Even though our feet carry us throughout the day, they are often neglected when it comes to hygiene. Experts agree that many diseases and foot conditions can be prevented if you take care of your feet. Recommendations include doing simple tasks, like washing and drying the feet daily, keeping toenails trimmed straight across and not cut too short, and changing your socks each day. It is also recommended that shoes fit properly and be alternated to give them a chance to air out and help ward off bacterial infections. Of utmost importance to warding off infections is careful and frequent monitoring of cuts, sores, and bruises on the feet and toes. Special attention should be placed on the soles of the feet, which are hard to see and often forgotten. Several conditions directly related to foot hygiene are fungal infections like athlete’s foot, nerve and blood flow problems caused by diabetes, and ingrown toenails. For more information on proper foot hygiene, please consult 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 Foot & Ankle Associates of Maine. 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 Brunswick, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain is a common occurrence, which shouldn’t be surprising because the ankle is involved in every step you take. Ankle injuries are usually caused by tripping on a step or curb or twisting the ankle during a sports activity. This can result in a ligament sprain. With an ankle sprain, the foot rolls inward and the ankle outward, thereby stretching a ligament beyond its normal range. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and warm when touched. Some stiffness may follow. Ankle sprains often interfere with bearing weight on the affected foot. If you are in extreme pain from an ankle injury and cannot put weight on that foot, please seek medical help immediately. The first thing to do is stay off the affected ankle, keep it elevated, and put ice on it to help reduce the swelling. Seeing a podiatrist as soon as possible is suggested to determine the severity and extent of the injury. Healing from an ankle injury can take weeks or even months. Braces or other walking devices may be prescribed to allow the ankle to move while keeping it stable. Allowing the ankle to fully heal is imperative for avoiding re-injury or chronic ankle problems in the future. For more information, please contact a podiatrist.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Maine. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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

Athlete’s foot occurs when a fungal infection between the toes produces a scaly, red rash. Eczema is another condition that is often confused with athlete’s foot. However, they are two very distinct and different conditions in important respects. Eczema is not limited to the feet and is contagious. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Both of these conditions can make the skin of the foot appear red, dry, and itchy. Both eczema and athlete’s foot are diagnosed by a medical professional by ultimately performing some kind of physical examination. In diagnosing both conditions, a medical professional might be particularly concerned with the skin and analyzing skin samples. It is very common for several different foot conditions to be confused with one another, although they are distinct and have separate causes and symptoms. If you are having trouble discerning what condition is impacting the health of your feet, consult with a podiatrist today.  

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Maine.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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