Step By Step Family Foot Care – Our Blog: For Your Foot Health

November 20, 2023

Rebuff Raynaud’s and Fight Frostbite!

In the winter months, our feet deserve a little extra attention. Plummeting temperatures can exacerbate issues with circulation; the body must work harder to pump blood, and extremities like the feet, farthest of all from the heart, are often first to feel the adverse effects of cold.

Step by Step Family Footcare is committed to helping patients make informed decisions about their health, so we’ve put together a short, informative guide concerning two common winter woes: Raynaud’s disease and frostbite. Both conditions can lead to discomfort, pain, and long-term consequences if not addressed promptly.

What is Raynaud’s Disease?

This circulatory disorder affects blood flow to certain body parts, usually the fingers and toes.
Raynaud’s worsens when the body is exposed to cold or stress.
In severe cases, it can lead to numbness, tingling, and even color changes in the affected areas.

Our expert team is here to help! We can provide guidance on proper winter footwear and socks, perform diagnostic tests to determine the extent of any circulation problems, and help you avoid risk factors like smoking. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, migraine medicines, and cold medicines, can also complicate or worsen Raynaud’s.

What to Watch for With Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
The extremities, including the toes, are particularly susceptible to frostbite.
Minor cases can be reversed, but severe ones can permanently damage your feet.

We will assist you in preventing frostbite by promoting good circulation and footwear choices. We’ll also help to identify risk factors or early signs. Timely intervention can prevent the progression of frostbite and minimize the risk of complications, so if you need immediate treatment, we’ve got that covered, too.

Step By Step Family Foot Care will keep you warm and walking this winter! To make an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule one online. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to assist you.

October 23, 2023

Heal Your Hammertoe

If you notice that one or more of your smaller toes are bending up at the middle joint, you may have a hammertoe. A muscle and ligament imbalance in the toe joint causes this deformity. The middle joint can bend up and stay in this position.

Hammertoes often run in families but may also be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit properly. The unattractiveness isn’t the only thing that brings patients in – they can also be painful and cause problems with walking. Blisters and calluses may develop when the elevated middle joint rubs against your shoes.

Diagnosing and Treating Hammertoes

To confirm our diagnosis of hammertoes, we will give you a thorough medical exam and take x-rays right in our office. We have several conservative treatment options based on the severity of the deformity:

Anti-inflammatory medication can ease pain and swelling.
For acute pain, cortisone injections will help.
Custom-fitted orthotics that fit inside your shoe can relieve pain and prevent the hammertoe from worsening.
In the early stages, when the toe is still fairly flexible, splinting may help.
Switch to low-heeled shoes with wide-toe boxes and keep at least one-half-inch space between your toes and the tip of the shoe.

If the above methods don’t help, we may recommend surgery to realign the toe.

Keep Hammertoes from Getting Worse

Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes that are wide in the toes with plenty of room before the front of the shoe.
Try non-medicated over-the-counter hammertoe pads to relieve pressure from the top of the toe joint.
Massage the toe and apply ice packs to ease pain and swelling.
Try toe exercises like picking up a marble with your toes and scrunching a towel with the toes.

Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to assist you with your podiatry needs! To make an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to help.

September 27, 2023

Don’t Ignore Your Bunion

Are you dismissing the new — or old — bump on the side of your big toe joint? What you see is most likely a bunion, a type of progressive toe deformity. To your surprise, it may not be causing pain. We encourage you, however, to visit a podiatrist regardless of how your toe feels at the time. A bunion is a toe deformity because the bones in the big toe joint are out of alignment. The misalignment will only continue to worsen. If you consider ignoring this condition, listed below are three reasons to reconsider.

Pain May Be Persistent

While some patients aren’t bothered by this condition, others may have a different story. Bunions can become very painful, especially if they are rigid. In the early stages of progression, this type of deformity can be flexible. During this phase, the greatest opportunity is to make improvements without considering surgery.

Other Toes May Be Impacted

The growing size of a bunion can impact the surrounding toes. They, too, can become misaligned. We want to help you prevent the impact on other toes. It is best to monitor the alignment and take steps to prevent it from worsening.

Calluses Can Grow

As your bunion grows, you can guarantee it is rubbing against the inside of your shoe. This friction is the top cause of a callus, a spot of thickened skin. It is your body’s defense against exposure to too much friction. If you aren’t paying attention, your bunion can bring on many other problems.

