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! 

Manage Your Arthritis with the Food You Eat!

Arthritis affects 50 million adults and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis can destroy bones, joints, cartilage and muscles and is a disease for which there is no cure. It doesn’t just affect older people either. There are around 300,000 children with the disease as well. 

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya, has treated many patients who have arthritis and are living with the complications associated with having the disease. Gout is a painful type of arthritis that can attack the big toe joint. Physical limitations often hinder efforts to stay fit and healthy. Trying to manage a heart condition or obesity can be difficult due to the effects of arthritis, but controlling what you eat is one way to improve the symptoms of arthritis.

Studies show that there are certain foods that can trigger, relieve, or prevent pain altogether. If you suffer with episodes of gout, the chemicals in alcohol can trigger an attack as they stimulate the production of uric acid. Foods rich in purines can also worsen the symptoms of gout. The food additive MSG, wheat and nightshade vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and eggplant can each trigger joint pain as well.

There are some foods known to be helpful for the pain associated with arthritis. To help with pain and inflammation, choose foods made with whole grains and with omega-3 fatty acids. These would include whole oats, brown rice, popcorn, flaxseed, walnuts, tuna and salmon. Fruits and vegetables such as peppers, broccoli, squash, grapes, kiwi and berries are high in antioxidants and also help with pain and inflammation.

If arthritis in your feet or ankles is diminishing your quality of life, let us help. We can provide the treatment you need to get back into the activities that you love. Make an appointment with our Troy, NY podiatric office today. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit us online www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.