Basic Causes & Effective Remedies for Hammer Toes

There are several foot conditions which, if left untreated, can result in severe complications like permanent deformity. Hammer toe is such an example. At the beginning it might not be clearly noticed. You need to take a close look at your feet to understand whether it is indeed affected by hammer toe. In case toe is crossed or bent abnormally, even pointing at an odd angle, then you have reason to worry! Ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes are to be blamed, which might scrunch your toes by putting excessive pressure on the middle portion. This results in abnormal curling. Though not painful always but in severe cases this toe abnormality does cause soreness and discomfort.  Here are few basic facts about hammer toes.

• It is a kind of deformity whereby one or more small toes bend from the joint, mainly between the first and second segments. Thus, tip of the toe bends downward, taking the shape of a hammer or claw. Usually the second toe is affected. Mostly people suffering from this deformity develop corns too.
• Hammer toe is mainly caused by tight or ill fitting shoes. Those suffering from bunions, diabetes, biomechanical imbalances, neuromuscular conditions or arthritis in the toe joint are also susceptible to this foot condition. Sometimes a simple foot injury can develop into hammertoe. According to experts, this deformity can be hereditary as well.
• Some common symptoms of hammertoe include curling toe, soreness and discomfort in toes or ball of the foot. You might experience difficulty stretching your toes. And, yes, you will find it hard to find fitting shoes too.
• If left untreated, this toe deformity can turn into a permanent foot ailment.
• Any expert podiatrist can diagnose this problem just by thoroughly examining toes and feet. However, an X-ray is suggested if he suspects some serious disorder like rheumatoid arthritis. If the patient complaints of excessive pain then he might suggest necessary tests to check for signs of infection.
• There are some basic treatments which can be done at home. Opt for comfortable shoes with high, broad toe boxes. There are customized forefoot products for hammertoes which provides best cushion for your sore feet. Some light exercises of the toe that help relax foot tendons are also recommended. In case the pain of toe or foot portion becomes unbearable and lasts for several days or your toes start curling excessively then these are indications that you should get in touch with an expert podiatrist. Don’t allow your hammertoe to take a serious shape.
• By following certain preventive measures you can easily hold back this toe deformity. To being with, take a close look at your footwear. Are these too short or tight, do these come with pointed toes or extreme high-heels, does your toe hurts when you wear them? Then it is time to shift to footwear which keeps your toes relaxed. Soaking your feet in warm water, doing some stretching foot exercises regularly, also help in preventing hammertoe.

If in doubt, consult a podiatrist to confirm whether your painful foot is actually an indication of hammertoe.

How to Prevent Foot Problems During Summer

Summer, the month of excruciating heat and uncomfortable sweat, brings with it itching skin problems. However, very few know that this is the season when several foot conditions raise their heads too. Your foot remains sweaty most of the time which results in infections like athlete’s foot or warts. Blisters are also quite common during summer. Thus it is very important to know how to keep your feet in proper shape during warmest months of the year.

Be careful of hard or cracked skin

If you have this idea that cracked skin happens in winter only, then think again! Those who love to wear back-open sandals or flip-flops might develop hard or cracked skin around the heels.  The only cure of this problem is to rub away the hard skin and then moisturize it thoroughly to soften the heel area.

Banish those Blisters

Painful blisters often strike during summer; mainly caused by continuous rubbing of sandals or flip-flops between toes. Thus the best way to prevent summer blisters is by keeping your feet dry and wearing sandals that fit well. Also try to give your tired foot ample rest and protect it from the extreme weather.

Trim your Toe Nails

Trim or file your toenails regularly. While doing so, don’t make it too short or cut it too down at the corner. This might lead to ingrown toenails.

Change Socks or Alter your Footwear Regularly

Blame it on wet socks or soggy footwear, your foot remains damp most of the time during summer. This in turn results in several foot conditions. Thus it is highly advisable to change your socks and footwear, if possible on daily basis.

Let Go of your Flip-flops

While it is a natural tendency to look for lightweight footwear like flip-flops or flimsy sandals in the hot weather, the fact is that these don’t provide enough support to your feet. Thus you start experiencing arch and heel pain after wearing the flip-flop for long.

Prevent Sweat

For many sweaty feet is indeed a problem. As the mercury starts rising, it is their foot which seems to catch the heat first. So, if your foot perspires too often then it is important to follow a proper foot care regime. Wash your foot daily with warm water. Use an antibacterial or mild soap for your feet. Then wipe thoroughly and apply some talcum powder. This routine not only helps keep your feet dry throughout the day but prevents smelly feet too.

