February 2018

If the skin between the toes starts to become itchy and sore, you may have a condition referred to as athlete’s foot. Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection, and may produce unsightly blisters, in addition to cracked and bleeding skin. It’s a contagious infection, and it commonly lingers on shower floors, so it’s advised to wear protective shoes to prevent the fungus from spreading. If you have sweaty feet, you may be susceptible in acquiring this condition. It’s important to treat athlete’s foot as soon as any symptoms appear, and this can be accomplished by using antifungal powders and sprays. There are ways to prevent this condition, including thoroughly drying the feet after washing them in warm water, wearing cotton socks, and using a different towel specifically used for your feet. If you have diabetes or find that general remedies are ineffective, please consult a podiatrist for the best treatment options for severe athlete’s foot.

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 Michigan Foot and Ankle.  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 one of our offices located in Ferndale, and Milford, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If the skin becomes reddened and painful, you may be experiencing a corn. Whitened skin and inflammation generally accompany a corn, typically causing severe discomfort. Soft corns develop from shoes that fit poorly, causing friction. Moisture between the toes may grow and accumulate, possibly causing an infection. This can be avoided by incorporating washing and drying between the toes into your daily routine. An effective way to prevent corns is to choose shoes that give the toes ample room to move around, in addition to selecting shoes that have enough cushioning and support. If the pain is affecting your daily routine, a consultation with a podiatrist may be suggested for the best options for relief.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Michigan Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Ferndale, and Milford, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Demarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans recently ruptured his Achilles Tendon during a Friday night game.  With just 15 seconds remaining, Cousins went to rebound on a free throw he missed and landed on his left leg.  Now, Cousins must miss the remainder of the season from having to undergo surgery.  Cousins will be immobilized for quite some time and have to go through physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in his ankle and leg.  It is said that the rate of recovery from surgery associated with this injury are high.  With professional athletes having a different standard of physical health, this injury may hinder their athletic performance in the future.  That being said, many people are curious to see how well Cousins will perform when he returns.  

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Michigan Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Ferndale, and Milford, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is a disorder in which the feet exhibit excessive sweating. This condition can cause the patient to experience extreme discomfort as well as emotional anxiety and embarrassment. Athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and foot infections may occur as a result of the feet constantly sweating. Hyperhidrosis is often a predisposed inherited condition and typically intensified by ingesting caffeine or eating specific foods. There are several ways to treat this condition, including washing and thoroughly drying the feet, wearing shoes that are made of thin material, and using a foot powder in the shoes. A consultation with a podiatrist is recommended for suggestions on how to make your feet more comfortable if you are affected by hyperhidrosis.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of Michigan Foot and Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Ferndale, and Milford, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.