Unlike athlete’s foot, a fungal infection of the foot, the soggy nature of feet in shoes can also foster a stinky bacteria infection called erythrasma. The bacterium that grows in this environment is called Corynebacterium minutissimum. This bacteria is part of the normal skin flora but under the right moist condition, it can proliferate leading to a superficial bacterial skin infection. Erythrasma most commonly causes bacterial infection in the webspaces of the toes and gives the clinical appearance of red or brown scaly patches of skin with soggy looking itchy skin.

The following are diagnosis and treatment options that may be considered by your doctor or podiatrist for erythrasma in the feet:

• To diagnosis erythrasma your podiatrist may use a Wood’s lamp, which would reveal a fluorescent coral red color.
• A culture swab of the affected skin can also be done that’s viewed under a microscope that can also help confirm the diagnosis of erythrasma. This may also reveal a concomitant fungal infection.
• Proper moisture control between the toes by using moisture-wicking fabric socks and making sure to dry in between the toes.
• Treatment typically involves antibiotics either oral erythromycin or azithromycin. Your doctor or podiatrist may prescribe a week of antibiotic therapy.
• Topical antibiotics may also be prescribed such as topical erythromycin drops.

Good hygiene and keeping the feet clean and dry especially in between the toes will help calm down the symptoms of erythrasma as well as prevent any recurrence. With the use of proper antibiotics therapy, improvement should be seen within two weeks so call your podiatrist today for the treatment of this uncomfortable itchy condition called erythrasma!

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Getting sweaty and stinky feet by being in a pair of close-fitting shoes for a long period of time can lead to an itchy condition called tinea pedis, also commonly known as athlete’s foot. Tinea pedis is a common fungal infection of the foot that is caused by a group of fungus called dermatophytes. Generally the skin is one of the most effective barriers against bacterial or fungal infections but fungus will thrive and overgrow under the right conditions of warm and moist skin especially within tight enclosed shoes. In addition to itchy feet, you may also experience scaly, dry, or peeling patches of skin on the bottom of the feet or in between the toes. Often discolored, thick toenails are associated with athlete’s foot indicating fungal toenails.

The following are treatments that may be considered by your doctor or podiatrist for athlete’s foot:

• Wash your feet daily keeping your feet clean and dry, remember to dry in between the toes too.
• OTC anti-fungal power or antifungal cream
• Change your socks if heavily sweaty
• Wear socks or shoe gear with breathable materials that wicks away sweat and keep the feet dry.
• Athlete’s foot is contagious so don’t share socks and don’t walk around barefoot in public areas, but remember to let your feet breathe in sandals or open-toed shoes!

Once the fungal infection is under control, the smelly feet should go away too as the athlete’s foot improves. See your doctor or podiatrist if the athlete’s foot continues and has not improved within 1-2 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral anti-fungal medications depending on the severity of the fungal infection. Call your podiatrist today for the proper treatment of athlete’s foot in order to put your best foot forward and lead a more itchy and smelly-free life!

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As the summer heat continues to roll into August, sweaty feet combined with the dark moist environment within shoes can increase the chances of bacteria and fungus to breed. This can lead to a smelly foot as the bacteria and fungus grow well in between the toes of a soggy foot. To stop the smell from the bacteria/fungus, you can simply create a drier home for your feet.

The following are possible home remedies that may be considered by your podiatrist to decrease the smelly and sweaty feet:

• Epsom Salt bath – Salt dries out the skin and the bacteria’s environment thus decreasing the bacteria. This should be done daily for 1-2 weeks and the smell would be improved.
• Vinegar bath – Vinegar also pulls out the wetness out of the skin and is bactericidal killing much of the bacteria that exists in the foot. Use one part of vinegar to two parts of water.
• Black tea soaks – The acid component in black tea acts as a natural bactericidal and also shrinks pores which also helps decrease the sweating. Use two tea bags to a pint of water and soak for half an hour a day for a week.
• Change of socks – Change socks daily or twice a day if being active. Also staying away from nylon socks and using moisture wicking socks helps keep the sock dry from the feet.
• Deodorize shoes – Use Lysol to spray the insides of your shoes and let them sit overnight to dry out. If the smell continues, it would be best to change out your shoes too. Cornstarch also works to deodorize the shoe and absorbs excess moisture.

