Items filtered by date: March 2023

The pain and discomfort that can happen from having an ingrown toenail can cause difficulty in completing daily activities. They occur when the side of the toenail grows into the skin instead of over it. Ingrown toenails can occur from wearing shoes that are too tight, such as high heels or shoes with a pointed toe. They may also happen if the toenails are trimmed incorrectly or possibly for genetic reasons. Some patients are born with abnormal nail shapes, and this may cause an ingrown toenail to develop. The first sign an ingrown toenail is developing can be mild swelling and redness, and if not treated promptly, the nail may become painful. The nail may turn a white or yellow color, which may precede a possible infection. Soaking the affected foot in warm water may bring mild relief, followed by using a piece of cotton to gently remove the nail from digging into the skin. This may provide temporary relief and will ultimately need to be examined by a podiatrist. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you consult with this type of doctor who can successfully treat ingrown toenails. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM of Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Parents have been experts on wound care for their family for many years. Bandages and antiseptic medications are standard medicine cabinet items in most houses. Certain areas of the body, such as the feet and toes, can be a bit more problematic when dealing with wounds. Any time you sustain an injury, such as a puncture wound or injury that will not stop bleeding, it is essential that you seek immediate medical help. But for other types of wounds, injuries, or sores, home care may be sufficient. For instance, in most cases, a blister on the foot will heal itself, given enough time. But if a blister pops, the risk of infection increases and protecting it with a bandage that provides cushioning is a good idea. Sores on the feet and toes can pose additional problems that can be solved with special bandages that fit odd-shaped areas. Keeping these dry and changing them regularly is essential. For any type of sore or wound on the foot that is causing increased pain or showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist.  

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Blisters are common foot injuries that often result from repeated friction of the toes against the inside of a stiff shoe. A blister formation is actually nature’s way of protecting the skin by separating its layers and allowing fluid to form in between them. This fluid is called serum, which protects the lower layers of skin from damage. Three main types of blisters are friction, blood, and heat blisters. There are a number of ways to prevent blisters, such as keeping your feet dry. This is especially useful for runners, who may need to invest in moisture-wicking socks. Another popular prevention method is to wear shoes that fit properly. They shouldn’t be too small, large, tight, or loose, as any of these conditions can contribute to blister formation. If you frequently notice blisters forming in one or more particular spots, try protecting that area with bandages or other coverings. And finally, when you start to feel a blister coming on, stop the activity. If your blister does not heal on its own or becomes infected, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for safe and antiseptic treatment.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM of Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Few people know that the name of the foot measuring device in most shoe stores and departments is called the Brannock device. It was invented in 1925 by Charles Brannock, who worked in a shoe store and discovered that determining customers' proper shoe size was difficult. The Ritz Stick was its predecessor, which was simply a fancy wooden ruler that measured the length of the feet and then had to be repositioned to measure the width. Brannock’s goal was to develop a device to measure both the length and width of the foot at the same time, hence the Brannock device. This device changed the course of history and helped scores of people determine their correct shoe size. Since then, more high-tech ways of measuring the feet are available in some shoe stores, such as scanners in athletic shoe stores. Not wearing properly fitted shoes can result in a host of foot problems. Measuring both feet is critical before buying new shoes and beyond that, making sure they are comfortable from the get-go is important. If you need help determining your correct shoe size, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for assistance.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Gabe Rodriguez, DPM from Sioux Falls Foot Specialist. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Sioux Falls, SD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.