August 21, 2023

Your Guide to Healthy Feet

At Step By Step Family Foot Care, we enthusiastically encourage our patients to be proactive about the health of their feet. Your feet are the foundation of your body. We take them for granted most days, but healthy feet enable you to stand, walk, run, work, shop, and do almost every other activity you love. There is much you can do to keep your feet fully functioning and prevent podiatric disorders. Let’s take a closer look.

Choose Your Shoes Wisely

Shoes that are well-made and fit properly are essential to maintaining your feet’ health. Get your feet professionally measured. Don’t be surprised if one foot is larger than the other – this can happen! Always buy shoes to accommodate the larger foot. Choose footwear styles with these features:

Roomy toe box (you should be able to wiggle all your toes freely)
Heel heights of two inches or less, but not completely flat
Good arch support
Cushioned insole and heel cup

Your shoe choice can minimize your risk of bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and other foot problems, so choose carefully!

Don’t Neglect Daily Foot Care

Washing your feet daily with warm, soapy water and drying feet completely can go a long way toward preventing bacterial and viral infections like athlete’s foot. Apply talcum or anti-fungal powder in the morning and a thick moisturizer at night. Keep nails trimmed, and be sure that the nails are not growing into the skin of the nail bed and becoming ingrown.

Never Ignore Your Pain

Pain, numbness, burning, swelling, bruising, and tenderness in your feet are all your body’s way of telling you there’s a problem. Putting off seeking treatment can often lead to worsening the condition and even developing secondary disorders. Contact us if you are concerned about an issue with your toes, feet, or ankles.

August 2, 2023August 3, 2023

Say Goodbye to Fungal Infections

Summer means sweat, and sometimes sweat can lead to bacteria and infection. How can you avoid a fungal foot infection this season? The best solution is prevention and protecting your feet from the microbes that cause the infection in the first place. Fungus loves warm, moist environments, such as those of your shoes. Keeping your feet and shoes dry and bacteria-free is most important for avoiding Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, but there are plenty of other solutions.

How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus Today:

1. Avoid direct contact with microbes by protecting your feet

Public showers, bathrooms, locker rooms, and such are teaming with microbes. Wear shower shoes or sandals to protect your feet from microbes.

2. Trim your toenails properly

Trimming them straight across or on a slight curve and keeping them a little long will help prevent ingrown toenails that can be the precursor to a frustrating fungal toenail infection.

3. Wear breathable, lightweight socks and shoes

Choose those made of breathable materials to allow moisture to evaporate instead of building up.

4. Keep your feet clean and dry

Wash your feet daily with mild soap. Take the time to dry them before putting on your socks and shoes. It will help keep microbes from growing.

5. Use medicinal lotions, sprays, and powders in your shoes and on your feet

Antifungal products can be applied to your feet and inside your shoes to kill the fungi directly.

Do you think you have a fungal infection? Call us as soon as possible! Don’t delay treatment.

Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to assist you with any of your podiatry needs! To make an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to help.

July 13, 2023

Common Pediatric Foot Problems

Unfortunately, when our children are experiencing foot pain, they don’t always tell us or are too young to communicate their pain. Not addressing foot pain until the problem worsens can lead to more challenging conditions and treatment plans. This is why keeping an eye on your child’s feet is crucial. Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to make that easier for parents.

Top 3 signs that your child’s feet need your attention:

1- Skin Looks Different

Sores and spots can develop anywhere on the feet. Red spots on the soles of the feet are a sign of an infection called hand, foot, and mouth disease. If you notice scaly spots on your child’s toes, your child could have athlete’s foot. And fleshy, elevated bumps that won’t heal are possibly warts that can be permanently removed.

2- Other Changes in Appearance

Examine your child’s ankles, feet, and gait. Note any blisters, redness or oozing, sudden pain, swelling, awkward gait, abnormal wear in their shoes, nail discoloration, changes in their skin, or redness. Also, note if any moles change in shape, size, or color.

3- Pain Doesn’t Go Away

Any pain that doesn’t go away with time is not normal. For instance, children are not safe from heel pain, particularly if they’re active in sports. Younger children have a growth plate in their heels, and walking can become painful when injured. Some children also suffer from arch pain, which may indicate flat feet. Even if your child can walk with their pain, it’s still possible they may have a tiny bone fracture.

Treating foot pain in children may be as simple as purchasing shoes in the next size up or as complex as surgery. If your child complains of foot pain or other issues, don’t wait – contact us to schedule an appointment.