These are some ways to get the stinky feet situation under control and if none of these remedies work, then it is important to see your podiatrist, as there may be a more of a serious bacterial infection called erythrasma. Call your podiatrist today if you are still stinking up the house after trying these home remedies!

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Getting older does not get easier and as you grow older, the pain and stiffness in the feet and ankles could be osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Osteoarthritis foot pain is the most common type of arthritis and is a consequence of the wear and tear to the joint cartilage that comes with aging. Arthritis is often felt as a deep achy pain that worsens with physical activity such as prolonged standing and walking. You may also feel morning stiffness in the feet that last for an hour or less. Because there is joint space narrowing and the cartilage is worn out, the bones in the foot can rub against each other during movement called crepitus.

The following are treatments that may be considered by your doctor or podiatrist for osteoarthritis in the feet:

• Shoe gear, bracing, or orthotics: Rocker bottom shoe, lace up ankle brace, or CAM boot
• Oral Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – ibuprofen
• Stretching/ Physical Therapy – calf leg stretches
• Topical solution – capsaicin, Icy Hot
• Injections – Steroid
• Surgery (only arthritis treatable with surgery) – joint fusion or replacement

Osteoarthritis, when left untreated, can be a bothersome ongoing pain that can worsen to the point of no longer walking. This severe arthritis can be an obstacle in you leading a happy quality of life so it is important to see your doctor or podiatrist to slow down the progression of arthritis and to control the pain. Call your podiatrist today for the proper treatment of arthritis in order to lead a more active and productive life!

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

Skin cancer is one of the most dangerous risks from being sunburned and is also the most common of all cancers especially in young adults. According to the American Cancer Society, about 87,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States for 2017. The popular shoewear during the summer are flip-flops and one of the most frequent areas to miss when out in the sun applying sunscreen are to the feet. Because of this, there is always a risk for the feet to get sunburnt when outdoors under the hot summer sun and this can increase your risk of developing melanoma later in life.

Melanoma can be very treatable when detected early enough; however, when on the feet it is often overlooked and that is when it can be fatal. Be sure to do self-exams of your feet for any changes in a mole or spot as well as under the toenails. It is important to see your doctor or podiatrist if you notice a darker pigmentation (brown or black) under the nail that grows out with the nail and extends to the nail bed and beyond the nail fold onto the surrounding skin.

It is essential to check on your feet for signs of any skin cancer lesion. The following signs to know that can save your life are the ABCDEs of melanoma:

• Asymmetrical shape
• Border – irregular and difficult to define borders
• Change in color – uneven blend of more than one color (blue, black, brown, etc.)
• Diameter that increases in size – the lesion grows to more than 6mm in diameter (size of a pencil eraser) is indicative of melanoma
• Elevation (spot is elevated off the skin) & Evolution (change in shape, border, color, and size)

It is also important to call your podiatrist or doctor to treat any blisters, pain, or infection as a result from sunburned feet. Prevent future sunburns by always putting on sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or higher protecting again harmful ultraviolet rays from the sunlight (UVA and UVB) and remember to reapply after getting your feet wet. If you are without sunscreen to the feet, try to stay in the shade or avoid flip-flop use and cover your feet with socks and shoes.

Practicing these preventive measures will protect against melanoma and lower the risk to skin cancer by limiting the sun’s UV exposure. If sunburn does occur on the feet, you may rinse or soak them under cold water and apply soothing Aloe Vera cream or gel. Also visiting the podiatrist regularly is key for early detection for melanoma and for a full recovery. Remember to stay hydrated in the hot summer, ice the feet and elevate them if swelling occurs after the sunburn. Have some fun in the sun but don’t forget about your feet, always protect them by simply applying sunscreen to the feet!

