Restore health of your feet after long winter in boots.......

Restore health of your feet after long winter in boots

By Jean Guarino in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Out of sight, out of mind! If that’s the way you’ve been treating two of the best friends you’ll ever have over the past few months, it’s time to take steps to repair your relationship.

“In the winter, personal grooming seems to stop at the ankle. Most people really don’t pay much attention to their feet when they’re encased in heavy shoes and boots. It’s only when they slip on a pair of sandals for the first time that they realize what a toll the winter has taken on their feet,” said Dr. Megan Leahy, a podiatrist who practices at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago.

Dry, cracked skin, discolored toenails and pesky corns and calluses are just some of the indignities the feet can suffer from being cooped up for months in heavy shoes and socks.

Leahy suggests pampering your feet by using an over-the-counter exfoliating scrub with a sand base to eliminate dry, flaky winter skin. Follow this with a moisturizer containing urea or lactic acid, two ingredients that hydrate the skin and increase circulation.

“But never moisturize between the toes,” she cautions. “These areas tend to retain the moisture and that can lead to athlete’s foot.”

A pumice stone also is an effective way to remove thickened dead skin build up around the heels, balls and sides of the feet. Never use a razor because it removes too much skin and can easily cause infection.

Leahy does not suggest soaking the feet in warm water with Epsom salt or oils to soften the skin.

“Soaking only dries the skin further and removes natural oils while the warm or hot water acts as an irritant,” she says. An alternative is to shower or soak the feet in water as cool as you can tolerate.

Dr. Allen Shoelson, a podiatrist at the Rush University Medical Center, agrees that these easy-to-follow tips are effective for rejuvenating tired feet for most people.

“But individuals who suffer from diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should have all their foot problems evaluated by a podiatrist instead of trying to diagnose and treat it themselves,” he says.

He cites the example of warts that often masquerade as a callus. Warts are caused by a virus, which enters the skin through small cuts.

“They may look like a callus with the thickened skin. But if the area is mistakenly pumiced, an ulcerous hole in the skin may develop that will lead to infection. And that could result in amputation for someone with diabetes,” he says.

Finally, once your feet are back in shape, make sure you choose the right sandal that offers the support you need to avoid blisters, tendonitis, bunions, calluses and other foot problems. One of the biggest offenders is that popular summer staple, the ubiquitous flip-flop.

“Just because a flip-flop has a fun look doesn’t mean it’s healthy for your feet. As a general rule, most flip-flops should not be worn throughout the day. Wearing them in moderation is key,” says Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Lack of support in a flip-flop can leave the wearer susceptible to sprained ankles and ligament injuries and the limited protection offered to feet can mean a greater chance of cuts, scrapes and stubbed toes.

However, many companies such as FitFlop, Chaco and Orthaheel have designed flip-flops and sandals that have been awarded the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper support.

For healthy feet year-round, not just in the summer, follow these 10 tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

1. Don’t ignore foot pain. If pain persists, see a podiatric physician.

2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete’s foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides. It can lead to ingrown toenails.

5. Make sure your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest. Replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6. Select and wear the right shoes for the activity; i.e. running shoes for running.

7. Alternate shoes — don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8. Avoid walking barefooted — your feet will be more prone to injury and infection.

9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment often can turn a minor problem into a major one.

10. If you are diabetic, make sure to schedule an appointment with a podiatric physician annually for a checkup.

Please call the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center office anytime @702-878-2455 between Monday – Friday and we would be happy to set up an appointment for you.  Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com  The Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has Diagnostic imaging:  Digital X-Rays, Ultrasound or Advanced Imaging will be used to aid in the diagnosis.

Dr. Anthony Ricciardi at the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has completed training in endoscopic/minimally invasive surgery for chronic heel pain and nerve pain, foot and ankle joint replacement for restoring pain free motion, arthroscopic surgery, bunion surgery, fracture repair, flat foot correction, external fixation for complex deformities and extensive experience in peripheral nerve surgery including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and reconstructive surgery of previously failed foot surgical procedures.  In addition to his surgical training Dr. Ricciardi focuses on sports medicine of the foot and ankle through regenerative techniques using the patient’s own blood/platelets for healing chronic foot and ankle problems (pain) as a result of repetitive sport injuries.  This cutting edge technology enables patients to continue training with little or no down time.  Dr. Ricciardi continues to be active in teaching and training other podiatric surgeons on innovative surgical techniques in foot surgery.  Dr. Ricciardi is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.  Dr. Ricciardi’s vision is to bring each patient the most current state of the Art Technology and personalized treatment options to meet their Foot and Ankle needs (from conservative care to surgical options).  Dr. Ricciardi believes in quality service and puts his patients first!