Ingrown toenails can cause pain and infection. This video discusses what you can do to avoid them.

Part of the key to preventing ingrown toenails is choosing the right type of footwear. Podiatrists recommend wearing shoes with ample space in the toe area. Footwear that constricts movement of the toes can encourage nails to penetrate surrounding skin. When trimming your nails, cut straight across each one, which can also help to lessen your risk of ingrown toenails. Also, take a few minutes each day to thoroughly wash your feet. By removing bacteria that can grow on your feet and between your toes, you can reduce the possibility of infection from ingrown toenails.

Are ingrown toenails making your life painful? Then call Family Foot Center at (347) 625-5256 for an appointment with a foot doctor at our Whitestone office.

Have you been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis? This foot problem can make even a trip to the kitchen a painful proposition. While your podiatrist can administer medication and other forms of treatment to assuage your symptoms, you too can take steps at home to alleviate your condition.

Assess Your Footwear
Pain and stiffness from plantar fasciitis can persist when you fail to wear supportive shoes, so take a few minutes to inspect your footwear. Do they have adequate arch construction? Are they too short or narrow for your feet? Having shoes that properly fit your feet and support your arches can lessen your plantar fasciitis symptoms. Getting the right athletic footwear is especially important, as running, jumping, and other weight-bearing exercises can produce hundreds of pounds of force on your feet.

Switch to a New Sport
Physical activity is integral to enjoying a healthy mind and body, but if your choice of exercise is contributing to your plantar fasciitis, you may want to consider altering your workout regimen. As mentioned, any sport that generates pressure on the plantar fascia can cause a flare-up of your plantar fasciitis problems. If you normally run, play basketball, or engage in another activity that keeps you on your feet, try a new activity. Both biking and swimming can reduce the incidence of stress on your feet and calm your plantar fasciitis discomfort.

Warm Up Your Feet
Regardless of your exercise routine, you can help your plantar fasciitis by giving your feet a quick workout each day. The plantar fascia is usually at its most vulnerable in the morning since it has been out of use for several hours. This tends to make it stiff, which can increase pain. To ward off discomfort, make feet warmups part of your morning ritual. Loosen the plantar fascia by rolling a ball under your feet or gently stretch your toes to heat up affected ligaments.

Don’t let plantar fasciitis prevent you from living a full and healthy life. Family Foot Center can provide the treatment options you need to alleviate this painful condition. For more information on how our Whitestone office can help you, call (347) 625-5256.

If you experience foot discomfort when running or jumping, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. Podiatrists cite inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament that resides along the bottom of the foot, as the cause this condition. When inflammation is great, it can leave you unable to even walk without the sensation of pain. The following questions and answers can help you better understand plantar fasciitis and ways to relieve it.

Why does plantar fasciitis develop?
Plantar fascia inflammation most often occurs because the tissues that comprise it have torn or become weakened. This may happen due to one or more reasons. For instance, the plantar fascia can become irritated if you wear shoes that do not adequately protect it. Flip-flops and other types of footwear with little arch support can contribute to this problem. Even with proper footwear, though, the plantar fascia can become inflamed from excessive exertion. Many athletic individuals suffer from plantar fasciitis due to the strain that their active lifestyles put on their feet.

What signs indicate the presence of plantar fasciitis?
Many people with plantar fasciitis complain of pain at the bottom of the foot. This pain can be present even if you are not participating in a sport or other physical activity. Because the tissue of the plantar fascia is inflamed, the surrounding area may also become tender or stiff, making any type of movement by foot uncomfortable.

How can a podiatrist help plantar fasciitis pain?
If you suspect that you have plantar fasciitis, you may want to consider seeing a foot doctor. A podiatrist can isolate the factors contributing to your condition and recommend strategies to remedy your symptoms. Treatment options may include both prescription medications and lifestyle changes. Seeking treatment before plantar fasciitis has the chance to progress can prevent the need for more aggressive measures in the future.

Dr. Stanley J. Zawada and the staff at Family Foot Center want you to enjoy life free from the pain of plantar fasciitis. To schedule a consultation about your condition, contact us at (347) 625-5256. You can also visit our website for additional information on our full range of services for those in the greater Whitestone community.

When warts grow on your arms or hands, they can be a nuisance. When they develop on your feet, however, they can become a painful condition that obstructs your ability to move with ease. The good news is that a foot doctor can successfully remove your warts with swift and convenient treatment methods. If you suffer from any of the following foot wart problems, consult a foot doctor as soon as possible.

Growth of Periungual Warts

Have you noticed the development of warts around your toenails? Then you may have periungual warts. This specific type of wart can circle the nail bed. It can also grow underneath it. In either case, it can disrupt healthy nail growth. Periungual warts can also become uncomfortable if they rub against the interior of your socks or shoes.

Incidence of Common Warts

If you notice warts on the tops or bottoms of your feet, you might have a common wart problem. Common warts have the ability to form on any skin surface, including that of the feet. Their arched appearance and dark color can make them conspicuous no matter where they develop. Because they grow above the surface of the skin, they can become painful when pressure is applied to them.

Development of Plantar Warts

People who get warts on their feet most frequently develop plantar warts. Because they often grow as a group, some individuals may mistakenly self-diagnose themselves with calluses. Like common warts, plantar warts can make walking, running, and other foot-related activities painful for sufferers. If you suspect that you have plantar warts, consider seeing a foot doctor who can quickly remove them from your feet and prevent the spread of more warts.

The Family Foot Center wants you to enjoy beautiful, healthy, and functional feet. We welcome all individuals in the greater Fresh Meadows Bayside, College Point, Whitestone, and Flushing regions to take advantage of our services for plantar warts, bunions, ingrown toenails, and more. For more information on our treatment options, call (347) 625-5256.