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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for: October, 2021

October 25, 2021
Category: Foot Condtions

It’s the time of year for frightening ghost stories and ghoulish costumes, and at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to join in the Halloween spirit with three foot disorders whose names may strike fear into our Middlesex County patients but, really, are nothing to dread.

  1. Onychomycosis—You may better know this condition as toenail fungus. While not usually a serious threat to your health, it can have some gruesome symptoms, including a thickened, brownish-yellow appearance and a foul smell. Fungal toenail infections can spread to the skin or fingernails. Often accompanied by a secondary bacterial or yeast infection, our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, should treat this. You can help prevent onychomycosis by keeping your feet clean and dry and avoiding wearing tight socks and not walking barefoot in public places.
  2. Black Toenail—If you have one of these, you may feel like an alien or like you have some ghastly disease, but it is quite common if you are a runner. The frequent, repetitive pounding of your toes up against the inside of your sneakers can cause bleeding between the nail plate and the nail bed. A black toenail is also common if you have recently dropped a heavy object on your toe or stubbed it badly.
  3. Tinea Pedis— “I have what???” Relax, tinea pedis is the official medical term for athlete’s foot. And although the itching may make you feel like you’re going insane, this condition is treatable with a topical or oral antifungal medication prescribed by the podiatrist. You can reduce your risk for athlete’s foot by keeping your feet dry. If you tend to perspire heavily, have a spare pair of socks in your bag or desk and change when you feel your feet are damp. Don’t share items that touch other people’s feet, as tinea pedis is highly contagious and transmitted by direct contact.

No foot symptom is too scary for your podiatrist! If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms or have noticed unsightly changes in your feet, don’t hesitate to contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment.


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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 18, 2021
Category: Foot Condtions

In October, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists recognize Raynaud’s Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “Raynaud’s is Far From Rare,” emphasizes that this disease, while widespread, is not well known.

See how much you know about Raynaud’s by taking our true/false quiz below:

  • True or False: Raynaud’s is more prevalent than leukemia, Parkin’s disease, and multiple sclerosis combined.

A: True. In the U.S., it’s estimated that between 15 and 30 million people have Raynaud’s Disease. Only one in ten seek treatment, however.

  • True or False: Everyone has the same risk of getting Raynaud’s.

A: False. While it’s possible for anyone at any age to get this condition, it affects more women than men. In fact, it’s believed to strike 20% of all women of childbearing age. Raynaud’s is also most likely to start between the ages of 15 and 30.

  • True or False: Cold toes and fingers are a symptom of Raynaud’s.

A: True. But for people with this condition, the discomfort is more extreme. People with Raynaud’s may experience numbness, throbbing, and pain in their fingers and toes. The skin will also turn blue or white. Vasospasms cause these symptoms in the small blood vessels, which restrict blood flow to these areas.

  • True or False: Only people who live in cold climates get Raynaud’s.

A: False. While cold weather triggers Raynaud’s, air conditioning can also trigger or taking something out of the freezer or cold water. In addition, stress also appears to be a significant trigger for Raynaud’s.

  • True or False: Doctors know what causes Raynaud’s, and there are medications to treat it.

A: False and false. Raynaud’s cause is unknown, although certain factors have been identified to increase the risk of developing this condition. These include family history, smoking, taking certain medications, and others. Raynaud’s can also be associated with more serious medical problems like lupus and arterial disease. While there is no medication or cure, doctors can help you identify triggers and reduce discomfort and frequency of attacks.

If you have concerns about your feet and Raynaud’s, contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment so our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can evaluate your feet and determine the source of your symptoms.


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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 11, 2021
Category: community outreach

Each year in October, we celebrate International Podiatry Day. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we think one way to honor this special event is by asking our Middlesex County patients to commit to taking better care of their feet.

Good foot care guidelines include:

  • Wear the right shoes for the activity you’re doing. For walking, running, or other fitness activities, choose athletic shoes—don’t try to work out in your work shoes.
  • Inspect your feet regularly. Be on the lookout for changes in the color or temperature of the skin, growths or lumps, discolored toenails, swelling, bruises, cuts, or wounds that don’t seem to be healing. Report anything suspicious to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash daily with soap and water and dry thoroughly—especially between your toes. If your feet feel sweaty during the day, change your socks and consider applying foot powder or roll-on deodorant to the soles of your feet each morning. It will significantly reduce your risk of fungal infections.
  • Choose good-quality shoes that fit well. Look for styles that have adequate arch support, cushioned insoles and heel beds, and a good tread. Get professionally measured to ensure you’re wearing the correct size. Always try on both shoes and walk around in them long enough to know they fit comfortably.
  • Trim toenails properly. Cut straight across and file with no rounded edges. It will help prevent ingrown toenails.
  • Alternate your shoes. Avoid wearing the same pair for multiple days in a row.
  • Don’t play foot doctor. Steer clear of folk and home remedies for conditions like warts and ingrown nails. These can be dangerous and cause injury and infection.
  • Never ignore foot pain. It’s your feet telling you there’s a problem, and it’s not likely to go away on its own. Foot problems have the best outcome when treated early. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet or ankles, contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 05, 2021
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know many of our Middlesex County patients have been struggling after COVID stay-at-home orders to get back into wearing regular shoes daily. This difficulty may be even greater if the shoes you’re going back to are high heels. It is an excellent time to consider making a permanent move away from high-heeled footwear.

Extended periods spent in high heels have many detrimental effects on your feet and other parts of your body, including increased risk for:

Mitigating the Damage

However, high heels have been a staple in the fashion industry for better or worse, and they don’t show signs of going away any time soon. If you are someone who finds it hard to part with their heels, you can at least take steps to reduce the harm to your feet and the rest of your lower body. Some suggestions:

  • Reduce the amount of time you spend in heels. Perhaps you could save them for only special occasions and transition to wearing better shoes for your feet for work and less formal events.
  • Don’t wear your heels to and from your festivities. Travel in comfortable shoes and change when or right before you arrive.
  • Make sure you are wearing the correct size shoe and strive to find styles that are not super pointy or narrow in the toe box.
  • Consider wider heels to increase stability.
  • Keep your weight under control. Being overweight adds to the strain on your feet.

If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, weakness, or other discomforts, contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment. Whether the source of your symptoms is your shoes or something else, it’s important to have foot pain evaluated and treated promptly to avoid long-term disability.


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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416