8 Foot Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Feet have a pretty tough job to do. But just because feet are tough, doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Yet, many people will ignore persistent foot pain or changes in the foot’s appearance and function for too long. Ignoring early warning signs of foot problems can leave you at risk for more serious foot conditions. Here are several foot symptoms that could spell the start of a more serious problem.

Toenail discoloration

Discoloration of your toenails could be a sign of a fungal nail infection, which often begins as a yellow or dark spot under the nail. If left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding toes. If you have diabetes, an unchecked fungal nail infection could become extreme enough to lead to foot amputation.

Skin discoloration

Many conditions can cause discoloration of the feet. One, known as Raynaud’s disease, is characterized by a sequence of color changes in the skin as a response to cold or stress. 

Heel Pain

Heel pain caused by stepping on a hard object like a rock will usually go away on its own with a bit of rest. But when heel pain doesn’t subside, it could be a sign of a more serious foot condition like plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. Left untreated, heel pain can lead to difficulty in walking that may ultimately require complicated, lengthy, or costly therapy. Read our guide on what to do at the first sign of heel pain. 

Cold feet

Chronically cold feet and toes could be a sign of poor blood circulation. Smoking and smoking-related conditions like COPD can often affect the circulation of blood throughout the body. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and many forms of heart disease can restrict arteries and reduce blood flow as well. Bodily extremities like the feet are particularly susceptible to poor circulation, which may make feet feel cold or numb. 

Itchy feet

The most common culprit of itchy feet is a fungal infection like athlete’s foot. In some cases, itchy feet may result from an allergic reaction to skin creams or from an immune condition like psoriasis. 

Big toe pain

Pain focused around the tip and corner of your toenail, could be a sign of an ingrown toenail. Sudden, severe pain in the big toe joint (especially at night) could be caused by a form of arthritis called gout. Rheumatoid arthritis could be another explanation for toe pain, as early symptoms tend to affect toe and finger joints. 

Foot swelling

Often, foot swelling comes from standing for an extended period of time, wearing restrictive footwear or a minor injury like a sprained ankle. However, foot swelling that lasts for more than a couple of days could be caused by fluid buildup due to heart failure or kidney disease. Swelling may also result from inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. 

Burning sensation

Tired, overworked feet can cause short-term burning or tingling. More severe burning or tingling in the feet could be a sign of diabetic nerve damage or a circulatory condition known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

If you ignore what your feet are trying to tell you, you could up facing some pretty serious consequences. In addition to paying close attention to your feet, you should schedule regular visits to your podiatrist for a thorough foot health evaluation. If you’re in the Austin area, contact us for an appointment at our North Austin location today!

9 Strange and Interesting Foot Facts

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It’s surprising how little we actually think about our feet. Especially since our feet are a pair of the most useful body parts that we have, and, as it turns out, they’re pretty amazing to boot! Don’t believe it? Check out these strange, interesting, and little-known facts about your feet that might surprise you:

1.       1/4 of all of the bones in the human body are in the feet. Each foot is made up of approximately 26 bones. The human foot also has 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

2.       The average pair of feet walk around 115,000 miles in a lifetime. That’s more than four times the distance it takes to circle the earth! To stay healthy, it’s recommended that a person takes 10,000 steps a day – which equates to almost 5 miles. Most people who live a sedentary lifestyle take fewer than 3,000 steps per day.

3.       The world’s largest feet are a US size 26. The average men’s size shoe is 10 1/2. The Guinness World Record for the world’s largest feet is currently held by Orlando Rodriguez Hernandez of Venezuela. His feet measure 1 foot, 3.79 inches on the right foot) and 1 foot, 3.59 inches on the left foot. It’s rare for both feet to be exactly the same size. One foot is usually larger than the other.

4.       Toenails grow faster during hot weather, pregnancy and teenage years.

5.       Almost half of all toenail problems are due to fungal infections. Fungal toenail infection tends to become more likely with age. Nearly 50% of people over the age of 60 will experience a fungal toenail infection. Another common cause of toenail problems is ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails are often caused by bad toenail trimming techniques or too-tight footwear.

6.       75% of Americans will experience foot problems at one time or another in their lives.

7.       Some medical conditions can show up first in the feet. For example, food-related symptoms of diabetes can include a foot infection or reduced circulation or numbness in the feet.

8.       A podiatrist, or foot doctor, specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of foot and ankle problems. In the US, podiatrists must study for a minimum of 4 years, complete a residency, and must be state licensed before they can legally practice and offer advice on all aspects of foot health.

9.       Despite this, the feet are often the most neglected part of the body.  Public surveys frequently reveal that they feet are the body part that people like the least.

To help keep your feet looking and feeling as amazing as they are, be sure to schedule regular visits to your podiatrist for check-ups. You should visit your foot doctor at least once a year, or more often if you have diabetes or an existing foot problem. If you haven’t had your feet checked in a while, contact us today to schedule your next appointment!

