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.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we often hear from our patients that they didn’t know if their foot condition was really anything serious, and so they weren’t sure if they should “bother us” for an appointment. Unfortunately, by the time we hear this, the problem has usually progressed to a severe stage which now requires longer and possibly more invasive treatment. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, would much rather you come into our Cromwell office and find out there’s nothing wrong instead of waiting until you are in excruciating pain or having other difficulty walking.

Questions to Help You Decide

If you’re still undecided about whether or not to call us, below are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Does it hurt? Pain is your body’s way of sending you a message that something is wrong. Often patients make the mistake of thinking that unless it’s severe and constant pain, it can’t be anything serious. Stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis and heel pain are three of many common conditions that may start out with just intermittent pain or discomfort when exercising or doing particular activities. If these conditions are diagnosed early, the foot doctor can prescribe treatment and/or preventive measures to keep the problem from becoming seriously disabling.
2. Did it look like that before? We recommend that patients get in the habit of regularly inspecting their feet to look for changes that can signal a problem. Rashes, bumps, bruises, growths and changes in the skin or toenails can all be the beginning of a podiatric disorder. If you have diabetes, it’s particularly important that you contact us as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary, since even minor foot problems like athlete’s foot and blisters can rapidly turn into serious health problems.
3. Do you feel something different? Does your foot feel numb? Or, maybe you are noticing a tingling or burning sensation in your feet. These can be a sign of neuropathy or another nerve issue.
4. Is it infected? A wound that begins to feel warm, has red streaks around it or is showing any discharge or pus may be infected. If you notice any of these symptoms, particularly if you also have a fever, contact us immediately by calling: (860) 632-5499.

If you have diabetes, you are probably already aware of the importance of being proactive in the care of your feet. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are your partner in helping you maintain good foot health.

Below are 5 recommendations to help avoid potentially dangerous podiatric problems for patients with diabetes:

1. Manage your diabetes. Follow all your doctor’s instructions for keeping your blood sugar levels where they should be. This, in turn, will lessen the problems associated with the disease that can negatively impact the health of your feet.
2. Avoid walking barefoot. Even in your own home, it’s easy to step on a pin or sharp object and cut your foot. Loss of sensation (or neuropathy), which is often a symptom of diabetes, can make it difficult to detect an injury on the bottom of the foot until it has become infected.
3. Inspect your feet regularly. Common foot conditions such as athlete’s foot, warts and blisters can result in big problems for those with diabetes. Circulation difficulties and immune system dysfunction often associated with diabetes means that foot conditions and injuries can be difficult to treat. An infection can have very serious consequences. Look for any signs of injury or unusual changes in your toes, feet and ankles. If you find anything suspicious, contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your foot and head off any potential problems.
4. Wear good shoes. Choose styles with a cushioned sole and slip-proof tread. Be sure the toe box is wide enough to avoid squeezing toes together. Check the material inside the shoe to be sure there are no rough spots that could create friction and cause a blister on the skin.
5. Do not expose your feet to direct heat. You should also not use electric blankets or foot warmers. You may not be able to accurately gauge how hot the temperature is and could burn your feet.

If you have questions regarding the best ways to care for your feet if you have diabetes, contact us today.

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.