Nail Fungus

Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.

Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks may frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.

Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.

You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:

• Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
• Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
• Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
• Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
• Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.

Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.

In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.

If your nail requires professional care call FAMILY FOOT CARE at 704-786-4482 or visit our website at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.

Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis

Heel pain is a very common foot problem. Many people experience pain after being on their feet for a long period of time or with the first steps in the morning.
Some helpful tips are to not walk barefoot. Keep a pair of supportive shoes close by that you can slip on in the morning. Stretch your calf muscles daily. Increasing the flexibility of your calf muscles. Make sure your shoes are supportive, and not too flexible. You can also try over the counter orthotics for your shoes.
When stretching and shoe changes do not work, it may be time to see a professional for further care. At FAMILY FOOT CARE we can prescribe custom orthotics and provide further treatment modalities to help eliminate your pain. We have 3 locations to serve you. 704-786-4482. Visit us in Concord 1022 Lee Ann Drive; Harrisburg 6602 Roberta Road; Locust 209 Town Center Drive.

Ingrown toenails

Curved toenails?

Are you toenails so curved that they look like and upside down “u”? You may have chronic ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails can be genetic or caused by external factors such as the shoes you wear and how your toenails are trimmed.
Avoid digging down into the nail fold or cutting the edges of the nail. When you try to trim the toenail yourself you can cause the ingrown toenail to get worse, or even infected.
To prevent ingrown toenails, the nail should be trimmed straight across. Ensure that your shoes are fitting properly so they do not cause extra pressure on the toenail. If your ingrown toenail requires professional care call FAMILY FOOT CARE. We have 3 locations to serve you. 704-786-4482.
Visit us in Concord 1022 Lee Ann Drive; Harrisburg 6602 Roberta Road; Locust 209 Town Center Drive.

DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Diabetes is a serious disease that can result in devastating complications, if not properly managed. Diabetes affects every part of your body from head to toe. Daily foot care is very important to prevent sores and amputations. You should inspect your feet daily for sores or red areas from ill-fitting shoes. Check shoes for debris that could injure your foot. Cut and file toe nails straight across, taking care not to cut them too short. Your skin should be moisturized daily. Even well controlled diabetics with no complications need a thorough foot exam at least once a year.
Call INSTRIDE FAMILY FOOT CARE today to schedule your diabetic foot exam. We have two convenient locations to serve you.

1022 Lee Ann Drive Concord, NC 28025 (704)-786-4482

6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 (704)-454-5558

OUCH! GOUT!

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the big toe joint. Men are more likely to be affected by gout; however, anyone can be affected. The pain can be intense enough to wake you up in the middle of the night. Gout is caused by an increase in uric acid in your blood, which causes urate crystals to deposit in the joint. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — substances that are found naturally in your body, as well as in certain foods, such as organ meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms. Gout can be controlled with changing eating habits or oral medication. At FAMILYFOOT CARE we can help relieve your pain from a gout attack, and point you in the right direction to decrease these attacks. Call us to schedule your appointment today. We have three convenient locations to serve you.

1022 Lee Ann Drive Concord, NC 28025 704-786-4482

6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-5558

209 Town Center Drive Locust, NC 28097 704-897-6081

BUNCHED UP SOCK?

Have you ever felt like your sock was bunched up in your shoe, but it wasn’t? That could be a symptom of a neuroma. Other symptoms of a neuroma may include burning pain or numbness in the ball of the foot. A neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue as a result of compression and irritation. Wearing shoes with a narrow toe box or high-heeled shoes can contribute to the formation of a neuroma. The symptoms may come and go, but usually get worse over time as the neuroma enlarges. Neuromas can be treated conservatively with padding, icing, or activity modifications. The best time to visit a podiatrist is when the symptoms first start. Often times the treatment is less invasive, if caught early enough.

At FAMILY FOOTCARE we can offer many different treatment modalities to help relieve your neuroma pain. Call us to schedule your appointment today. We have three convenient locations to serve you.

1022 Lee Ann Drive Concord, NC 28025 704-786-4482

6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-5558

209 Town Center Drive Locust, NC 28097 704-897-6081

CURLY TOES

Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are deformities of the joints of the toes.  Contracted digits are caused by a muscle and tendon imbalance in the foot, arthritis, or constantly wearing ill-fitting shoes. Some people have a predisposition to develop hammer toes due to the structure of their feet. Women are more likely to develop hammer toes due to shoe gear. Over time the toes can become rigidly contracted and be painful in shoes. The toes can also develop calluses over the joint, which increase the risk for ulcers in the callused areas. There are conservative methods for treating hammer toes, such as splinting the toes or surgical methods to correct the deformity.

Padding in shoes, splinting the toes, or purchasing extra depth shoes can help alleviate some of the pain from hammer toes. If surgical intervention is required, it should be done by a foot and ankle specialist, such as a podiatrist. The physicians at FAMILY FOOT CARE can evaluate your feet and determine the best course of action to alleviate your pain. There are 2 convenient locations to serve you 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord and 6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg. 704-786-4482

Hint: You should have your feet measured at least once a year to make sure you are wearing the correct shoe size.