Items filtered by date: June 2023

Professional pedicures are an obvious step to take if you want to have more attractive feet, but sometimes this is not possible. There are routines that can be done at home that an individual can follow to help to ensure their feet are healthy and looking nice  Following these steps for everyday foot care can save you time and money. This can begin with soaking the feet. Adding Epsom salts to warm water can cleanse the feet, soften them, and make the toenails easier to trim. After drying the feet, a foot file or large nail file can be used to file corns or calluses. This can be done gently until the skin feels smoother. Next, the feet can be exfoliated with an appropriate scrub that can remove dead skin cells and soften dry skin. It is important to trim the toenails straight across and smooth the edges with a nail file. This can be followed by moisturizing the feet and completed by polishing your toenails. In performing this process, if you encounter any wounds on your feet or areas of infection, it is suggested to see a podiatrist who can examine your feet and tend to any problem areas.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor 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 Hicksville, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Having cracked heels is a foot condition that can cause embarrassment. It is defined as cracks that develop in the skin of the heels and may become fissures if conservative treatment does not work. Cracked heels can happen for a variety of reasons, including wearing shoes that have an open back, or standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. Additionally, frequently wearing flip-flops may lead to developing cracked heels, as a result of the lack of support most of these types of shoes have. Elderly people may notice they have cracked heels. The heel pads can lose elasticity, possibly causing cracked heels. People who are overweight may also be prone to getting cracked heels, which can be from the extra weight the heels must endure. Relief may be found when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by applying a good moisturizer on them. If you have cracked heels, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer you effective prevention and relief methods.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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

The plantar fascia is found on the sole of the foot. It is the band of tissue that connects the toes to the heel, and it is instrumental in pointing and flexing the foot. An injury or overuse can cause this tissue to become torn or irritated, which may lead to getting plantar fasciitis. Patients who are afflicted with this condition often have difficulty in walking, and will seek the advice of a medical professional for relief. The pain is felt in the heel which can cause severe discomfort.  Runners may be prone to developing plantar fasciitis as a result of the repeated force the heels endure as well. It can also develop from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or that have minimum cushion support. Effective stretches can help the foot feel better. These can include the calf stretch which is done by standing on a step while lowering one heel at a time until a gentle stretch is felt. If you have heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

Whether people shop for shoes in stores or online, the importance of getting the right shoe size is crucial in protecting the feet. Blisters and bunions may develop while wearing shoes that are too tight, and a loss of balance may happen if shoes that are worn are too large. The majority of shoe stores have an effective tool that can accurately measure shoe sizes, and this is referred to as a Brannock device. People who would prefer to measure their feet at home can stand on a sheet of paper while wearing the socks that are normally worn. This is followed by tracing the length and width of the foot, and the right shoe size can be determined by using a conversion chart. When it is time to purchase shoes, it is beneficial to try them on and walk in them for several minutes in the store. This can help to determine if there is adequate room in the toe area. If you would like more information about how to get your right shoe size, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who is an expert in matters of the feet.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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