Just to be clear, when we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists say, “examine your feet,” we’re not talking about conducting a physical examination with the aim of diagnosing foot pain or other unusual symptoms. It is, of course, the job of our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. What we mean is regularly inspecting your feet for changes or signs that may indicate a developing podiatric problem.

Many toes, foot, and ankle disorders may first manifest with small, subtle signs that, if detected in these early stages, can help you prevent or significantly decrease the severity of a foot problem. For example, patients with diabetes may first notice a loss of sensation or strange tingling or burning in their feet. A progressive condition like a bunion or hammertoe doesn’t suddenly develop overnight. Getting in the habit of regularly inspecting your feet will help you become familiar with what your feet “normally” look like and make it easy to spot any changes. Below are some areas to focus on:

  • Appearance—stand with your feet together and look down at them. Does one foot look more swollen than the other? Do you notice any toes that appear to be moving out of alignment or bending abnormally? Now sit down and look at your feet up close. Do you see any bumps, lumps, or growths? What about unexplained bruises or sores?
  • Skin—the skin on your feet may be trying to tell you something. A bluish tinge, for example, may indicate a circulation problem. Any discoloration or rashes should be monitored. Freckles or moles should be watched for changes in size, shape, color, and borders. These can be signs of skin cancer, which can occur on your feet just like other parts of your body. Be vigilant about moisturizing dry, flaky skin to prevent cracks from developing, which can bleed and provide an entry point for a bacterial infection.
  • Nails—toenails that are discolored, crumbling, or thickening may have a fungal infection. A toenail that turns black may indicate repetitive stress from a sport or shoes that are too small.

If you spot any changes in your toes or feet or start to experience any pain, burning, or numbness anywhere in your feet, it's important that you contact our Cromwell office call 860-632-5499 promptly for evaluation and treatment if necessary.

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We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

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162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416