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

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Posts for tag: Athlete's foot

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 22, 2022
Category: Foot Care

Every June, we celebrate Men's Health Month, a national observance used to raise awareness about health care for men. The focus is on encouraging boys, men, and their families to implement and practice healthy living. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, men in the United States die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries. The hustle and bustle of everyday life cause many health problems among men. Due to a lack of awareness and education, many men do not come out with their problems and seek professional help. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, our patients are our priority. We want to remind everyone of the importance of taking care of oneself. Below are suggestions for observing Men's Health Month (regardless of age or sex). 

  1. Tweak Your Diet. Cut back on alcohol this month or up your intake of healthy fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. Find a new heart-healthy recipe and try using fresh herbs.
  2. Cultivate New Habits. Set small, achievable goals and work with your doctor to make them a reality.
  3. Get Educated on The Topic. It is an excellent opportunity to read about the common health issues specific to men. Check out the CDC for information on health issues that men face. Or check out more of our blog articles for further details.
  4. Go For a Nature Walk. It is one of the best free-of-cost health initiatives. Call a friend or go on a solo walk—anything to get your heart pumping and fresh air in your lungs.
  5. Protect Your Feet in Public. Public locker rooms and showers are hot spots for bacteria because of the warm and humid environment. Always make sure to wear shower sandals that can protect your feet from exposure to bacteria. It is also true for walking barefoot.
  6. Avoid Injury. Active men and women face the risk of ankle and foot injuries. Therefore, paying close attention to how your feet and ankles feel is essential. Do your shoes fit comfortably? Are you taking care of your feet? If you have any questions or concerns concerning your feet or ankles, Feet First Foot Care specialists are here to help! Call our Middlesex County office to schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas. 
  7. Cleanse Feet Daily. Washing feet daily is not only the best way to eliminate unpleasant foot odor but also the best way to prevent many common fungal infections, including athlete's foot. Exfoliating the feet can help remove bacteria and dirt buildup. Most people think exfoliation is only for women who want smooth and beautiful skin, but it's just as good for men. It's best to do it at least once or twice a week with a good quality scrub to keep your feet healthy.
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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 14, 2022

Psoriasis is a common, recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin. Lesions are another common and painful sign of psoriasis. Psoriasis can be tricky to identify when it is on your feet, usually disguising as other common foot issues such as athlete's foot and other fungal infections. So how can you tell if a rash is psoriasis? 

Symptoms Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis symptoms are primarily found in areas surrounding the nails, scalp, elbows, shins, feet, and almost everywhere on the body. There are various types of psoriasis, all of which may look different. Some patients may also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful inflammation in the joints. The most common symptoms include:

  • Thickened patches of skin
  • Cracks or splits in the skin
  • Redness and scaling of the skin
  • Swelling
  • Blistering

When any of the above symptoms occur on your feet or ankles, it can be especially debilitating. If you have any concerns about the appearance of your feet, don't hesitate to contact our Middlesex County office at (860)-632-5499.

Causes Of Psoriasis

Doctors do not fully understand what causes psoriasis. Most believe there is a connection to an auto-immune disease that causes an overactive generation of new cells in a concentrated area. Particular genes and certain environmental conditions may also contribute to an increased risk of psoriasis. While psoriasis is a recurrent disease, it is not contagious, and symptoms can be reduced.

Psoriasis Treatment

Try these self-care measures to help prevent symptoms of psoriasis:

  • Keep your skin moist
  • Cover the affected areas overnight
  • Expose your skin to small amounts of sunlight
  • Avoid scratching the affected area(s)
  • Avoid anything that may trigger your psoriasis
  • Stay cool
  • Strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle

It is always important to check in with your podiatrist if you have any questions or concerns when it comes to your feet. If you think you or a loved one may have psoriasis and are unsure, we are here to help you at Feet First Foot Care! Our patients are our priority. With advanced technology, our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can treat a wide range of conditions and provide the best care. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information.

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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, LLC
July 07, 2020
Category: Foot conditions

At Feet First Foot Care, we’re hearing from many of our Middlesex County patients that they are taking up the sport of running. The pandemic has made some people re-think their fitness plans, and running while maintaining safe social distance and avoiding venues where there are many other people. We applaud our patients for making regular exercise a priority but also want to help protect them from some podiatric problems that runners often face.

Here are some common injuries and disorders associated with running and how to prevent them:

  1. Achilles Tendonitis—this inflammation of the long tendon that runs along the back of your lower leg from calf to heel is especially common in new runners or those who are becoming active again after a long period of inactivity. Being overly enthusiastic and jumping into long, intense runs without the proper conditioning can result in severe pain to the Achilles tendon. Running hills and sprints can also increase the risk of this condition. Start slowly and increase the pace and duration gradually. Be sure to include stretches for the calves in your warm-ups and cooldowns.

  2. Ankle Sprains—landing the wrong way on your foot and twisting an ankle can happen when you run. If you have chronic weak ankles, be sure the running shoes you purchase will provide firm ankle support. Choose a place to run such as a school track, that is unlikely to have holes, divots, or debris that can cause an ankle-twisting to occur.

  3. Athlete’s Foot—you may not associate fungal infection with running.  However, your feet will be spending regular time in a moist, dark, warm place (your sneakers!), and those are the perfect breeding conditions for bacteria and fungi. Don’t wear the same pair of socks for more than one day and air out your shoes between runs. Practice good basic hygiene and wash your feet daily. Use an antifungal or foot powder if foot odor is a problem.

  4. Heel Pain—the repetitive pressure your heels experience when running can result in pain. If you have flat feet or a tendency to overpronate, you may also have an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot, which can also lead to heel pain. Additional arch support or a custom orthotic may help.

The bottom line is if you experience any acute or ongoing pain or discomfort after you start a running program, it’s essential that you contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and determine the source of the discomfort before a worse injury occurs.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 25, 2019
Category: foot safety

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know many of our young patients are enjoying fall sports. There are many benefits to sports including learning how to be part of a team and getting regular physical activity. It can also be a cause of several foot and ankle problems, however. Below are six tips for ensuring that your child enjoys a safe sports season.

  1. Start the season with new shoes. Each sport requires specific movements of the feet. Today’s shoes are designed to protect feet and maximize performance. Get sports shoes that are made for the sport your child is doing and get them professionally fitted.
  2. Sock choice matters. Choose socks that provide some degree of cushioning and that also wick moisture away from the skin. Sweaty, damp feet are more likely to develop fungal infections. Be sure to bring the socks you plan to use to the shoe store and try on with the sports shoes you are buying.
  3. Insist on safe surfaces. Fields with divots and holes and tracks or courts with cracks in the asphalt are all risks to the health and safety of your child. If playing areas need attention, bring it up with the school or town to prevent ankle sprains and other injuries.
  4. Avoid athlete’s foot in the locker room. Make sure your child has a pair of flip flops or shower shoes to wear in the gym shower. Remind them not to share towels or soap either.
  5. Give it a rest. When children play a sport in every season and do not allow developing bones, muscles and ligaments a break, overuse injuries such as Sever’s disease are more likely to occur.
  6. Get pain checked out promptly. If your child sustains an injury on the field or complains of ongoing pain after practices, be sure to make an appointment at our Cromwell office. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your child’s feet and ankles and determine the best course of treatment.
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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416