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.

Toenail fungus can cause strong odors, but also many other complications when not treated correctly. Our podiatrist, Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M., will help to treat and remove this condition from your toenails at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, located in Cromwell, CT. Please call our offices at (860) 632-5499. Our Patient Education should also be looked at for further helpful information.

Toenail Fungus flourishes underneath toenails, which makes it more difficult to treat than many other foot and ankle conditions. This condition happens because the area under the toenail is frequently moist and warm. The fungus that attacks the toenails emits an unpleasant odor and turns them yellowish. This fungus can occur from an unhygienic pedicure, from the use of public showers or from walking barefoot around pools open to the public. Damage is seen as collapsing and brittleness of the nail as well as odor emitted from the toenail. If this condition is not treated timely, it can extend to other nails nearby.

Treatments may include soaking the infected toenails in warm salt water. Do not cut the nail if it’s infected. Otherwise, try not to cut them too deep. It is also helpful to wear shoes that are cleaned frequently and to change socks two to three times a day to prevent fungus from building up within them. Using antibiotic cream to destroy the infection at its originating location on the toe is especially helpful so that it does not come back again. A medical professional can also perform surgical procedures if the above methods are not helpful. The surgery includes raising the infected portion of the nail and applying oral antibiotics directly to the infected nail bed underneath. Non-invasive methods are also useful to treat this condition. Such methods are the use of laser treatment that can penetrate the nail and destroy the fungus underneath, without having to raise it.

Toenail fungus can cause more complications than just unpleasant odors. We therefore recommend that you contact us as soon as possible after discovering that your toenails are inflicted with this condition so that we can provide the necessary services that best suit your fungal infection.

Toenail fungus is an unsightly infection that can not only ruin the look of nails, but can also cause severe pain due to the nature of fungus. Our podiatrist Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M. has many years of experience treating toenail fungus at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, located in Cromwell, CT. Please call our offices at (860) 632-5499 or visit the Patient Education section of our website for a more detailed library of information about this and many other foot and ankle complications.

Toenail Fungus is an infection that affects the nail and surrounding tissue. Those older than 60 experience this condition often. There are different types of fungi that can infect the toenail and they thrive in warm and damp areas. This condition affects men more frequently than women, which can partially be due to men generally walking barefoot in locker rooms. Other factors causing this condition include diabetes, vascular problems and malnutrition.

This type of infection can cause cosmetic issues as well as minor pain and even severe infections. The majority of those who suffer from this condition have nails that turn yellow and thicken. The skin surrounding the toenail begins to itch as well. If not treated on a timely basis, the nail can become brittle and eventually separate from the nail bed. As the nail becomes thicker, it may become difficult to wear shoes.

Preventative measures include daily washing and drying of feet, changing socks daily, rotating shoes every other day to allow them to dry, avoiding walking barefoot at public pools and locker rooms and making sure that nail salons use sterilized equipment when performing pedicures. Treatment of nails with advanced infection includes trimming the infected nail and applying topical medication. Oral medications will also be required as the infection resides under the toenail, making it difficult for topical medications to get through the nail and attack the fungi underneath.

Because toenail fungus is hard to treat once it spreads, please contact our offices for a comprehensive consultation to increase your chances of having toenails that are fungus-free!

Fungus toenails are quick to form and quicker to lead to complications. In healthy people, toenail fungus is usually the result of fungus from moist areas. Gyms, swimming pools and nail salons are usual sources. Nail salons in particular may not have the proper sanitization techniques to prevent spreading fungus. Damp shoes also contribute to this condition. Those who frequently perform physical activities that result in repetitive impact to the toenails could damage them and make them more susceptible to fungus infections. Diabetics are at an increased risk of having complications from fungus due to their lowered ability to fight off infections. 

Adam  Mucinskas, D.P.M. can treat toenail fungus. You can visit podiatrist Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC located in Cromwell, CT.  Toenail fungus is thankfully not highly contagious. Constant and prolonged contact may cause an individual to contract toenail fungus, but it’s not something that can happen in an instant. Toenail fungus should not be neglected. By contacting us, you can take the first step to combat this condition.    

Many different types of fungi can affect nails. Trichophyton rubrum is a commonly contracted fungus that infects the skin around the toenail. There are a variety of treatments for fungus nails. One such method is to trim the nails, which reduces the level of fungi in your toenails. Medications are a very important way to combat toenail fungus. However, topical medicines are generally not as effective as oral types in fighting this type of condition. The reason for this is because toenails are thick and the creams do not pierce it enough to reach the fungus. Recovery time can take up to a year and it may not be noticeable if the fungus has been eliminated. The reason it can take a year to determine if the fungus is gone is because it takes time for the nail to completely grow out. Conversely, surgical treatment may be necessary to remove the entire nail if the previously mentioned treatments do not work. Although this method is not the preferred procedure, it may be necessary if you don’t seek medical treatment during the early stages. Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule an appointment.

Toenail fungus is not a pretty sight. It’s a condition that can cause pain but also carries the stigma of unsightly nails. Proper treatment is required, and podiatrist Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M. can treat this condition if you are experiencing it. You can visit Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, located in Cromwell, CT.     

Toenail fungus can carry an unflattering odor and brown color because of the fungus under the nail. This type of fungus is not only a real pain, but can be dangerous for those of older age because it can make its way into the blood and cause further complications. 

Treatment by way of laser can eliminate the fungus under the nails. Medicines and special nail polishes can help to offset the fungus before laser treatment becomes necessary. The area around toe nails is often damp and warm, allowing for fungus to thrive. Different kinds of fungus can affect the nail in different ways. Changes to your diet may actually be very helpful to eliminate the fungus that’s causing the problem. Eating foods that increase the amount of healthy bacteria are an example of this. Fermented vegetables, dairy with probiotics, fiber, protein, and good fats are healthy foods that accomplish that task. As you may have expected, sugar is a huge category to avoid since it only makes growth of the fungus worse. Eating these foods will also boost the immune system, which will in turn further fight the fungus away. 

Toenail fungus should be treated as soon as possible to prevent the onset of extreme odor and discoloration. Don’t hesitate to call us at (860) 632-5499 or contact us online to make an appointment as soon as possible. Take the opportunity to get the very best treatment offered by Dr. Mucinskas today!