As is evident from the above discussion, your foot health basically depends on maintaining regular hygienic routine like cutting nails, washing feet or wearing proper footwear. The problem is that some foot conditions may take severe shape, especially for those suffering from other ailments like diabetes. So, if you are really irked by persistent foot problems then it is highly advisable to seek opinion of an experienced podiatrist. Keep in mind that any delay in treatment often augments the problem. On the other hand, timely cure can keep your feet in good shape throughout the year.

How to Get Rid of Painful Ingrown Toenails

There are several foot conditions which are quite common and can strike anytime due to negligence or poor foot hygiene. Ingrown toenail is one such foot problem that primarily affects the great toenail. While the normal toenail grows vertically or outward towards tip of the toe, ingrown toenails grow abnormally. Though not that serious from medical point of view, but ingrown toenail is one condition which often turns painful coupled with redness or swelling. If not taken care in time, it can result in clear or yellow drainage too.

What causes Ingrown Toenails

One sure indication of ingrown toenail is when the soft skin on one or both sides of the nail starts growing over edges of the nail. Sometimes the nail itself juts into the skin thus causing cracks in that area of the skin. Ingrown toenails often results in inflammation and in severe cases infection too. Inflammation even worsens the problem as the nail folds into the skin even more. As the ingrown toenail protrudes deeper into the skin, this exacerbates pain and injury.

Who are prone to it

Though no such specific category can be pinpointed but experts opine that athletes, children or adolescents are more prone to ingrown toenails. Then there are certain factors which can also trigger the problem one of which is congenital foot/toenail deformation. Repeated trauma or a sudden accident when your toe is stepped on can also cause a piece of nail to pierce into the skin. You are most likely to fall into the vulnerable category if born with long toes or short nails. Cutting the toenail inaccurately can also result in its abnormal growth. If you have this habit of cutting the nail too short, then be careful; you might be inviting serious problem! Those suffering from diabetes, obesity, arthritis or foot sweating problem are susceptible to this foot condition too.

General Complications Related to the Ailment

Infections of varied degrees can happen because of ingrown toenail. The person may suffer from bacterial tissue infection. The nail fold and surrounding skin might get infected or scarred.

How to Treat Ingrown Toenail

It is always advisable to take timely action before infection sets in. You can try out some easy home remedies. Just soak your feet in warm salt water and then dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Apply some mild antiseptic cream on the toenail and surrounding skin. Bandage the toe properly. Shift to comfortable footwear that offers enough room for your toe. However, if the swelling, pain or discharge aggravates in spite of this home remedy then it is time to visit an expert podiatrist. Don’t be intimidated if he says that a minor surgical procedure needs to be conducted. In fact this is nothing but an in-office treatment whereby the overgrown skin or affected nail portion is removed and the infection is treated with some medicine. However, it is always advisable to visit an experienced foot care specialist only for the purpose rather than opting for a general physician.

Foot conditions associated with work related factors

Prolonged sitting or standing, working in awkward positions or handling heavy load at workplace can put excessive stress on muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and nerves thus leading to pain, fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. Foot related injuries are quite common which often result from erratic work conditions. While many would opine that corns or calluses can’t be categorized as occupational injury in the strictest sense but the fact is that a tired and painful foot results in extreme fatigue which in turn affects body muscles and bones.

Work related foot problems and common causes

There are certain foot conditions which can occur in any workplace and under any working condition. Calluses, corns, severely aching feet, malformations of toes, rheumatism, arthritis, flat feet or bunions are caused from standing at a stretch or because of ill fitted footwear. If you prefer wearing high heels, pointed shoes or footwear that lack proper arch support then be careful! You are exposing yourself to foot problems. Those who need to work in extreme hot and humid environment or under strenuous condition often suffer from fungal infections, i.e. athlete's foot. Footwear that prevents adequate air circulation might prove to be the culprit too.

What kind of work condition can cause foot problem

Though common foot conditions can arise on/off the job, there are certain problems which can be directly related to work-related factors. Standing for long hours is one of the main culprits. Our foot is designed for mobility. Hence an upright stance can result in poor blood circulation which leads to severe ache and tiredness of the foot.  Continuous standing can also result in flat feet and inflammation. If not taken care in time, this foot condition finally leads to rheumatism and arthritis.

