(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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At Feet First Foot Care Specialists one of the conditions we see frequently in our Middlesex County patients is the ingrown toenail. Many people mistakenly ignore the first signs of pain associated with a nail that starts to grow down and back into the skin surrounding the nail. However, it quickly progresses to a condition that is incredibly painful. The toe becomes red, swollen, and very tender to the touch and makes wearing shoes and walking extremely difficult. Left untreated, an infection can also set in.
The most frequent reason ingrown toenails develop is improper nail care. Nails that are cut too short are more likely to grow into the skin. Rounding the edges with a nail file can also encourage ingrown nails.
At the first sign of a nail becoming ingrown, soak your foot in warm, soapy water several times a day. This will soften the skin and enable you to massage the skin and hopefully work the nail out. Usually, our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas sees ingrown toenails when they have reached the excruciating stage and patients can’t stand it any longer. The foot doctor will gently numb the affected nail and remove the corner of the nail that is ingrown. For some patients, ingrown toenails are a recurring problem. In severe cases, the podiatrist may need to perform a procedure to prevent the nail from becoming ingrown.
It’s important not to attempt any “bathroom surgeries” on your own and try to cut out an ingrown toenail. This will often lead to an injury or infection. Beware that folk remedies such as sticking a piece of cotton between the nail and the toe or cutting a notch out of the toenail are also ineffective and harmful.
If you have an ingrown toenail that needs treatment, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment today.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know walking has more benefits than ever for our Middlesex County patients.
During the pandemic, walking has the added benefit of being done while maintaining a safe social distance. Convinced you should try it?
Choose the Right Shoes—the only piece of equipment you need for walking is a pair of good walking shoes. Buy your shoes at a store specializing in sports and fitness footwear, and get your feet professionally measured. If our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, has prescribed a custom orthotic, make sure you bring it with you to try on with the walking shoes you are considering purchasing. Improper footwear can cause many podiatric issues, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and ankle injuries.
Follow a Sound Program—if you’re new to walking for fitness or have been inactive for an extended period, be sure to choose a regimen that has you starting slowly and gradually building in intensity and duration. You should also stretch before and after walking to reduce the risk of injury and soreness.
Listen to Your Feet—while a little bit of soreness is normal for muscles getting a workout, pain, whether acute or intermittent, is not. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring discomfort when walking can lead to a stress fracture, Achilles tendonitis, or other debilitating injuries. If you experience pain while walking or after you stop, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment as soon as possible to get it evaluated.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know it’s the time of year when ghosts and goblins appear, and scary images abound for Halloween. However, when it comes to caring for your feet, fear shouldn’t be a factor. With podiatric issues, the trick is not waiting to seek evaluation and treatment. If you see something unusual happening to your feet or you experience any pain or discomfort, it’s essential you contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment.
Xerosis—is not uncommon as we get into the colder weather months we see patients with this condition, which is very dry skin. The heat in our homes, cars, and offices dries the skin. Frequent hot showers and the type of soap you use can also play a role. Most of the time, the diligent application of a rich moisturizer to the feet several times a day will take care of xerosis. Less frequently, however, intensely dry skin can be a sign of another problem such as diabetes. For this reason, it’s best to let the foot doctor take a look.
Onychomycosis—yikes! You might be concerned if the foot doctor delivered this diagnosis. That is until you learn this is the medical term for toenail fungus. Although this condition may be stubborn and take some time to clear up, it is rarely a serious problem if treated promptly. The podiatrist will determine the best way to deal with your fungal infection and may use topical or oral medications or a procedure known as debridement, which removes the infected area of the nail.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome—many of our Middlesex County patients have started running or walking to stay in shape safely during the pandemic. And this means an increase in the number of cases of this condition—more commonly known as shin splints—that we expect to see in our office. Pain on the sides of your shin bones, which may be accompanied by swelling and tenderness, can be caused by arch problems, a muscle imbalance, or even improper footwear.
No foot condition is too scary for us! If you have a foot or ankle problem, contact us today.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know most of our Middlesex County patients can easily identify a hammertoe by the telltale hammer-like appearance of a toe. Still, they may not be as familiar with the cause or progression of this deformity.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary about any of your toes, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416