Common Foot Deformities: Bunions

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There are a number of structural issues with the foot that can lead to pain, reduced foot function, and an unusual or unsightly appearance of the foot. Many adult foot ailments stem from structural foot deformities that were present at birth or in early childhood. But not all foot deformities are present from birth (aka, congenital), some are acquired later on in life as a result of trauma or overuse. If detected early, many foot abnormalities can be treated during childhood to minimize impact to the foot’s structure and function in adulthood.

About Bunions

One of the most common foot deformities is bunions. A bunion is a bulge that develops over the big toe joint due to a structural deformity in the joint. A bunion is also usually characterized by a deviation in the position of the big toe. The name bunion is derived from the Latin word for turnip. The medical name for a bunion is hallux valgus.

Bunions tend to occur in families, which suggests that some people are genetically predisposed to developing bunions. Bunions tend to occur more frequently among women than men. This might be due to tight-fitting women’s footwear like pointed-toe shoes and many high-heeled shoe styles.

Bunion Appearance

The main sign of a bunion is when the big toe points towards the other toes on the same foot, which may force the foot bone attached to it to stick outwards, creating a bulge.

Other visual signs and symptoms of a bunion may include:

  •        a swollen, bony bump on the outside edge of the foot
  •        changes to the shape of the foot
  •        sore, reddened or darkened skin on top of the bunion
  •        hard, callused skin underneath or on the side of the big toe
  •        reddened or thickened skin caused by the big toe and second toe overlapping

Bunion Pain

The pain associated with a bunion is caused by pressure and friction on the skin and soft tissues surrounding the bulging big toe joint. Bunion pain symptoms and side effects include:

  •        Inflammation and redness
  •        Increased tenderness or sensitivity
  •        Sharp pain or soreness
  •        A burning sensation
  •        Possible numbness

Bunion pain symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes, such as shoes with a tight toe box or high heels. Spending long periods of time on your feet can also cause or increase bunion pain.

Bunion Side Effects

Over time, progression of the big toe deformity can affect the mechanics of the foot and put extra strain on the foot ligaments and muscles and pain in the forefoot and toes (metatarsalgia). A painful callus may also occur under the big toe joint.

Because the shape of the foot changes, bunions can make it difficult to find shoes that fit

If untreated, bunions can cause arthritis in the big toe and push the second toe out of place.

Bunion Treatment Options

Bunion treatment is initially conservative – changing footwear, pain medications, orthotics, taping, bunion splints, and foot exercises are usually recommended for less severe bunions. Bunion surgery may be recommended in more advanced cases. For more on how bunions are treated, read our bunion pain relief guide.

Do you suffer from bunions? Are you concerned about how to keep your bunion from getting worse? Make an appointment with Dr. Lamour today! Our Austin-area podiatry practice specializes in treating and relieving bunion pain.

5 Ways to Prevent Ingrown Toenails

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If you want to reduce your risk of ingrown toenails, here are a few simple tips:

1.       Trim your nails properly

Always use toenail clippers, not fingernail clippers to trim toenails. These larger clippers are meant for larger nails, and you’ll be less likely to damage or split your nails if you use the right tool.

Disinfect toenail clippers by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol before and after use.

Never tear your toenails to trim them.

Trim toenails straight across the width of your toe. Don’t cut your toenails into a curved or v-shape.

Don’t cut your toenails too short – toenails should be even with the tips of your toes. When toenails are clipped extremely short, they have a tendency to grow into the surrounding skin.

2.       Choose the right shoe size & shape

Be sure to choose shoes that are wide enough so they don’t squeeze your toes or push your big toe inward. Shoes that put too much pressure on your toes can cause the toenail to grow into the surrounding tissue.

3.       Avoid tight, restrictive socks & pantyhose

Avoid tight-fitting socks, or wearing pantyhose for long periods of time. This is especially important if you have flat feet, or other foot conditions that cause your foot to overpronate, or roll inward when you walk. This puts more pressure on the side of your toenails and increases the likelihood of an ingrown toenail.

4.       Don’t trim, or pick at toenail cuticles

Many pedicurists automatically trim or cut your cuticles as part of the service. Ask your pedicurist to push back your cuticles instead of cutting them. When doing your pedicure at home, use a moistened orange stick to gently push back cuticles that may be too long. Keeping cuticles intact is important, since they help protect against harmful bacteria and fungus that can cause both a fungal nail infection and lead to the infection of an ingrown toenail.

5.       Protect toes from injury

Always wear shoes when walking around, even at home. If your work puts you at risk of injuring your toes, wear protective footwear like steel-toed shoes. If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for signs of ingrown toenails or other foot problems.

Are you concerned about ingrown toenails? Have you had repeat bouts of ingrown toenails and are at a loss for what to do about them? Contact us today for an appointment and we can help you find the best solutions to get rid of ingrown toenails for good!