Flooring used in the workplace might also contribute to foot ailments. If an extremely hard floor can cause heel pain too slippery floor is the prime cause for slips or falls. Thus you end up with broken foot bone or sprained ankle.

How to prevent workplace related foot problems

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”, so it is always advisable to follow some precautionary measures to prevent aggravation of foot conditions at workplace. If your work demands constant standing, then try to take short breaks in between. In fact frequent short breaks are preferred over infrequent long ones. Take a close look at your footwear to assess if it is indeed suited for your work condition. Rather than giving preference to style, emphasize on comfort and safety. Opt for shoes that allow enough movement of the toe. Preferably it should have a fastening across the instep to prevent sudden fall. Flat shoe or the one with wide-based heel is preferred over high-heeled ones.

In case the foot problem doesn’t subside then it is always advisable to get in touch with an experienced podiatrist. The doctor’s guidance indeed helps in buying shock absorbing insoles or properly fitting shoes. He may also suggest some light exercises to improve blood circulation of the feet. Do keep in mind that timely foot treatment is the right way to get rid of long-term ailments.

Foot conditions of women that aggravate with age

Foot ailments are quite common and can happen to anyone irrespective of age or gender. However, a study shows that women are more prone to foot issues than men. Then, age plays a major role too. Before 40, if a woman suffers from high heel injury or overstressed foot problem then after hitting 40, the situation turns a bit grave. This is the age when foot tendons and ligaments start losing their elasticity. Sometimes toenails tend to thicken or fat pads underneath the foot become too thin. All these result in feet stiffness and extreme pain too.

Does this mean being a woman you are destined to hobble into the ripe old age? Not, if you are conscious about various foot conditions and their remedial measures. Timely treatment indeed helps in aggravating foot conditions that develop with age. Discussed below are few such foot problems from which a woman is mostly likely to suffer with age:-

• Bunion: A kind of protuberance which results due to shifting of the first metatarsal, i.e. the big toe bone towards the second toe. A large bump on the side of big toe, skin redness, swelling and pain are few common signs of bunion. Though genetic predisposition is considered the prime reason but you might give a further boost to it by wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes. By shifting to soft, supple leather shoes with thick sole it is possible to reduce pressure on foot bone. Specially designed orthotics proves to be effective too.
• Plantar Fasciitis: An inflammation which is caused by excessive stretching of the bottom of the foot i.e. plantar fascia. This foot condition results in heel, arch pain and heel spurs, especially after getting up in the morning. Tight calf muscle, excessive strain on the arch portion, extreme physical activity and flat feet are some primary causes of Plantar Fasciitis. One effective remedy is wearing shoes with one-and-half-inch heels. The right kind of orthotic with longitudinal arch support and rear foot posting can be of great help too.
• Neuroma: Thickening and inflammation of nerve tissue, mainly between third and fourth toes is considered as Morton’s Neuroma. Numbness, cramping of forefoot or tingling sensation are few common symptoms of this foot problem. Erratic footwear that puts excess pressure on nerves in the ball of the foot might be one of the culprits. While walking if your foot tends to roll inward then it can also result in Neuroma. Thus it is also advisable to take a break from physical exercises or activities that irritate nerve tissues. Shoes with cushioned heel helps relieve pain and discomfort associated with this ailment.

With advancements in podiatric treatments, it has now become easy to get rid of nagging and painful foot syndromes. Surgery is considered the last resort if the patient is suffering since long or the foot problem is obstructing her daily activities. Otherwise regular exercises, proper footwear or orthotics are just adequate to take care of most of the foot conditions. Whatever route you follow, make sure to do that under expert guidance of a podiatrist.

Important facts about foot conditions faced by young athletes

Competitive sports demand active participation throughout the year which in turns necessitates extreme fitness level for young athletes. Young age may not safeguard the athlete from getting hurt suddenly. According to pediatric sports experts, if the child complains of incessant heel pain or any other foot discomfort then it should not be taken lightly. Sometimes these can be precise signs of even more serious foot problems to come.

Youngsters who are into regular sports activities might encounter injuries involving bones, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues in the foot. Acute injuries which can happen all of a sudden include bruises, sprains or fractures. On the other hand, foot ailments that develop overtime are stress fractures and tendonitis. Young athletes belonging to the age group of 6-14 are mostly susceptible to such foot conditions. This is the age when their feet grow and heel bone develops. New bone formation happens in the growth plate, i.e. the area behind heels. If the foot undergoes excess strain or stress then this might result in sudden pull on the heel bone growth plate as well as severe inflammation of the cartilage. Such condition can also cause a stress-type fracture.

