People with diabetes are prone to foot problems, often developing from a combination of poor circulation and nerve damage. Damage to the nerves in the legs and feet diminishes skin sensation, making it difficult to detect or notice pain or temperature changes. A minor sore or scrape on your foot may get infected simply because you don't know it is there. A decrease in blood flow makes it difficult for these injuries to heal. And when a wound isn't healing, it's at risk for infection. Left untreated, minor foot injuries can result in ulceration and even amputation.

Foot Care for Diabetics

Simple daily foot care can help prevent serious health problems associated with diabetes.

Dr. Rothstein recommends the following tips for keeping your feet healthy and to help prevent the complications that can be caused by diabetes:

• Wash your feet daily. Keep feet clean with mild soap and lukewarm water, and dry thoroughly.
• Moisturize daily to keep dry skin from cracking, and avoid putting lotion between your toes as this may cause infection.
• As a general rule diabetics or their family members should not cut their toenails. Your podiatrist, Dr. Rothstein, should perform this care
• Never treat corns or calluses on your own. Visit Dr. Rothstein or your podiatrist for this treatment.
• Protect your feet from hot and cold.  If your feet are cold never put them near a heater or in hot water.  Put on another pair of socks.
• Keep the blood flowing in your feet and legs. Elevate your feet when sitting; don't sit cross-legged; and stay active.  Walking is a great exercise to stimulate circulation.
• Inspect your feet every day. Check your feet for cuts, redness, swelling and nail problems. Contact Dr. Rothstein, or your podiatrist, if you notice anything unusual- even the slightest change.
• Avoid Smoking. Smoking restricts blood flow to your feet
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and never walk barefoot
• Visit Dr. Rothstein for regular foot exams to help prevent diabetic foot problems.

Dr. Rothstein understands that living with diabetes can be challenging. Come in to discuss simple ways you can reduce your risk of diabetic foot complications. Dr. Rothstein will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and gets you back on your feet so you can enjoy the things you love. Remember to inspect your feet every day. If you detect an injury- no matter how small- come in for an exam right away.
 

Corns and calluses are thick, hardened areas of skin that develop in response to your body's natural defense to repeated pressure or friction. While neither condition presents a long-term or serious health risk, they can be painful, irritating and unattractive and make your daily activities difficult.

Identifying a Corn or Callus

Corns and calluses are similar in nature, but differ in size and location. Corns are smaller than calluses and usually have a hard, thickened center surrounded by red, inflamed skin. They typically develop on the tops and sides of your toes and can be painful when touched or while wearing shoes. Calluses generally develop on the balls of your feet. They vary in size and shape, although they are almost always larger than corns.

For most people who develop calluses or corns, eliminating the source of pressure is usually enough to make them not hurt as badly. Dr. Rothstein recommends the following for treating corns and calluses:

• Wear comfortable shoes and socks. When footwear fits properly, there is less opportunity for friction and rubbing to occur.
• Soak your feet in warm, soapy water to help soften the corns and calluses, then gently rub the thickened skin with a pumice stone to remove toughened layers of skin.
• Keeping your feet moisturized with foot cream or lotion will help improve the quality of your skin 

When to Seek Care from Dr. Alan Rothstein

When corns and calluses don't respond to the conservative care outlined above they may be caused by an underlying deformity in the bones of the toes or the metatarsal bones. If this is the case, contact either of our locations for a careful evaluation.  Dr. Rothstein will investigate the causes of your corn or callus and recommend an appropriate treatment plan to alleviate your condition.  Never attempt to cut away a corn or callus on your own, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Instead, seek advice from Dr. Rothstein for careful removal and proper care.

A bunion is an abnormal, bony prominence that develops on the joint at the base of your big toe. As the big toe joint becomes enlarged, it forces the toe to crowd against your other toes, and the pressure exerted on your big toe joint results in inflammation and pain. Early treatment is necessary to decrease the risk of developing joint deformities.

Bunions develop due to prolonged abnormal pressure or motion on your big toe joint, most often caused by inherited structural defects, poor-fitting shoes, foot injuries, or congenital deformities. Women are generally more prone to bunions because of the shoe types typically worn, such as high-heels and narrow-toed shoes.

