Bunions are a foot problem that can affect men and women of all ages. This condition, which develops as excessive bone growth on the big toe, can make walking an uncomfortable endeavor. The reasons why bunions form vary. Lifestyle choices can influence the development of bunions. For instance, women who wear high heels typically suffer from this condition more often than individuals who avoid this type of footwear. Foot doctors have also noted a hereditary link, as individuals with bunions tend to have siblings or parents with the same problem. This commonality may stem from genetic factors that cause the bones of the foot to be vulnerable to the condition.

Are you suffering from bunions? Let the Family Foot Center attend to your foot needs. For more than 25 years, Dr. Stanley Zawada has been helping individuals in the Bayside, College Point, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, and Whitestone communities enjoy healthy and pain-free feet. To see Dr. Zawada, call us today at (347) 625-5256.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that can cause pain from the heel to the ball of the foot. This video offers exercise suggestions to stretch the feet and minimize plantar fasciitis pain.

Experts recommend that you perform all exercises before you get out of bed in the morning. Each activity aims to stimulate blood flow to and loosen the tissues of the plantar fascia. Curling and flexing your toes is one such exercise that can alleviate plantar fasciitis discomfort. Rolling a ball under the length of your feet can do the same. Alternating your balance from the heels to the toes of your feet can relax the plantar fascia as well.

Is plantar fasciitis interfering with your daily activities? Call Family Foot Center in Whitestone at (347) 625-5256 to schedule an appointment for your foot pain.

Do you have an ingrown toenail? This common foot problem has several distinct characteristics. For example, ingrown toenails often produce tremendous discomfort in the immediate problem area. They can also cause the affected region to become swollen or red. If these symptoms coincide with your own, speak to a foot doctor about your condition. As the following information highlights, ingrown toenails that go untreated can evolve into more serious concerns.

Why do ingrown toenails develop?

Overly tight footwear tends often leads to the development of ingrown toenails. Toes require space in shoes. If footwear does not provide the room that toes need, it can force the toenail into the surrounding skin. Over time, an ingrown toenail can develop. A sudden incident can produce an ingrown toenail as well. If you kick a hard object with enough force, it may cause the nail to puncture the skin.

What problems can result from ingrown toenails?

Due to their location, ingrown toenails can provide the catalyst for other foot problems. While inside a shoe, the foot is often exposed to damp, dark, and warm conditions. These factors can make an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. If those bacteria breach the wound site, it can cause an infection. This infection can grow and spread to other parts of the foot or into the bloodstream. Individuals with diabetes are particularly susceptible to this problem.

How can a foot doctor alleviate your ingrown toenail issues?

A foot doctor has the means to attend to your ingrown toenail, eliminate its side effects, and provide instruction on how to prevent future ingrown toenails. Depending on why the ingrown toenail developed, your foot doctor may suggest alternate footwear or different foot hygiene techniques. He can also monitor your foot to ensure that any possible infection is quickly addressed and healed.

Let Dr. Zawada of Family Foot Center provide the relief you need for your ingrown toenail. Our Whitestone office can alleviate your pain and any other foot complications. To set up an appointment, call us today at (347) 625-5256.

Plantar warts are virus-induced and grow on the feet. Anybody can get them, but those most susceptible include children, teenagers, and people who have a weakened immune system. Read on for information about the causes and symptoms of plantar warts.

Causes
Plantar warts are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the outer layer of skin on the sole of the foot. Although there are more than 100 types of HPV, there are only a few that can cause warts on the feet. Every person’s immune system responds differently to the virus, so not everyone who comes into contact with the warts develops them. Plantar warts aren’t easily transmitted through direct contact from one person to another, because the HPV strains that cause them aren’t very contagious. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments, such as public locker rooms, swimming areas, and shower floors. A person can contract the virus by walking barefoot around these types of places. To infect, the virus must have a point of entry into the skin. This can be in the form of cuts, scrapes, cracks in dry skin, or skin that is fragile and softened from prolonged water exposure.

Symptoms
Plantar warts form as fleshy, small, grainy lesions on the soles of the feet. These lesions interrupt the normal ridges and lines found in skin. A callus might form over the spot on the skin where the wart has formed and grown inward. Plantar warts can also create black pinpoints on the skin, which are clotted blood vessels. A person who has developed plantar warts will feel tenderness when standing or walking, causing their normal posture or gait to be affected. These differences in standing and walking can lead to muscle and joint discomfort.

When to See a Doctor
A person should seek medical assistance if their lesions change in appearance, become painful, or interfere with daily activities. If warts persist or spread despite home treatment, a doctor can closely monitor a treatment plan. It is important to seek treatment to avoid further damage to the foot and surrounding muscles and joints.

The medical team at Family Foot Center treats a variety of ailments, including plantar warts, heel pain, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, and bunions. If you are in need of podiatric attention, visit our website or call (347) 625-5256 to schedule a consultation.