Here’s a surprising statistic: According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet and 8 out of 10 women say their shoes hurt. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we want our patients to know that too-tight shoes can lead to a myriad of foot issues. Here are a few of the common foot problems we see due to improperly-fitting shoes:

• Ingrown toenails – if shoes are too tight in the toe box, toes get cramped in together. This greatly increases the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. A jagged-edged nail or one that is too short being shoved into the skin around the nail can start growing back into the skin. Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful and can lead to infection if the skin is penetrated and bacteria enter the wound.
• Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus – fungi and bacteria absolutely love damp, dark places with little or no air circulation. That sounds exactly like the environment created inside a shoe that’s too small!
• Bunions, hammertoes, or other deformities – when toes are forced into an unnatural position over and over, such as being crammed together in a small shoe, they can eventually work themselves out of their normal position. As displacement progresses, bones can become deformed, causing permanent disabilities as a new toe position can be painful and change a person’s gait.
• Corns, calluses, and blisters – these three issues are caused by friction or pressure being applied to an area of the foot repeatedly.

The best way to avoid any and all of these issues is to shop for shoes properly! Always have your feet measured by a professional when you shoe shop. Age or life conditions such as pregnancy can change your foot size and shape. If you know you need new shoes, try to go out shopping for them at the end of the day when your feet are their most swollen.

If you’ve got questions about fitting shoes, or if you’re dealing with any of the above-listed foot issues, give us a call today. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help to answer any questions you might have. He’s got years of experience to diagnose and treat any foot or ankle issue and get you back on your feet quickly. Our conveniently-located office serves the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

As temperatures dip and routines wane, it can be tough for many to stay active during the winter months. It’s tempting to slip into hibernation and push off exercise goals until better weather. Staying active through the winter can help your body stay healthy throughout the rest of the year too! If you’re not one who frequents the gym, check out these five easy tips to make exercise a regular activity even in the winter.

1. Try an indoor sport – soccer, basketball, volleyball, and a variety of other indoor sports are regularly provided by teams and intermural programs in a lot of places for a variety of skill levels. These sports are also great ways to meet new friends and stay social.
2. Check out a new winter sport – skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating are popular ways to stay active in the winter. Always remember to have all the right safety equipment you need. If it’s a new sport for you, lessons are a must to stay safe!
3. Get outside – make some snow angels, break out the sled, or start up a snowball fight with your kids. There are a lot of great, fun ways to get your heart pumping and your body active!
4. Stay moving indoors – if you’re not a fan of the cold, try ordering an exercise DVD to follow along with at home. There are many great yoga videos on YouTube – find one you like and stretch along. You can even just crank your tunes and get a dance party going to stay active!
5. Volunteer – the holiday times are prime opportunities to give back and it will keep you active too! Helping out at events, hospitals, shelters, and on projects in your neighborhood will make you feel good and keep your body healthy.

Whether you choose to start a habit of power-walking in a winter wonderland or try something brand new, be sure you have the proper shoes and gear to prevent injuries. Moisture-wicking socks and layers are a must to prevent athlete’s foot and frostbite. If you are injured in any way, make sure you have a foot specialist check out your foot immediately.

If you hurt your feet or ankles during the winter, we’re here for you at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up to date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently-located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

Every August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. These awareness months are great times to highlight common chronic diseases, especially ones like psoriasis that could be mistaken for other illnesses.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes overactive cell generation in concentrated areas. Your body produces a type of cells known as T cells. With psoriasis, your body triggers the T cells to think they’re fighting an infection or healing a wound, and they flood to a certain area. This leads to excessive skin cell growth and inflammation in an area. Psoriasis is thought to be genetic.

Symptoms of psoriasis

Psoriasis symptoms can appear at any place on the body and most commonly pop up in areas surrounding the nails, scalp, elbows, shins, and feet. When it is on the feet, it is referred to as Palmar-plantar psoriasis. Typically, it appears on the soles of the feet, but can show up anywhere. Symptoms in the feet typically look like:

• Cracks or splits
• Redness
• Thickening
• Scaling
• Swelling
• Blistering

Because of their appearance, these symptoms are occasionally incorrectly self-diagnosed as athlete’s foot.  That’s why it is important to see your podiatrist if you notice any of these changes in your feet.

Often, toenails exhibit pits and holes, thickening, discoloration, and nail bed separation due to psoriasis. It can also lead to fungal nail infections.

How do you treat psoriasis?

