Foot Circulation

When you walk into an appointment with your podiatrist, you may have noticed that observation plays an important part in their evaluation of your foot health. Before the doctor even touches you, they are looking at the color of your skin, its hydration and the presence of hair. Why?

Biologically the skin is the largest organ on our bodies and many problems can be detected just by assessing it. For example, skin color is directly related to the amount of blood circulation in that area. If blood circulation to the foot is normal, the skin will appear a healthy pink. Another indicator of good circulation is the presence of hair on your toes and feet. The doctor takes all this into consideration when determining your foot health.

When the doctor starts to touch your feet it is to feel for skin suppleness, skin temperature, and pulses. Good circulation to your feet means that all the tissues of your feet such as the bones, muscles, ligaments and skin are able to get essential nutrients and oxygen to help them survive. Nutrients and oxygen are essential for cell repair and vitality. In addition, waste products made by these tissues will be carried away the blood to be expelled from the body. Blood flow to your feet also helps to keep skin supple and brings warmth to your feet.

Arteries are the blood vessels that take blood pumped by the heart to different areas of the body. They are direct extensions from the heart and just as the heart has a beat, so do the arteries. However, an artery beat is referred to as a pulse. With proper blood flow and unobstructed arteries your feet will get the nutrients it needs and the doctor can detect this by feeling your pulses.

What factors or ailments can lead to poor foot circulation?
Smoking
Obesity
Inactive/sedentary lifestyle
Diabetes
Increased age

If you feel that you may have poor circulation in your feet, it is important to see your podiatrist as soon as possible. Inadequate circulation to the feet may lead to very serious complications. Talk to your podiatrist on ways to manage and improve your foot health!

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center
101 6th St Nw
Winter Haven, Fl 33881
Phone: (863) 299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com

How to Cut Your Toenails

Clipping toenails – it seems like an everyday, mundane task, but the technique behind it is more important than you may think. Improper technique can lead to pain, ingrown toenails, and infection. What follows are tips on how to cut your toenails to avoid some of these problems.

§ If you have diabetes, or any other problems with circulation, it is important to have a trained professional do this work for you. A healthcare professional, like a podiatrist, will help you avoid injury and infection that is very common with diabetic patients.

§ Use the proper equipment. Toenail clippers are wider than fingernail clippers. They are made to handle the wider and thicker nails of the foot. You can keep your toenail clippers clean by disinfecting them with some rubbing alcohol before and after use.

§ Straight Cuts. You want to cut straight across the edge of the toenail, without curving the corners. This will help you to avoid ingrown toenails, which is when the corner of the nail grows into the skin. Also, keep your nails a little long. Cutting the nails too short is another way to get ingrown toenails, plus it can really hurt.

§ A Few Small Cuts. Don’t try to get the whole nail in one clip. Instead, make a few, smaller cuts across the whole nail. This will give you more control, and you’ll be able to shape the nail a whole lot easier, without getting into the corners.

§ Cut When Dry. Cutting your nails when they are wet, such as after bathing, is never a good idea. Wet nails are much easier to rip and tear, which can lead to cutting the nails to short, or tearing at the nail matrix, the living tissue underneath the nail. Instead, trim your nails when they are dry, perhaps before bathing.

§ One Way Filing. If you like to file your nails, file in one direction, straight across the free edge of the nail. Filing can be an easier way to trim the nails, and an easier way to shape them so they look nice.

§ Don’t Cut the Cuticles. This can lead to infection, irritation, and pain. If you want to do anything to them, use a cuticle stick to push them back a little bit, but be careful not to dig into the skin. You can buy a cuticle stick at most pharmacies.

§ Timing may vary. Different people’s toenails grow at different rates. One person may have to trim them once a week, while others can go several weeks between trims. When you think it’s time to trim them, go ahead. Just be careful not to trim them too short.

Follow, these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy nail regimen. If you have any additional questions or concerns, or if you notice any changes in the nail, contact a local podiatrist. Changes in the nail can often indicate disease, and should be dealt with promptly.

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center
101 6th St Nw
Winter Haven, Fl 33881
Phone: (863) 299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com