Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis)

Athlete's Foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus that usually occurs between the toes. The fungus attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment that encourages fungus growth. Warm, damp areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi.

Symptoms of Athlete's Foot include drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters on and between the toes. Athlete's Foot can spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails as well as other parts of the body, which is why timely treatment is so important.

You can prevent Athlete's Foot by:

•     Not walking barefoot, particularly in public pools and locker rooms.
•     Reducing foot perspiration by using talcum powder.
•     Wearing light and airy shoes.
•     Wearing socks that keep your feet dry, and changing them frequently if you perspire heavily.

While fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals are usually used to treat Athlete's Foot problems, they often fail to contact the fungi in the lower layers of the skin. For persistent Athlete's Foot, a prescription topical or oral antifungal drug may be needed. 
Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.

If you have any questions or concerns about your feet, please don't hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482 or visit our website at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.

 

Gout | Learn more about it

Gout from Officite on Vimeo.

If you have any questions regarding to your feet, please do not hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482.

 

Does nail polish cause toenail fungus?

Nail polish in and of itself does not cause toenail fungus. That's not to say that it doesn't contribute to the situation. Fungus is an opportunist that infects the toenails when they are damaged. Nail polish can cause damage to the toenails.

Most nail polishes contain damaging chemicals, such as formaldehyde and toluene. Nail polish remover contains acetone. All of these damage the toenails and cause the white streaking that many women experience when removing their polish. This damage weakens the toenails and make them more susceptible to developing a fungus infection.

There are alternatives to harmful nail polish. We carry Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish which does not contain the harmful chemicals that regular nail polish tends to have; instead it is formulated with vitamins and an all natural antifungal agent to nourish the nails.

For additional questions, contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704 -786-4482 or visit at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.

Broken Ankle

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, doctors have noticed an increase in the number and severity of broken ankles since the 1970s, due, in part, to the Baby Boomer generation being active throughout every stage of their lives.

The ankle has two joints, one on top of the other, and three bones. A broken ankle can involve one or more of the bones, as well as injury to the surrounding connecting tissues or ligaments.

There are a wide variety of causes for broken ankles, most commonly a fall, an automobile accident, or sports-related trauma. Because a severe sprain can often mask the symptoms of a broken ankle, every ankle injury should be examined by a physician.

Symptoms of a broken ankle include:

• Bruising.
• Swelling.
• Immediate and severe pain.
• Inability to put any weight on the injured foot.
• Tenderness to the touch.
• Deformity, particularly if there is a dislocation or a fracture.

The treatment for a broken ankle usually involves a leg cast or brace if the fracture is stable. If the ligaments are also torn, or if the fracture created a loose fragment of bone that could irritate the joint, surgery may be required to secure the bones in place so they will heal properly.

If you have any questions regarding your feet, please don't hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482 or visit our website at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.

Forefoot Pain

Do you have persistent pain in the ball of your foot? - Check out this video from Officite:

Forefoot Pain from Officite on Vimeo.

Having questions about your feet? Give us a call today at (704)786-4482.  We will be more than happy to answer you with any questions that you may have.

Venous Stasis

Venous stasis is a loss of proper function in the leg veins that normally carry blood back toward the heart. This may occur following injury to the veins, which may lead to blood clots in the superficial veins (known as superficial phlebitis) or blood clots in the deep veins (known as deep venous thrombosis).

Individuals with this condition usually exhibit swelling of the legs and ankles. The superficial veins in the legs may be varicose, causing the veins to be enlarged and appear as a cord or a bunch of grapes. Patients often complain of a feeling of fullness, aching, or tiredness in their legs. These symptoms worsen with standing, and are relieved when the legs are elevated. As the condition progresses the blood continues to collect in the feet, ankles, and legs.

Rest, elevation, and compression stockings are the most common forms of treatment.

For additional questions, contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704 -786-4482 or visit at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.

Foot Odor

Having foot odor? - Check out this video clip from Officite:

Foot Odor from Officite on Vimeo.

If you have any questions regarding to your feet, please do not hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482. 

Cysts

Cysts are fluid-filled masses under the skin. Common cysts of the feet include synovial cysts, ganglia, and cutaneous mucoid cysts.

Most foot cysts are located under the skin, although occasionally they appear in tendon or bone. Synovial or ganglionic cysts are connected to a nearby joint or tendon, which makes them harder to treat. Mucoid cysts are not connected to a joint. Most cysts lead to mild pain as a result of the pressure created by wearing shoes. When any of these cysts enclose or press on a nerve, they can cause a sharp pain. X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans are common methods for diagnosing cysts in the feet.

The best way to prevent cysts from forming is to wear well-fitted, comfortable shoes and avoid repeated foot injuries. Persistent ganglion cysts can be treated by numbing the area and extracting the fluid inside. A steroid or hardening agent may then be injected into the cyst to try to prevent it from filling again.

Call our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482 to schedule an appointment today.  We can evaluate your feet and determine the best course of action to alleviate your pain. We are located at 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord North Carolina.

Hint: Ensure you shoes fit your feet properly

 

Dry Skin

Did you know that Dry Skin is a problem that most people experienced? 

Check out these good tips on what you can do to prevent and/or heal your dry skin from Officite's video clip:

Dry Skin from Officite on Vimeo.

If you have any questions regarding to your feet, please do not hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482.