Whether you are heading out for a quick day hike or plan on camping and hiking for a few days, there are measures that can be implemented to ensure that your feet are up to the task. One of the most common conditions that can wreak havoc on the feet during a hike is developing an ingrown toenail. Having long toenails can cause discomfort, but cutting the nails too short and having them grow into the skin can be excruciating. The best advice to help prevent ingrown toenails is to cut the toenails straight across and not too short before you even leave for a hike. The next step is to make sure that your shoes or hiking boots fit properly by ensuring the back of the heel sits tight to the back of the shoe, but the toes can still wiggle. Once hiking, any discomfort to the feet should be addressed right away. This can be accomplished by changing socks and bandaging any areas that may be forming blisters. After the hike it is important not to pop any blisters on the feet in order to reduce the risk of infection. If you have questions about keeping your feet healthy during your next hike or camping trip, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If your feet sweat excessively to the point where it interferes your daily life, you may have hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis that does not occur due to a medical condition or by taking certain medications is a fairly common disorder known as primary hyperhidrosis. Although primary hyperhidrosis has no known causes, some believe it may be linked to genetics or a problem with the sympathetic nervous system. Aside from keeping feet clean, wearing moisture-wicking socks and shoes made of natural materials, a podiatrist may use prescription medications, as well as injectable or electric current therapies to treat this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toenail infections are very common and are caused by bacteria and fungi growing on or underneath the toenail. These fungi often thrive and grow in warm and moist environments like public pools, locker rooms and showers. Signs of a fungal nail infection include the nail thickening, turning yellow or brown, becoming crumbly, pain or the nail separating from the nail bed. Patients who notice these symptoms should consult with a podiatrist for treatment options, especially diabetic patients since the infection can lead to further complications. Upon visiting a podiatrist, they will check the nail and suggest a treatment option. Common treatment options include antifungal medications, removing the nail, or antifungal nail paints.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Although flip-flops are popular for the summer, it's important to walk carefully while wearing them. Flip-flops have little to no foot support, which can further lead to a potential injury if not careful.