Bunion pain can range from mild to severe, often making it difficult to wear shoes and perform normal activities. You should contact our Marietta office if you notice the following symptoms:

• An enlarged, visible bulge on your big toe joint
• Restricted movement of your big toe or foot that prevents you from performing normal activities
• Irritation, corns or calluses caused by the overlap of the first and second toes
• Frequent pain, swelling or redness around your big toe joint

Treatment for a bunion will vary depending on its severity. Identifying the condition in its early stages is important to avoid surgery, with the main objective of early treatment being to relieve pressure and stop the progression of the deformity. Many times conservative treatments, such as padding, modified footwear or orthotic devices can be highly effective for preventing further growth and reducing the pressure and pain.

Windy Hill Podiatry Associates PC recommends the following for reducing pressure and pain caused by bunions:

• Wear comfortable shoes that don't cramp or irritate your toes and avoid high-heeled shoes
• Apply ice to reduce inflammation and pain
• Our podiatrists can show you how to apply padding to your foot to place it in its normal position and reduce stress on the bunion

When early treatments fail or the persistent pain associated with your bunion is interfering with your daily activities, a surgical procedure may be recommended as a last resort to realign the toe joint and alleviate the pressure. Windy Hill Podiatry Associates PC can advise you on the best treatment options available to relieve pressure on the bunion and slow the progression of the joint deformity.

Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, can occur anywhere in the skeletal system, and the feet are no exception. Bone spurs are simply overgrowths of bone that can develop on any normal bone, but most commonly form where two bones come together. Bone spurs in the feet can be painless, but pressure from an acitvity or poorly fitting shoes may cause the spurs to rub against nerve endings or other structures in the foot, resulting in pain.

Causes of Bone Spurs in the Feet

When your feet are repeatedly exposed to excessive pressure and stress, a bone spur can form from the body's normal response to repair itself. The following activities and conditions can also cause bone spurs in the feet:

• High-impact activities, such as running and fitness walking
• Excessive weight
• Poor-fitting footwear
• Tightening of the plantar fascia due to excessive stress
• Aging
• Arthritis

Because sometimes there are no obvious symptoms associated with bone spurs, diagnosing the disorder can be difficult. Some people experience frequent pain in particular areas of their foot when exposed to pressure, which prompts them to seek medical care. Other people can go long periods of time with no symptoms even if they have a large spur. An x-ray can easily identify the spur, but if it isn't causing pain, damaging other tissues, or restricting your movement, treatment probably won't be necessary.

Identifying the cause of your bone spur, such as poor-fitting shoes and making subtle changes in fit or style, may be enough to reduce the pressure and relieve the pain.

Conservative treatments for bone spurs include:

• Change in footwear
• Custom orthotic devices
• Weight loss
• Padding
• Deep tissue massage and stretching
• Cortisone injections

If you're experiencing chronic foot pain, schedule an appointment at either of our offices.  Dr. Rothstein will carefully examine your feet and evaluate your symptoms to better understand your condition. If you've developed a bone spur, we can work with you to create an appropriate treatment plan that best fits your needs and puts an end to your frustrating foot pain.

Athlete's foot is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin and is frequently seen in our Marietta office. Whether you've had it or not, it's important to understand how you can avoid and treat this highly contagious infection if you do contract it.

The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in damp, moist environments and often grows in warm, humid climates, such as locker rooms, showers and public pools; hence the name "athlete's foot. " This infection can itch and burn causing the skin on your feet and between your toes to crack and peel.

Tips from Windy Hill Podiatry Associates PC for avoiding Athlete's Foot:

• Keep your feet dry, allowing them to air out as much as possible
• Wear socks that draw moisture away from your feet and change them frequently if you perspire heavily
• Wear light, well-ventilated shoes
• Alternate pairs of shoes, allowing time for your shoes to dry each day
• Always wear waterproof shoes in public areas, such as pools, locker rooms, or communal showers
• Never borrow shoes due to the risk of spreading a fungal infection

Treatment

A mild case of athlete's foot will generally clear up on its own with over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays. But since re-infection is common due to its contagious nature, many people require prescribed anti-fungal medication to effectively treat the infection. Generally, it's always best to consult with Windy Hill Podiatry Associates PC before choosing a treatment.

Mild cases of athlete's foot can turn severe and even cause a serious bacterial infection. If you notice your rash has become increasingly red, swollen and painful or you develop blisters and sores, call our Marietta office right away. Athlete's foot left untreated could eventually spread to other body parts and infect other people around you.

With the right treatment, you'll be cured of your athlete's foot in no time, which means the sooner you can enjoy the activities you love without pain and irritation!