(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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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.
Psoriasis is a disease that appears as a skin condition on your legs and feet (as well as on other parts of your body). August is Psoriasis Action Month and we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists want our patients to know more about this disorder and how to spot it.
Do: recognize the seriousness of psoriasis. Although it appears as a skin problem, psoriasis is actually caused by a dysfunctional immune system. Patients with this chronic disease produce new skin cells which surface far too rapidly, and that results in thick patches of inflamed skin. Some patients will also develop psoriatic arthritis which causes pain and inflammation in the joints. For your feet, ankles and toes, this can be particularly debilitating.
Do: know the symptoms of psoriasis. There are several types of psoriasis, each of which may look different. The most common symptoms include thickened patches of skin with red, white or a silverish- gray appearance. It can show up on one or two small spots or it can be widespread. These skin patches can be itchy and become painful over time.
Don’t: delay making an appointment at our Cromwell office calling: (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can evaluate any skin symptoms you are experiencing. Oftentimes patients mistake psoriasis for a case of athlete’s foot or another fungal infection.
Do: check your fingernails for signs of psoriasis as well. Practice proper nail care: keep nails trimmed short and straight across and file away rough edges to prevent injury. Injury can be a trigger for a psoriasis flare-up.
Don’t: be concerned about “catching” psoriasis from another person. It is not contagious. Scientists believe that psoriasis sufferers have a genetic predisposition for the condition that is then activated by exposure to certain triggers. Known triggers include certain medications, stress, skin injury and infection. Not all triggers affect patients similarly.
If you have additional questions about psoriasis and your feet, contact us.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we hope that you are planning to get away at some point this summer. Wherever your summer vacation destination is, there are some items you should take with you to ensure the health and safety of your feet. Below are our suggestions for what to pack:
If despite all your best efforts you return from vacation with foot or ankle pain, a rash or other suspicious symptom, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling (860) 632-5499.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we find that each season brings its own unique podiatric challenges. During the summer months, we see more cases of athlete’s foot. Why? It’s a fungal infection that is spread by direct contact. At this time of the year more people are going barefoot and that’s the perfect way to pick up a case of athlete’s foot.
Do: practice good basic foot hygiene. Wash your feet daily with soap and warm water. Afterwards, dry your feet thoroughly. Be especially sure to dry the spaces between your toes as this is often where athlete’s foot begins.
Don’t: go barefoot in public places. Wear flip flops or shower shoes when you are at the nail salon, town pool, gym or using the rest rooms or changing facilities at a lake or beach.
Do: have an extra pair of socks handy if your feet tend to sweat profusely. Change your socks as soon as your feet feel moist. Consider buying socks made of material that wicks moisture away from your skin if this is an ongoing issue.
Do: wear shoes that are made of natural materials and allow your feet to breathe. Good air circulation around your feet will be helpful.
Don’t: wear the same pair of shoes every day. Alternate footwear to give shoes a chance to air out.
Do: dust feet with an anti-fungal or talcum powder each morning to aid in keeping them dry.
Don’t: share shoes, towels, emery boards or other items that other people use on their feet.
In addition to itching, signs of athlete’s foot include: red skin that’s dry and scaling, blisters and oozing. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact our Cromwell office and have our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, take a look at your feet. Without treatment, athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of your body and to other people.
As the school year draws to a close, many of our patients at Feet First Foot Care Specialists will be thinking about spending some time at one of our many beautiful shoreline beaches. Without the proper precautions, however, your beach day can be the cause of seriously uncomfortable foot or ankle problems. Beware of these potential dangers and take the necessary steps to keep your feet safe.
Jellyfish—a jellyfish that has washed up on the beach can still sting you if you step on it. If this happens, remove tentacles from the foot. Apply vinegar or baking soda to reduce pain and swelling. Any jellyfish sting that does not heal within a few days will require a visit to our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine the wound.
Fungal Infections—warm, moist places where lots of people walk barefoot are the perfect place for bacterial and fungal infections to thrive. Keep your feet covered by wearing flip flops or shower shoes to the public restrooms and changing areas or you may come home with the unwanted souvenir of athlete’s foot or fungal toenails.
Ankle Sprain or Foot Injury—a game of beach volleyball is starting up. You left your sneakers home but what harm can come from playing a friendly pick-up game either barefoot or wearing your flip flops? Actually, plenty. The shifting sands require shoes with strong ankle support and good tread to prevent ankle sprains.
Puncture Wounds and Cuts—another good reason to keep your feet coved for a day at the beach is to avoid stepping on a nail, piece of broken glass or another sharp object that may be beneath the surface of the sand.
Sun Burn—the skin on your feet needs protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Apply a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
If, despite your best attempts, you do receive an injury at the beach, make an appointment with us as soon as possible at our Cromwell, CT office located in Middlesex County. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can provide you with a fast and accurate diagnosis and the treatment to get you back on your feet.
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