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With the warm summer days upon us, many people are choosing flip-flops as their go-to summer footwear. Flip-flops are cool, comfy, and easy to wear but are held on the foot with just a thin strap between two toes and that can lead to serious foot problems.

Flip-flops, as popular as they are in a variety of summer styles for both casual and formal wear, provide very little foot support and do not hold the feet securely in place when walking. They do provide basic protection on the ground against hot sand or pavement, foreign objects, as well as athlete’s foot and warts from the dirty floors. However, flip-flops can lead to a multitude of other injuries of the foot and ankle as they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption. Therefore, those who wear flip-flops for prolonged periods of time may experience foot and ankle pain, peroneal tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and blisters from stubbed toes or even more serious injuries.

The other problem of wearing flip-flops is that it changes the gait cycle as it forces you to take shorter strides to get the foot onto the ground faster and prevent the flip-flops from falling off by squeezing the toes together to clasp the flop-flip strap. This action shortens the natural steps within the gait cycle and causes the foot and leg muscles to work harder, which can result in overuse injuries such as tendonitis or shin splints.

Flip-flops lacking the proper arch support can cause plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the thick band of ligament along the bottom of the foot, especially in the heel. Often times there is greater incidence of plantar fasciitis after the summer season due to the long periods of wearing flip-flops. People who tend to over pronate their feet or have flatter feet are more predisposed to such overuse injuries due to requiring more support for their foot arches. One of the most serious problems with flip-flops is a stress fracture of the metatarsals, the long bones leading out to the toes. This happens after constant, repetitive micro-trauma to the bones. Flip-flops also do not hold or support the ankle as it bends and can lead to another common injury of ankle sprains.

The following are precautions that may be recommended by your doctor or podiatrist to prevent foot and ankle problems from when you do wear flip-flops:

• Flip-flops in moderation: the key is not over wear flip-flops and to wear them for short distances.
• Flip-flops are not an athletic shoe. Wear your stylish flip-flops only on flat surfaces.
• Do not wear flip-flops when mowing the lawn or operating heavy equipment. They increase the risk of foot lacerations, wounds, and/or crush injuries by having a heavy object fall on your foot.
• Do not drive in flip-flops. There is an increased risk of car accidents because they are detrimental to a driver’s control if they come off the foot and fall under the brake or gas pedal.

Despite the issues with flip-flops, you do not have to completely avoid wearing them in the hot summer when taking these precautions above. Your podiatrist may recommend skipping on the cheap flip-flops and spending more on sandals with thick-cushioned soles, deeper heel cups, and arch supports. You may also ask your podiatrist for advice on which brands of sandals may best fit your feet. It is important to see your doctor or podiatrist if any issues do result from over wearing your flip-flops and to keep your feet injury-free and ready for the summer.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

Peroneal tendinitis is an irritation to the peroneal tendons, which runs around the lateral malleolus of the fibula bone or the bony part on the outside of the ankle. There are two peroneal tendons that run parallel to each other along the lateral malleolus and inserts to the inside and outside of the foot near the arch. The peroneal tendons are irritated due to overuse and mechanical overload on the tendons. This stress over the tendons leads to an overall effect of micro-trauma or tears and with failed healing of the tendons can cause swelling and tenderness over the outside of the foot where the peroneal tendons courses through.

The following are other signs and symptoms that can occur with peroneal tendinitis:

• Worsening pain during activity but that gets better with rest
• Tenderness over the peroneal tendons on the back of the ankle bone or at its insertion point on the base of the 5^th metatarsal bone
• Pain when stretching the peroneal tendons by inverting and everting the foot

Much of the diagnosis is based on the patient’s history such as athletic or work-related overuse activity, athletic training errors, or improper footwear. Upon physical exam, your podiatrist may find pain to palpation on the peroneal tendons, pain with inversion, or a varus heel position.

It is important to see your doctor or podiatrist if pain continues to persist. Your podiatrist may suggest various treatments such as rest, ice, taping, ankle brace, physical therapy, or a change of shoe wear. Peroneal tendinitis can take a considerably long time to heal but following proper instructions from your podiatrist you should be on the road to recovery and can return to your athletic activity.

