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October 2022

Monday, 31 October 2022 00:00

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Tuesday, 25 October 2022 00:00

Categories of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection that invades the feet. Research has indicated that approximately 10 percent of people who reside in North America are afflicted with this uncomfortable condition. There are four types of athlete’s foot categorized as moccasin-type, vesicular, interdigital, and ulcerative. The most prevalent type is interdigital athlete’s foot, which is found between the fourth and fifth toes and is caused by a fungus. Having an allergic reaction to fungal organisms is typically the culprit in obtaining vesicular athlete's foot and large areas are often affected when ulcerative athlete’s foot is present. The symptom that many people experience with athlete’s foot is severe itching between the toes and on the bottom of the feet. In severe cases, blisters may also form. Athlete’s foot is treated by a podiatrist, so it is suggested that you consult with this type of doctor if you have developed this foot condition.

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 Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center.  Our doctor 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 our office located in Oceanside, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Athlete’s Foot
Monday, 24 October 2022 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Shoes are worn for foot protection and it is not necessary to have your children or babies wear them while indoors. However, they are urged to wear them when walking outside. The feet can become stronger because the toes can grip the floor when they are indoors, and this will aid in balancing. Outside terrain can be full of sharp objects and the feet can easily get hurt if they are not well protected. Your child’s first milestones can consist of walking and crawling, and these are often reached while indoors. These can be easier to accomplish when shoes are not worn, giving the feet more ability to move freely. If you would like additional information about the benefits of walking inside without shoes, please ask a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks of Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy
Monday, 17 October 2022 00:00

Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Tuesday, 11 October 2022 00:00

Reasons Your Feet May Hurt

“Oh, my aching feet,” is a common complaint at the end of the day. That is because the feet work hard to carry the weight of the entire body all day long, particularly if you spend a lot of time standing or walking. Still, not all aches and pains in the feet are caused by activity. Flat feet, for instance, can contribute to increased foot fatigue. Aging can be another factor in aching feet, as the fat pads on the heel become thinner and the feet often become wider. The shoes worn throughout the day, especially high heels with pointy toes, can affect foot pain, too. Certain medical and physical conditions – including diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and hammertoes – are often causes of foot pain. And of course injuries, such as stress fractures, sprains, or muscle strains, may be factors. Aching feet at the end of the day should not be a general cause for alarm, especially if the pain subsides after you rest or soak your feet. However, if the foot pain is ongoing or chronic, it may be a good idea to consult with a podiatrist for an evaluation. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Jeff Brooks from Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Read more about Foot Pain

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Tuesday, 04 October 2022 00:00

Clubfoot Affects Males More Than Females

One of the more common congenital foot conditions is known as clubfoot. It develops while the baby is in utero and cannot be treated until birth. The tendons that connect the heels to the leg muscles are too short, and this may result in clubfoot. Research has indicated it affects males more than females, and it can be seen in approximately one out of 1,000 births in the United States. It is beneficial that treatment begins early in the baby’s life, preferably within two weeks of birth. The type of treatment can range from using manual manipulation that may help to move the feet into a normal position, to possibly having surgery performed. In many cases, the child can begin regular sports activities when of age after the preferred method of treatment. Common signs of clubfoot include the foot turning in and downward, with the toes pointing toward the opposite foot. Additionally, the affected foot, heel, and calf muscles may be smaller than the other foot, but the foot may straighten out as the healing process occurs. If you would like more information about clubfoot, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have and address your concerns.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Jeff Brooks of Oceanside Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

  • Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
  • Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
  • Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
  • Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
  • Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
  • Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Oceanside, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Congenital Foot Problems
Monday, 03 October 2022 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

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