Not-So-Sunny Summer Shoes! Part 1

In order to accommodate all the diverse types of feet and personal preferences, footwear companies have developed an eclectic variation of shoes! It is probably safe to say there are more categories and styles of shoes available for women than there are for men! It probably comes as no surprise that a certain segment of the population (women, in particular are notorious for this) choose shoes based on their aesthetics first, comfort last. Personal taste should not be the only factor when it comes to purchasing footwear. Foot support, protection, and comfort should play the deciding roles! Certain styles of shoes should be avoided since they do not provide the above attributes and thus lead to foot pathologies! 

            The American Podiatric Medical Association conducted a survey and found that 82% of women are willing to sacrifice their foot health in the name of fashion! As much as shoes are considered art, shoes are also pieces of engineering. Each style of shoe has its own anatomy and is designed to accommodate your feet. However, not all shoes accommodate your foot properly or safely. 

Some of this summer’s top fashion trends are some of the worst styles for your feet. They cause problems ranging from minor irritation to bony changes that may require surgical intervention to correct! Despite the many ailments that certain varieties of shoes cause, health professionals have found it very difficult to sway women away from their beloved shoes.  Wearing shoes should not yield stress, pain and/or discomfort and place your foot in jeopardy. It is up to you to follow your healthcare provider’s advice on proper shoe gear and preservation of foot health! The best way to discourage the buying shoes that negatively impact foot health is to illustrate how a shoe can adversely affect your foot! Do not spend money on footwear that will destroy the integrity of your feet! Remember that feasible, fashion-forward shoes are the fad!

Take at the chart look below to see if your shoes match up with any of the styles listed! Check out the possible problems and some handy solutions that will help keep your feet in tip-top shape! 

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

Shin Splints! Are They Avoidable?

One of the most common injuries that runners suffer from is shin splints.  Shin splints can be a very painful experience, but it is fairly avoidable and very manageable.  What causes the pain is an overloading of the tibialis anterior muscle and the connective tissue that connects this muscle to the bone.  The tibialis anterior muscle connects to the outside of the shin bone, and plays a crucial role in keeping the foot stable while walking and running. 

            Because it is an overuse injury, shin splints are most often treated with “RICE” therapy – that is rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  Resting is most important, because further exercise will only further aggravate the condition.  Icing the area, as well as taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen will help to relieve some of the pain associated with shin splints.  Compression with a sock or specialized compression sleeve, as well as elevating the leg while resting will help as well. 

            In addition to RICE therapy, check the shoes you’re wearing when you get the shin splints.  If you’re running, look at your running shoes.  Do they fit properly?  Are they heavily worn on the bottoms?  Do they support your feet well?  If you’re walking when you get them, are you wearing proper walking shoes?  Sometimes wearing thin sandals while walking long distances can give you shin splints quickly. 

            Shin splints may be painful, but know that they are usually only temporary.  It is no reason to give up the morning walk or run.  One way to prevent getting shin splints to add strength training to your exercise routine.  Strengthening the muscles of the calves can help prevent ever getting shin splints, as these muscles help to balance the activity of the tibialis anterior during gait.  Also, wearing the proper shoes will help give your shins extra cushioning, preventing some of the impact that causes shin splints.  Adding low impact exercise will also help lessen the burden on your body in general.  Try mixing in swimming or biking to your exercise routine, or some low impact aerobics.

            As with any injury or pain that you’re suffering from, it’s important to tell a doctor about it if it doesn’t go away with rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  If the shin pain develops after a fall or other impact, a doctor will need to take x-rays to rule out a stress fracture or other type of injury.  

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

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

We all know we’re supposed to drink plenty of water, but how much is enough? Various studies have been conducted on the question, but the only consensus has been that water is vital to normal function. Our bodies, on average, are composed of around 60% water, making it the most abundant chemical of the human body.  Water is vital to virtually all of our bodily functions, making it critical to replace the water lost every day.  On average, we lose about 1.5 liters of water per day from urine output, as well as another liter from breathing, sweating, and other bodily functions. 

