Diabetic Foot Pain

 There are many things to manage when living with diabetes. You have to be careful of what you eat and you need to monitor blood glucose levels meticulously. One problem that can arise from having diabetes that can seriously impact a diabetic’s quality of life involves feet.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, a foot specialist in New York, treats patients with diabetes on a weekly basis. High blood glucose levels can result in nerve damage in the feet, which is called neuropathy. Neuropathy can be painful as it causes numbness, tingling and burning, or shooting pain in the feet. It also causes a loss of sensation, which can make a person very vulnerable to serious injury.

High levels of glucose affect circulation in the legs and feet as well. Pain can result, as tissues in the feet are not properly nourished with blood and oxygen. Veins can become swollen, joints can stiffen and feet can turn cold and sensitive. The combination of poor circulation and neuropathy can cause a change in gait, or the way a person with diabetes walks. An abnormal walking pattern will put stress on different areas of the feet, which can lead to foot pain. Poor circulation also affects the functioning of the oil glands in feet. This can lead to dry, cracking skin that can be very painful to the touch and to walk on.

If you have diabetes, it is important to look at and listen to your feet. If you notice a small sore or injury or have foot pain, please contact our office as soon as possible. Dr. Tejas Pandya can stop a small injury from turning into a serious complication or identify potential problems to watch out for. Call Capital District Podiatry at (518) 273-0053 and make an appointment today.

Corn Prevention

How can I prevent unsightly bumps on my toes?

Our feet often tell a sad story. After the stress they endure and the shoes they are forced to be in, the outcome can be injury and all sorts of lumps and bumps. A common “bump” treated at the podiatric office of Dr. Tejas Pandya is often a corn.

A corn is a thick hardened patch of skin that develops over time. Often found on the top and sides of your toes, corns appear as a form of defense from your skin rubbing against the inside of your shoes. Corns can be painful and make it difficult to wear shoes, so preventing them is key! Dr. Pandya offers some helpful tips to remember in order to avoid painful corns:

Choose shoes wisely - Since poor fitting footwear is often the culprit, avoid squeezing your toes into tight toe boxes. The pressure and friction will cause your skin to become irritated and corns to develop. High heels are one style that put a lot of pressure on toes and should be avoided if possible. The rule of thumb is that your shoes are too tight if you can’t wiggle your toes. There are some shoes that will respond to stretching to ease the pressure on your feet. A shoe shop can help stretch the toe box so it won’t pinch your toes. 

Take action - If you are feeling any pressure points, use a bandage or non-medicated corn pad to protect the area and prevent a corn from developing. There are toe separators that can help prevent soft corns from developing between your toes.

Complications can arise from having corns and an infection is a serious foot problem, especially if you have diabetes. Beat corns before they even start! For help removing corns, contact Capital District Podiatry and make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. Call (518) 273-0053 today! 

Foot Odor & Sandals

 Do you have a pair sandals that you just love but are having a hard time wearing because of how they make your feet smell? During the summer, your shoes can create the type of warm, damp environment that bacteria love to invade. Foot odor can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in New York treats all foot and ankle problems and has helped many patients through their foot odor woes. Foot odor problems can be the result of sweaty, dirty feet, which can be inevitable in sandals during the warm summer months. Basically, bacteria can grow in your shoes and on your feet themselves. They feed on oil and dead skin cells and can multiply quickly. You may not like to know it, but it is the waste that the bacteria emit that causes the odor on your feet and in your shoes.

You are probably wondering now what you can do about it! The good news is that there are ways to prevent foot odor. Dr. Pandya suggests the following tips:

•   Clean your feet daily to avoid smelly feet. Use an antibacterial soap and dry your feet thoroughly. It may also help to use a disinfectant foot spray in your sandals.

•   Your feet contain 250,000 sweat glands and if they are overactive, foot odor is often a symptom. Wearing socks that absorb sweat can improve a foot odor problem. An antiperspirant spray used on the soles of your feet and directly on your sandals can prevent foot sweating.

•   Opt for sandals made of leather or natural materials. This allows your feet to breathe and reduces sweating. Change out the shoes you wear as well to allow sandals to dry out between uses.

If your foot odor is becoming a problem and these tips fail to improve your condition, please contact Dr. Pandya for help. Make an appointment by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or online . 

Summer Heat & Foot Swelling

It is a beautiful sunny day and you decide to go out for a walk but when you go to put your shoes on, they don’t fit because your feet have swelled in the heat. Is this a familiar situation for you?

The summer heat can be grueling on the whole body but feet often do not fair too well. When your legs and feet swell because of heat, it is called heat edema. Being in the heat often causes you to retain water and your blood vessels to dilate. When standing for longer periods of time, gravity then causes the fluid to pool in your legs and feet. If you are older in age, pregnant or overweight, the risk of swollen feet is higher.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in New York, treats all problems related to feet and ankles. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent and find relief for swollen feet in the middle of the summer:

•   Staying still will encourage the pooling of fluid in your legs and feet so avoid sitting and standing for long periods of time.

•   Keep your body cool and avoid salt intake as this can increase water retention.

•   Elevate your legs when you can.

•   Exercise will help remove the fluid from your legs and feet.

While swollen feet are common, take note if you have any secondary symptoms such as a fever or if the swelling worsens. You may have something more serious going on. Please contact Dr. Pandya with any questions or concerns about swollen feet. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment at our Troy or Clifton Park, NY podiatric office. Visit us online as well www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.