Items filtered by date: July 2023

Practicing foot care is crucial for diabetic patients. The feet can easily become infected in people who have diabetes, and a good diabetic foot care routine can begin with washing and drying the feet daily. This can be followed by examining the soles of the feet. Some patients find it helps to use a mirror to accomplish this, or a family member or caregiver can do this if available. It is important to trim the toenails properly approximately once per week, and this can be done by cutting them straight across. Dry skin on the feet can be avoided when a good moisturizer is applied, and refraining from using it between the toes. Many diabetic patients have poor circulation and neuropathy, which is nerve damage. This is caused by elevated blood sugar levels, and the feet may become numb or have tingling sensations. It is often difficult to feel cuts or sores that have developed, which can be seen when the feet are inspected daily. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, Argyle, and Denton, TX. . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection termed tinea pedis, often causes an eruption of blisters between the toes or on the bottom of the foot. The blisters are filled with a clear liquid, which in and of itself is not problematic. Other symptoms can include scaling skin, redness, and itchiness. It is important to know that the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is extremely contagious and can easily spread to other body parts. Be sure to wash your hands after touching the infected area. Men, people who are diabetic, and anyone with eczema may be more likely to become infected with athlete’s foot. The best way to prevent coming into contact with the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is to wear foot coverings in warm and moist public areas. This includes shower rooms and locker areas at gyms and swimming pools. If an athlete's foot infection does not react to common treatments, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can examine the affected foot, and test the infected area to provide appropriate treatment measures. 

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

We may have all stubbed our toes into a piece of furniture or dropped something heavy on our toes and experienced intense pain. A fractured toe, particularly a pinky toe, is a common occurrence, especially because they involve small bones on the edge of the foot and are more prone to injury. When one breaks a toe, it is painful, and the toe will look bruised and swollen. If the ends of the broken bone get displaced, the toe may look crooked. It may be painful to walk with a broken toe, particularly if one breaks their big toe because this toe takes more weight when walking. Most broken toes can be treated at home. The buddy taping method is frequently used, which involves taping the broken toe to the toe next to it for stability. Wearing comfortable, enclosed, and sturdy shoes that do not press against the broken toe should also help. The only way to be certain a toe is broken versus being sprained or strained, is to have an X-ray taken. If a broken toe is associated with another injury or problem, if the big toe is the affected toe, if the skin is broken, or the toe is displaced it is strongly suggested that you see a podiatrist for proper evaluation and treatment.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A foot wound is an injury to the foot that breaks through the skin. First and foremost, diabetics must exercise special precaution with such wounds, and visit a medical professional immediately, as they are more at risk for infections. Regardless of the severity of the foot wound, the healing process begins with cleaning and covering the wound. It is important to sanitize hands prior to cleaning a wound so as not to transfer bacteria to the injury. Running water over the wounded foot for approximately two minutes is helpful in removing dirt and bacteria. This should be followed by rubbing it gently with plain soap and rinsing the area again. If the wound is bleeding, press on it with a clean towel or gauze pad until the bleeding stops. If antibacterial cream is available, a thin layer can be applied to the wound with a cotton swab. Petroleum jelly can also be used to keep the wound moist and promote healing. Cover the wound with a bandage, make sure the adhesive does not touch the wound, and change it every day. If you have sustained a wound to your foot and it is deep, continues to bleed, or looks infected, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist as soon as possible for further treatment.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Southlake, Keller (Fort Worth), Hurst, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and Argyle, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.