Items filtered by date: July 2024

Athlete's foot, a common fungal infection, thrives in warm, moist environments like locker rooms and swimming pools. Symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, peeling skin between toes. To prevent it, keep your feet clean and dry, wear breathable footwear, and avoid walking barefoot in public areas. Treatment options range from over-the-counter antifungal creams and powders to prescription medications for persistent infections. Maintaining good foot hygiene, such as washing feet daily and drying them thoroughly, is important. If symptoms persist or worsen despite self-care measures, a podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis, recommend appropriate medications, and provide tips to prevent recurrence. Prompt treatment not only alleviates discomfort but also prevents the spread of the infection to other parts of the body or to others. If you suffer from athlete’s foot, it is suggested you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a treatment plan.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctors of Utica.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Herkimer, and New Hartford, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Corns, those pesky patches of thickened skin, can turn a simple walk into agony. Identifying them is key. Look for hardened areas on toes or feet, often with a cone-like shape pointing inward. They are caused by friction and pressure, typically from wearing ill-fitting shoes or repetitive actions. Treating corns involves gentle methods like soaking the feet in warm water, using a pumice stone to smooth the area, and moisturizing to prevent recurrence. Avoid over-the-counter corn removal products, as they can damage healthy skin. For persistent corns, or if you are unsure about treatment, it is wise to seek advice from a podiatrist. They can provide professional care, assess your foot health, and recommend appropriate courses of action. Do not let corns slow you down. It is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for personalized guidance and relief. 

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctors of Utica. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Herkimer, and New Hartford, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Poor circulation, particularly from peripheral artery disease, or PAD, can significantly affect the health of your feet. PAD occurs when arteries narrow, reducing blood flow to the extremities, most commonly affecting the legs and feet. This diminished blood flow can cause leg pain, numbness, and weakness, which often worsen during physical activity and may persist even at rest. Additional symptoms can include cold feet, pale skin, and changes in toenail health, such as slower growth, thickening, deformation, or discoloration. These issues arise because the reduced blood flow prevents your feet from receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients. In severe cases, PAD can lead to critical limb ischemia, where chronic lack of blood flow results in ulcers, gangrene, and tissue damage. Managing PAD typically involves lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and controlling diabetes. If you experience any signs of poor circulation in your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and effective treatment plan to prevent serious complications.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctors of Utica. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Herkimer, and New Hartford, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus involves using focused light beams to target and eliminate fungal infections in the nail bed. This non-invasive procedure is considered both safe and effective, offering a promising alternative to traditional antifungal medications. The laser penetrates the nail to reach the underlying fungus, disrupting its growth and ultimately destroying it. Many patients experience significant improvement after just a few sessions, with minimal side effects. Unlike oral medications, laser treatment does not carry the risk of systemic side effects, making it a suitable option for those who cannot tolerate pharmaceuticals. While results can vary, and complete eradication may require multiple treatments, laser therapy remains a highly viable method for combating stubborn toenail fungus. If you have developed toenail fungus, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine if laser treatment is the correct treatment option for you.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctors of Utica. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Herkimer, and New Hartford, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Apophysitis and osteochondrosis are common causes of pain in growing bones, often affecting children and teenagers. Apophysitis happens when growth plates, the areas where bones grow, become irritated from overuse or stress, sometimes affecting the feet. Osteochondrosis occurs when the bone underneath a joint's cartilage does not get enough blood, leading to pain and inflammation. These conditions usually occur during growth spurts, when bones, muscles, and tendons are rapidly changing. Activities like running, jumping, or participating in sporting activities can put extra stress on these growing areas. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and tenderness near the affected bone or joint. The pain might worsen with activity and improve with rest. Treatment involves resting the affected area. Stretching and strengthening exercises, guided by a podiatrist, can also help. If your child is suffering from any kind of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctors of Utica. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Herkimer, and New Hartford, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.