Getting hurt during sports activities is quite a common phenomenon. May be this is the reason why parents tend to ignore the child’s foot problems at an initial stage. While minor injuries can be treated at home, it is very important to take notice if your child is limping often, walking on his toes or showing reluctance to take part in regular sports activities. It should be kept in mind that accurate and timely diagnosis of foot conditions is the key to successful treatment. Make sure to consult an expert podiatrist in such circumstances. Based on detailed analysis of the child’s foot condition he might suggest a radiograph, ultrasound or even an MRI. A thorough and precise diagnosis is very important to prevent the foot problem turning into a chronic issue.

When the foot condition is related to young athletes, the treatment must ensure that the child is able to:-

• Walk or run in full motion;
• Walk on tiptoes without any discomfort;
• Jump on both feet without feeling any pain;
• Hop on the affected foot without any discomfort;
• Maintain adequate balance while carrying out a single-leg stance on the affected foot/portion.

Podiatrists suggest different types of treatments, based on the extent of injury. While mild or modest conditions are treated with physical therapies, anti-inflammatory medicines or customized shoes, in extreme cases he may suggest ankle or foot casts or even surgery. The good news is that now there are many painless and hassle-free podiatric treatment procedures and parents need not worry about long term immobility of the budding athlete at home. They just need to get in touch with an expert podiatrist who is confident about treating foot conditions of athletes. After completion of treatment, it is even more crucial to follow the specialist’s instructions to minimize recurrence of the same foot problem.

Helpful information and effective remedies regarding everyday foot problems

Human body undergoes different phases of transformation with age, disease, disability or even pregnancy. These affect each body organ and that includes the foot too. With growing irregularities and changes, every individual encounters foot problems, either rarely or frequently. While some foot conditions are hereditary, many are caused due to hormonal changes, inadequate exercises or insufficient calcium intake. According to a study conducted by the US Public Health Service, even racial factors can determine bone strength, e.g. Blacks experience comparatively lesser foot problems than whites since they have higher bone mass.

While the hereditary factor can’t be controlled, it is possible to monitor lifestyle and life-stage factors to a great extent, thus ensuring a healthy foot throughout life. There are certain common foot conditions which people experience now and then; few of these are discussed below:-

• Calluses – result from accumulation of dead skin cells. An area of the foot is hardened and thickened causing discomfort or even pain while walking. Calluses usually happen from wearing high-heeled or ill-fitted shoes. So the best remedy is to shift to comfortable footwear with adequate padding or custom-made insole to protect and soothe the affected portion.
• Bunion – is one foot problem which falls into the serious category. One alarming aspect about Bunions is that it is hereditary and often affects both feet. A kind of arthritis or bone de-generation, this foot condition starts as a bony bump on the outside of big toe. Switching to orthotics and doing regular exercises helps in alleviating bunion related pain to great extent.
• Hammertoes or twisted toes – is a kind of deformity whereby your toes bend or curl downward thus resembling bird’s claws. The condition can cause extreme discomfiture while walking or flexing your foot. Apart from being hereditary, this disease may result from calluses, bunions, corns or due to severe neurological trauma. Ill fitting shoes might also be the culprit. To get relief from hammertoes, shift to shoes with high and broad toe box.
• Morton’s Neuroma – is another common foot problem which can cause extreme pain, swelling or inflammation of a nerve. Numbness, cramping and tingling sensation in the forefoot are few other symptoms of this foot condition. Usually the portion between third and fourth feet gets affected by Neuroma. The best way to relieve pain and treat Neuroma is by selecting footwear which comes with high and wide toe box. Another effective treatment is to have orthotic designed with metatarsal pad.
• Ingrown toenails – can be a painful condition which arises due to inaccurate nail trimming. Sometimes it can be hereditary too. While the ingrown toenail cures by itself as the nail grows sometimes the pain and discomfort becomes unbearable and the area may get infected in extreme cases. Apart from trying out some home remedies, it is a wise idea to approach a podiatrist to get rid of the infected nail through a nominal surgical procedure.

If foot problems keep recurring after regular intervals, then don’t ignore.  Get in touch with a foot care specialist for professional and precise guidance.