Corns on Your Feet?

Let’s get real. Feet are not a favorite subject to talk about and most of the time they are not paid much attention until they hurt. Do you agree? At our podiatric offices, we see many foot conditions on a daily basis and corns are a very common problem treated by foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya. They can be irritating and painful but the good news is that you don’t have to live with them!

What exactly is a corn?

Corns are actually calluses that form, usually on the tops of your toes. When your toes rub against the inside of your shoes, the surface of your skin thickens into a small callus to protect itself from the friction.

Wearing shoes that do not fit properly or that squish your toes such as with high heels most commonly cause corns. Conditions such as hammertoe or claw toe also cause corns since toes are deformed and bent which puts pressure on them when wearing shoes.

Do you need to treat a corn?

The answer is yes and no. If you are healthy and your corn is not painful or bothering you, then it will usually go away if you remove what was causing friction in the first place. Dr. Pandya often recommends the use of foam pads to protect the corn or soaking it regularly and using a pumice stone to reduce the size of it.

If your corns are being persistent and painful or if you have a secondary condition such as diabetes, please contact our office for help. Your foot health needs to be a priority and a small callus could lead to more serious complications. Call our office in Troy, NY or Clifton Park, NY for an appointment at (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Foot Odor

Are you suffering from an embarrassing case of stinky feet? It is a common foot problem so no fear, you are not alone! Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY treats patients on a regular basis who are tired of dealing with their foot odor problem. The good news is that once you discover what may be causing it, there are many treatment options out there to get it under control.

If you have a foot odor problem, there are many reasons for why it may be there in the first place. Common reasons for foot odor include the type of footwear you are wearing on a daily basis and having feet that tend to sweat

Bacteria love to live and thrive in dark, moist areas and your shoes are prime real estate. When it meets with the perspiration of the feet, the result can be odor that is not only uncomfortable but can be embarrassing as well. Hyperhidrosis is an inherited condition that involves excessive sweating. Other factors that influence sweating include medications, fluid intake, stress and hormonal changes.

Now that you have been educated a bit, you are probably wondering what you can do to help your smelly feet, right? Dr. Pandya encourages patients to follow some simple tips:

    •    Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and water.
    •    Always wear socks in shoes and avoid shoes made of plastic.
    •    Take care of any fungal infections promptly and thoroughly.
    •    Rotate your shoes each day and wear thick socks that draw moisture away from your feet.

If these steps do not improve your condition, we are here to help! Make an appointment with Dr. Pandya by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Dealing with Dry Skin?

Did you know that your skin is actually your body’s largest organ? It is made up of three layers and serves to protect and regulate temperature. There are a lot of factors that can make skin change from soft and supple to dry and cracked. When dry skin occurs on the feet, it can not only be unsightly but become painful as well.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY treats many patients with dry feet. There are several factors that can cause dry feet, some of which you may not be aware of:

• Psoriasis
• Vitamin deficiency
• Age 
• Diabetes 
• Excess weight
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease

To help dry skin, there are a few tips that will make a difference. First off, drink plenty of water.  After bathing or showering when skin is soft, remove build up of dry skin with a pumice stone. Then apply a lotion rich in emollients but avoid between your toes as this increases the risk for fungal infections.

If following these tips doesn’t help to improve your dry skin after several days, it would be advised to make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. Something else may be the underlying cause and since dry, cracking skin can be a small sign of something more serious such as diabetes, it is important to get it treated. Make an appointment with Dr. Pandya and keep your foot health a priority. Call our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Winter Pedicures – Are They Safe?

Pedicures can be traced back 5000 years to India when people polished their nails with henna. Nail polish was used to show status in 3000 B.C. China. Wearing red or black gave you elite status. The Egyptians in 2300 B.C. also colored their nails.

A pedicure = foot care

In Latin, “pes” means foot and “cura” means care, meaning getting a pedicure is ultimately caring for your feet. There are some important rules to follow though to ensure feet stay safe and healthy. In the winter feet can get dry with less moisture in the air. A pedicure can slough away rough skin and calluses but never allow a technician to use a razor. It increases the risk of injury and infection. If dry feet have resulted in cracks in your skin, avoid a pedicure entirely. Cracks in your skin are at great risk for infection if any bacteria gets in.

As tempted as you may be, don’t shave before heading to the salon. Shaving can leave tiny nicks in your skin and the bacteria in a dirty foot bath is not something you want near them. Invest in your own tools as well. Even if a salon looks inviting, they may not sterilize their equipment well and germs can linger on old tools.

Here is a handy winter pedicure tip: To avoid wasting your money on a great winter pedicure, ask the technician to put cuticle oil on your toenails and put plastic around them before putting your shoes or boots back on.

If you have an injury that needs treatment before being able to get a pedicure or if getting one has given you an injury, contact Dr. Tejas Pandya, a foot specialist in Troy, NY. Call our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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