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We stub our toes often throughout our lives. Occasionally, we may kick the toe hard enough that the toenail is lifted or broken off from the toe. If this occurs, it is tempting to remove the whole nail or clip it back ourselves. However, there are advantages to seeing a podiatrist.

A podiatrist will be able to:

• Properly clean and sterilize the wound and assess for signs of infection and extent of injury to the nail bed
• If the nail is lifted, proper tools may allow the podiatrist to save the nail bed and possibly the nail
• If there is a subungal hematoma (a blood collection under the nail), they can drain it if needed
• Any signs of infection can be addressed with appropriate cleaning of the wound and/or antibiotics
• Follow up with proper trimming of the cut back nail can help prevent ingrown toe nail

It is important if the nail bed is fairly damaged to prevent worse outcomes. A visit may be as simple as a quick cut back of the nail. However, if the damage is more extensive, a podiatrist has the tools and the experience to treat the wound adequately.

If you stubbed your toe, have a toenail injury or any other foot or ankle ailment, please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

One of the most common maladies to befall a foot is a foreign body. Children step on splinters, adults step on glass, and feet come in contact with sharp plant leavings. Most people try to remove the foreign body from their foot. However, to avoid making a worse wound or an infection, it is important that the foot is fully cleaned with soap and water before attempting to remove the object. If the object is not visible, go to an open urgent care, hospital or doctor’s office where the professionals have the tools to visualize and remove the object. Even if you are able to remove the foreign body, keep the area clean, covered with a bandage and consider and antibiotic ointment. Monitor the wound site for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, streaks, pain, pus and smell. If you notice any of these signs worsening or spreading, go directly to the emergency room.

If you do need to visit your doctor or podiatrist for a foreign body:

• The doctor may request that you get radiographs or ultrasound to find the object
• If possible, they may try to remove the object in the office
• If the object is too deep or the infection is extensive, they will recommend cleaning the wound in the operating room
• After the object is removed, there is no guarantee that there are no remaining particles in the foot; it is important to keep the site clean and monitor for any signs of infection
• The body may eject, absorb or form a fibrous wall of tissue around the object if a portion remains; it may never get infected or cause pain

It is important that larger, deeper or poorly visualized objects are removed by a professional. They have the tools and the positioning to remove the foreign body properly. Remember, do not delay treatment if you notice signs of infection; see your doctor/podiatrist right away.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

For the last 50 years, the rate of smoking has dropped precipitously from 42% to 15% of all Americans. However, thousands of young smokers take up the habit every day. Many know of the effects of cigarettes on the lungs, including lung cancer but few know of the effects on the legs and feet. The effects of nicotine on the vascular supply can result in peripheral arterial disease in which the arteries undergo narrowing and/or blockage from damage. Loss of blood supply to the legs and feet can result in tissue death and amputation. In some people, Buerger’s disease in which inflammation of the medium and small blood vessels also results in distal tissue death and amputation. Any wounds developed while smoking may slow or stop healing. Bones become less dense as smoking may increase the risk of fracture.

Although difficult, it is possible to stop smoking.

Smoking cessation tips that may be recommended by your doctor or podiatrist:

• A number of medications are available to help smokers quit
• It is important to form a support system with friends and family to help encourage you as you quit
• Often hypnosis or cognitive behavioral therapy can improve your odds of quitting
• Alternatives to cigarettes or chew include a lower risk of cancer but may have other negative effects since nicotine can cause constriction of the vasculature and e-cigarettes are known for causing popcorn lung; if possible it is better to cease all smoking and nicotine use
• .gov and other sites are available with tips and tricks to become and stay smoke free

Many of the recommendations from your doctor may work for you, but each person is different. The good news is that once you stop smoking, the effects on the vasculature can improve within a year and resolve within 5 years if the tissue is not dead. Talk to your doctor or podiatrist today about quitting smoking. You will be happy you did.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office