Getting Rid of Athlete’s Foot

Are you someone plagued with foot problems? Annoying and unsightly problems such as Athlete’s foot can happen to any of us. The US National Library of Medicine claims “15%-25% of people are likely to have Athlete’s foot at any one time.”  As tempting as it may be to simply put your feet undercover in the hopes that it will disappear, most likely that is not going to cut it!

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya sees and treats this foot problem on a regular basis and knows with experience that the right treatment at the right time is essential to bring feet back to health and stop the infection from spreading. Who would want red, itchy, scaly skin to spread to other parts of the body or to other people? Get rid of Athlete’s foot the right way by keeping a few valuable tips in mind.

Most of the time, this foot infection can be treated at home. Start with washing your feet often with soap and water and dry feet completely each time, especially between your toes. Bacteria love warm, damp places so keep them from growing by wearing clean cotton socks and changing them often if your feet tend to sweat during the day. Antifungal powders and sprays are also great to keep the infection at bay.

At the end of the day, if these simple measures are just not giving you relief from your symptoms, it is time to call Capital District Podiatry. Dr. Pandya will be able to provide a treatment to target your foot problem and get rid of it once and for all. Don’t wait – call us today at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment.

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 . 

What Do I Do About My Swollen Feet When I Have Diabetes?

Living with diabetes can present a number of challenges. Whether you have been recently diagnosed or have been trying to keep it under control for years, it takes some effort. It can also cause several complications that can affect your feet and quality of life in general. Swelling of the feet is a common complication that can develop with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, there are several reasons your feet can swell but it is often associated with neuropathy. Diabetes can cause poor circulation. When blood does not flow properly, the lack of blood supply takes its toll and can result in nerve damage, or neuropathy. The damaged blood vessels do not constrict and relax like they should which can lead to fluid buildup and swelling.

Is a swollen foot something to worry about if I have diabetes?

The answer is a loud YES! Sometimes feet can become swollen if you have been standing or walking around all day but a swollen foot can also be a symptom of an infection or an ulcer. If you have diabetes, neuropathy hinders your ability to feel pain so a swollen foot is something to take notice of and take action for immediately.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya, consistently reminds his patients with diabetes that a swollen foot could be indicating a serious situation. You should have a good knowledge of when this happens and what the cause might be. There are many general foot care tips that Dr. Pandya encourages diabetic patients to follow such as daily foot care, proper toenail maintenance, wearing appropriate shoes and quick treatment for any injury. All of these can reduce your chances of having swollen feet.

Are you dealing with swollen feet and need help? If you have diabetes, we highly encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. Please contact our podiatric office in Troy, NY today with any questions or to make an appointment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.