            One theory of how much water we should drink comes directly from this calculation.  The idea is to replace the water that we lose, approximately a liter and a half.  Another approach to this idea is the general rule of drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.  This is sometimes referred to as the 8x8 rule.  Still another idea is to follow daily recommended values for water.  These values are about 3 liters per day for men and about 2.2 liters per day for women.  This amounts to about 13 cups per day for men and about 9 cups per day for women.

            Of course, the amounts for all of these explanations are adjusted based on various factors, such as activity level, climate, health conditions or illness, and pregnancy.  For exercise lasting 20-30 minutes, an extra cup or two of water is necessary to replace fluid from sweating.  For longer exercise programs, especially those lasting over an hour, more fluid is needed.  Drinks with sodium and potassium are recommended, as these electrolytes are also lost in great numbers during extended periods of exercise.  Drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, or any other drink containing electrolytes will do.

            In warmer climates or in altitudes of over 8,000 feet, additional fluids are necessary.  Pregnant women will also have an increased demand for fluids, as well as those with a cold or flu.  Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever will increase the body’s need for water as well. 

            Though water is usually the best choice for staying hydrated, other fluids will do as well.  Sports drinks and juice will count towards the daily water intake, as well as soda and coffee.  Even beer and wine will count, though these should not be used as replacements for water. 

            Waiting until you’re thirsty to drink water may not be the best way to keep hydrated.  In fact, your body’s signal that you are thirsty is already a sign that you are dehydrated.  The best way to stay hydrated is by drinking a cup of water with each meal, as well as a cup in between in each meal. 

            A good way to judge whether or not you are getting enough water is to pay attention to your urine.  A healthy person’s urine is clear or light yellow.  If you’d like more help on getting the proper amount of fluids in your diet, you can talk to your doctor or a certified dietician.  

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

The “Ow” in Ingrown Toenails!

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown nail is defined as when the skin on one or both sides of a toenail develops over the nail edges or when the nail itself grows into the skin.

The medical term for the condition is onychocryptosis. Although it most commonly occurs on the big toe, the lesser toes may also be affected.

What are some reasons for ingrown toenail occurrence and the resulting pain?

Ingrown toenails may be caused by a variety of factors. They can have genetic origins; the nail is just too large for the toe or may be curved, leading to the predisposition of the condition. Or they may be due to trauma to the area such as stubbing your toe, dropping a heavy object or having it stepped on.

Improper clipping of toenails such as trimming too short leads to skin inflammation and shoe friction upon that skin further increases the pain. An impacted toenail can first be seen directly after improper grooming of toenails. The nail looks like it has been cut back too far and there is exposure of the pink tissue around the edge.

 Running often and hard leads to formation of ingrown toenails because the pressure on the toes from the shoes. Wearing tight shoes or shoes too small for the feet also lead to the condition because the toes have no room and the nails are becoming compressed.

How do you know that you have an ingrown toenail?

            Besides causing discomfort and pain, there are other indications that lead to the diagnosis of an ingrown toenail. The signs of a toe with an ingrown toenail are redness, swelling, tenderness and rigidity. In some cases, there may be pus drainage from the area of the impacted toenail. In addition, the condition will not fix itself and the nail will not correctly grow out. The nail keeps growing into the tissue surrounding it and increasing the severity of the pain. When you take a toenail clipper to the nail, it will become harder to trim the nail back. The skin around the ingrown toenail is very sensitive to touch and even contact with socks and shoes will inflict pain! In addition, an ingrown toenail may lead to infection causing further inflammation and pain!

            Read on further for more information on the prevention and treatment of ingrown toenails!  

The “Ow” in Ingrown Toenails! Part 2

Ingrown toenails are a common and uncomfortable foot condition that cause a lot of pain and discomfort. There are many reasons for ingrown toenail occurrence and some of those causes can be eliminated with education and hygiene.

What are ways to prevent an ingrown toenail?

            The most frequent causes of ingrown toenails are improper toenail clipping and tight shoe wear. Both of these reasons can be easily remedied.

Toenail clipping

            Many people are unaware that there is a certain technique involved when it comes to clipping toenails.  Toenails should never be longer than the tips of your toes, but do not cut them too short as to reveal the soft pink tissue underneath. This skin tissue is easily inflamed, causing pain.

