Daily foot care is important for maintaining the health of your hard working feet. A good foot care routine starts with washing the feet with soap and water, drying them thoroughly, and applying a good moisturizer to prevent dry skin. Soaking the feet can be incorporated into your foot care routine on days when your feet are sore or swollen following a strenuous workout or standing for a prolonged period of time. Watching out for signs of foot injury or damage is also important. Foot pain and changes in the appearance of the feet can be indicative of a variety of medical conditions. For more information about daily foot care practices, please consult with a podiatrist.
Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. 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 offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This can lead to the area becoming swollen, tender, painful and inflamed. In some cases, the area can also become infected. There are many potential causes of ingrown toenails, including wearing shoes that are too tight, sustaining an injury to the toenail, or trimming the toenails improperly. Repetitive stress on the toenails from poor posture, partaking in certain sports, poor circulation, and having a genetic predisposition to ingrown toenails can also make them more likely to occur. If you have painful or recurrent ingrown toenails, or an ingrown toenail that is showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
Foot odor can be common among children and adolescents. When children’s feet sweat, bacteria that thrive in moist, dark environments, like their shoes, can begin to multiply rapidly. Bacteria eats dead skin cells and releases waste in the form of organic acids, often producing a strong and unpleasant smell. Fortunately, there are things that you can do at home to reduce foot odor. Encourage your child to wash and dry their feet thoroughly each day. Make sure that they wear properly fitted shoes made of breathable materials and clean, moisture-wicking socks to reduce sweat. Kill the bacteria in their shoes using a disinfectant spray. If foot odor does not improve with at home treatments, it is suggested that you take your child to see a podiatrist.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.
Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.
Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.
Be watchful for any pain or injury.
Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Ankle sprains are one of the most common ankle injuries, and they occur when the ligaments that hold the ankle in place are torn. Ankle sprains most often occur when stepping on uneven surfaces causes the ankle to twist beyond the ligament’s capabilities. This causes the ankle to swell and for walking to be uncomfortable. Those who have an ankle sprain should visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. X-rays will be taken to make sure that there are no broken bones. Less common injuries, such as an avulsion fracture, high ankle sprain, or fibula fracture can also be ruled out during the diagnostic process. Upon a proper diagnosis, your podiatrist will be able to suggest treatment options that may work best for you and the severity of your injury.
Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.
What Are the Symptoms?
Preventing a Sprain
Treatment of a Sprain
Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.
If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
A Tailor’s bunion, sometimes called a bunionette, is similar to a regular bunion. However, a Tailor’s bunion forms on the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint (or the “pinky toe”) instead of the big toe. Tailor’s bunions are most commonly caused by poorly fitting footwear, as well as structural foot problems. They appear as a swollen and hard bump on the outside of the foot next to the big toe, and they generally form over a long period of time and may not become painful for a while. Treatment options that a podiatrist may suggest include surgically removing the bunion, a corticosteroid injection to reduce swelling, and padding or orthotics to reduce pain. If you are dealing with pain that may be a Tailor’s bunion, be sure to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you are suffering from bunions, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.
Why Do Bunions Form?
Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary
Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions
How Are Bunions Diagnosed?
Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.
How Are Bunions Treated?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Swelling in the ankles can be caused by conditions that specifically affect the ankle or by systemic conditions that affect the whole body. Often, the cause of swelling in an ankle is an injury, such as a strain or a sprain. Strains are the result of overstretched muscles or tendons in the affected area, whereas sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn. Diseases of the joints, such as arthritis, can also lead to swelling in the feet or ankles. Pregnancy and obesity may lead to swelling in the ankles due to fluid retention and poor circulation. Treatment for swollen ankles will depend on what is causing the swelling. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist.
When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.
Systemic Diseases of the Feet
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
A fungal infection of the toenails can be unsightly. Infected toenails may have white or yellow patches of discoloration, be chalky, or have a crumbly texture. In more severe infections, the toenails may thicken and become deformed and discolored. There are several treatments available for toenail fungus. A podiatrist may prescribe oral antifungal medications, which have to be taken for several months to get full results. Topical treatments, such as medicated nail polishes, are applied directly to the affected nails and can also help treat toenail fungus. Sometimes, both treatments can be used simultaneously. For more information about treatment for toenail fungus, please consult with a podiatrist.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Symptoms
Treatment
If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.
Prevention
In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.
In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.
The plantar fascia is located at the bottom of the foot and it connects the heel to the toes. It is a portion of tissue that is responsible for various foot functions. Many patients feel pain in the heel when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, and stretching the affected foot may be an option for mild relief. It is beneficial to stretch the calves. This can be done by standing against a wall and placing one foot behind the other. Slowly bend the back leg until a gentle stretch is felt, and then repeat with the other leg. Additionally, the foot may feel better when it is rolled on a tennis ball, and this is helpful for stretching the arch. If you would like more information about the benefits of stretching the feet, please consult with a podiatrist.
Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Stretching the Feet
Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.
It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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