As always, you should check in with your podiatrist if you’re experiencing pain or notice any sudden changes in your feet. If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis and are looking for relief at home, here are a few tips:

• Wash the area with a mild soap
• Use a hypoallergenic moisturizer frequently
• Try a coal tar cream or a gel or ointment that slows skin growth
• Apply salicylic acid to soften thick scales
• Corticosteroids can also help relieve symptoms

If you think you have psoriasis symptoms and are not sure, Feet First Foot Care Specialists are here to help! Dr. Adam Mucinskas utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and cutting-edge treatments at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

It starts as a mild irritation and escalates to an annoying sensation, but by the end of the day, itchy feet can drive you absolutely insane! Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that itchy feet can actually be a symptom of a number of podiatric disorders. It could simply be dry skin (which in the medical community we call Xerosis) and could easily be remedied with a regular application of moisturizer throughout the day. If that’s not it though, it’s definitely time to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to get to the bottom of that itch!

What’s causing itchy feet?

• Athlete’s foot – this fungal infection usually begins between the toes but can creep to cover your whole foot. It’s characterized by an itching and burning sensation but can also lead to blisters. To prevent contracting it, avoid being barefoot in public places such as pools or gym locker rooms. Your foot doctor might prescribe a fungal cream or – for aggressive cases – an oral medication.
• Allergic dermatitis – allergic reactions can cause your whole body to itch! Cosmetics, perfumes, personal hygiene products, adhesive materials, metals, fabrics, latex, foods, rubber, plants – practically anything can cause an itchy allergic reaction! Your skin might also experience a burning sensation and could form a rash or become flaky. Your doctor might prescribe antibiotic ointments or topical steroids and can recommend hypoallergenic skin products to avoid future breakouts.
• Irritant dermatitis – this comes with similar presentation and treatments as allergic dermatitis, only this is not caused by an allergen. Prolonged contact with an alkaline or acidic substance is the culprit in irritant dermatitis. Isolating the source and avoiding further exposure is necessary for both types of dermatitis.
• Psoriasis – psoriasis presents as skin irregularities but is actually an immune system disorder. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes new skin cells to emerge to the surface too quickly. It causes thick, flaky skin patches that become itchy and inflamed. These patches are often red, white, or grey. Topical creams and anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of psoriasis.

You’ll see that the same itchy symptoms can indicate a number of medical conditions, each coming with specific diagnosis and treatment. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help you determine what is causing your itchy feet and assist with relief. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

Your toes are pretty amazing. Check them out! They cooperate together to help your body balance – if you were missing just one toe, you’d have to relearn how to do most activities. Can you imagine trying to dance without your big toe? It would be tough! That’s not to say that people don’t master those skills if they are missing a toe for whatever reason. Occasionally toes must be amputated because of injuries, infections, or diabetic complications. In those cases, a podiatrist can often build a custom orthotic to assist in “replacing” the lost toes.

Your toes are important and it’s important to take care of them. Check out some of the things that could happen if you don’t take proper care:

• Bunions and Bunionettes – Painful bony protrusions can form on the outside of your feet. If they form on your big toe, they’re called a bunion. If they form on the base of your pinky toe, they are a bunionette. Either way, they hurt! They are often caused by shoes that are too tight, although genetics plays a role in their forming as well.
• Hammertoe – Poorly fitting shoes can also lead to hammertoes. This deformity occurs on the second, third, or fourth toe. The middle joint of the toe is bent up, resembling a hammer.
• Corns – Thickened patches of skin caused by rubbing or pressure from a shoe are called corns. Because of the unnatural positioning of the toe, hammertoe can often lead to corns.
• Claw Toe – A claw toe is a similar deformity to hammertoe, but your toes bend in a different direction and the causes can be different. Claw toe is often caused by nerve issues associated with diabetes or alcoholism.
• Athlete’s foot – If you’ve ever had that itchy, scaly, red skin between your toes, you know how uncomfortable athlete’s foot can be! Easily prevent this by keeping your feet clean and dry. Always wear shoes in public places like pools, gyms, or locker rooms.
• Toenail fungus – Nails infected with fungus are discolored, brittle, and easily broken. The fungus can rise up and crack the nail bed. Toenail fungus can be very tough to treat and requires a podiatry visit immediately.
• Ingrown toenails – Trimming your toenails correctly and wearing properly-fitting shoes are some of the best ways to prevent ingrown toenails. A proper trim is straight across and not too close to the nail bed.

Most of these toe issues can be prevented with a little extra vigilance and care for your toes. If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, or have noticed any changes in the skin or nail quality on your toes, we can help. Dr. Adam Mucinskas stays abreast of the latest technologies and treatments in podiatric medicine and can help get you on the path to healthy toes, feet, and ankles. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, CT office, request one online or call us today at 860-632-5499.