When attempting to cut toenails, make sure to use proper toenail clippers. A normal nail cutter has slightly curved cutting edges while a toenail cutter has edges that are straight across in order to reduce the likelihood of ingrown toenails. Observe the natural line of your toenails and when grooming toenails make sure to trim them straight across. Do not round off or cut the corners of your nails or pry the corners when cutting.

Shoe wear

            Proper-fitting shoes are essential for good foot health. Small, tight shoes not only compress the toes and toenails, they do not allow your feet to breathe, lead to foot discomfort, and may even affect the biomechanics of your walking. When shoe shopping, do it in the late afternoon or evening because you feet are at their largest size. In addition, make sure your foot size is measured every time before purchasing shoes to ensure an appropriate fit.

What are treatments for an ingrown toenail?

            There are a variety of non-invasive and invasive (surgical) treatments for an ingrown toenail.

-          Soak your foot in warm water

-          Wear comfortable shoes with a sufficient room for your toes

-          Consider wearing open-toed shoes to prevent shoe material from touching the affected area

-          Take aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief

As soon as you detect an ingrown toenail make an appointment with your podiatrist! An ingrown toenail may be complicated by an infection, so it is best to leave your problem in their hands. In the case of an infection, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics. Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the offending part of the nail and prevent infection. A partial or complete nail avulsion is a procedure where the doctor injects anesthetic in your toe and then instruments are used to cut away the ingrown toenail portion without disturbing the nail bed. If you follow your podiatrist’s recommendations, you will minimize your discomfort and hopefully prevent the reoccurrence of the problem!       

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

Stinkin’ Feet!

Everyone has experienced the odor of shoe-confined, sweat-ridden feet! It is a phenomenon that either has occurred to you or to someone around you… and that unpleasant scent has traveled to your nose. Intense foot odor, also known as bromohidrosis, is a problem that millions of people experience every day!

Why does bromohidrosis happen?

            Bromohidrosis is primarily caused by wet, sweaty feet that find themselves confined in close-toed shoe wear. The feet have the most sweat glands than any other part of the body, almost 500,000 glands all together! Unfortunately, when feet are enclosed in shoes – the sweat has nowhere to evaporate and thus stays on your feet and in your shoes!

The warm temperatures and the moisture due to perspiration create an optimal environment for bacterial growth. Bromohidrosis is essentially the metabolic product isovaleric acid caused by the thriving bacteria in your shoes.

What causes sweaty feet?

            The condition of excessively sweaty feet is termed hyperhidrosis and is fundamental cause of foot odor. This disorder affects approximately 1% of the population. Other causes for more than normal perspiration leading to bromohidrosis are stress, hormonal changes and even some drugs. 

Is bromohidrosis dangerous?

Although bromohidrosis is uncomfortable and embarrassing, this foot condition is not a health hazard. However, bromohidrosis is a condition that should alert you that your feet and shoes are now home to plenty of bacteria. If not prevented or treated, toenail fungus may follow your sweaty predicament. Fungus also grows in the same type of environment as bacteria: dark, wet and warm. If you have a nail laceration or rupture, the organisms may find their way into your toe and spread in the area.

What are ways to prevent smelly feet?

-          Wear cotton or wool socks instead of those made of synthetic materials as these will help absorb moisture and allow your feet to breathe

-          Change your socks often, at least once a day to keep bacteria from taking hold

-          Wear open-toed shoes or minimize the wear of close-toed shoes

-          Practice good foot hygiene and shower regularly

-          Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them (especially between toes) and keep your feet dry

-          Dust your feet with foot powder to discourage sweating

-          Air out your shoes in natural sunlight

What treatment options are available for bromohidrosis?

            These options should be considered after you have tried preventing the condition. Consult your podiatrist about your problem and they may recommend stronger alternatives. Treatments may involve aluminum chloride hexahydrate 20% solution, electric current devices used to diminish sweating, or surgical intervention which involves cutting the nerve responsible for perspiration. Your medical professional will know the appropriate course of action for you and help you control this unpleasant problem!

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