May 24, 2023

Steer Clear of Injuries This Summer

Summer’s just around the corner, and with that comes extra time outside playing sports, hiking, visiting the beach, and enjoying the sunshine with your loved ones. While these activities are fun and exciting, it’s important to know that they can also put extra stress on your feet and ankles.

Keep a close eye on your feet this summer to avoid some of the injuries below:

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse, stress, injury, or degeneration. It can cause intense lower-leg pain or a chronic dull ache in the back of the lower leg. An increase in exercise intensity or duration can also lead to this injury.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is characterized by heel pain. This is when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot between the heel and the toes, is inflamed. Usually, this occurs due to stress from intense running or poor shoe support.

Ankle Sprain

When the ankle bones twist with too much force, the ligaments surrounding the outside of the bones may tear. If the sprain is not correctly diagnosed and treated, it may create permanent, lasting ankle trouble. It can cause moderate to severe pain, making it difficult to stand or walk.

Heel Spur

Spurs are outgrowths of the bone. They most commonly occur in the heel and usually develop in areas under constant pressure. Repeated running on hard surfaces and wearing footwear that does not correctly support the arch can put extra stress on the heel, leading to heel spurs.

Stress Fracture

Stress fractures are small fissures or cracks in the surface of the bone and usually occur in the forefoot or the area from the mid-foot extending to the toes. Stress fractures are quite common for athletes or anyone who engages in rigorous sports involving a lot of running. It can often cause pain and swelling in the lower leg and should be checked by a specialist.

April 25, 2023

Diabetes and Your Feet

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month! Our feet do so much for us, and we often take that for granted. If you suffer from diabetes, it’s especially important to keep a close eye on the health of your feet and put extra time and effort into taking care of them. Amputation and surgery may be your only solution if you aren’t careful. How can you prevent it? Let’s take a closer look.

The Trouble with Diabetes

With diabetes comes high blood sugar. Over time, this can damage your nerves and blood vessels, primarily in your feet. Nerve damage creates numbness, tingling, pain, or even loss of feeling in your feet. If you can’t feel any pain in your feet, it’s hard to tell when a potential problem will show up. You might be walking around with a wound or infection for weeks without realizing it, especially if it’s occurring on the underside of your foot!

Pay Close Attention

Even small cuts or blisters can become serious foot ailments when it comes to diabetes. One of the best ways you can prevent that is by regularly checking your feet for unusual findings. Here are some things to look out for:

Blisters
Cuts
Ulcers
Dry, cracked feet
Calluses
Cold feet

Wounds can get infected, and because diabetes affects the way you heal, it’s easy for complications to arise. Infections and poor blood flow can lead to gangrene. In worst-case scenarios, amputation and surgery are necessary. If you spot anything questionable, contact your podiatrist as soon as possible!

Keep Your Feet Safe

Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent a worst-case scenario situation. Controlling blood sugar is at the top of the list, as it will help lessen damage to your blood vessels and nerves. Alongside that, here are other ways to keep your feet healthy:

Check your feet every day.
Wash your feet every day.
Work alongside a podiatrist to keep your feet pain-free.
Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks.
Never walk barefoot.
Look into orthotics.

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

What Is Gout?

Over 3 million Americans are affected by gout each year, making it a very common condition that not many know much about. So, what is it? Gout is a painful form of arthritis, with the big toe joint usually being most affected. It can create tenderness, inflammation, and redness, making it difficult to walk and participate in our everyday activities. Gout has a lot to do with what we eat and with March being National Nutrition Month, we thought it was the perfect time to go over some quick facts.

All About Gout

As stated above, gout is a form of arthritis that normally affects the big toe joint, but it can affect other joints, too. It begins when your body has abnormally high levels of uric acid.

Our bodies naturally produce uric acid, but we get it from different foods, as well. When our bodies have excess levels of uric acid, it creates sharp crystals in our joints, tissues, and bloodstream. This can be disastrous for our joints, which is where gout comes in. With gout, you’ll likely experience severe pain, swelling, and redness in your joints.

What About Uric Acid?

When we eat foods rich in purines, our bodies are more likely to develop gout. Which foods have high levels of purines? Things like…

Red meat
Shellfish
Beer
Red wine
Brandy
Food and drinks high in fructose sugar, like soda

To prevent gout, limit your intake of purine-rich foods, exercise daily, and maintain a healthy weight.

Treating This Condition

If you have gout, you’ll likely have to take some sort of medication to combat your symptoms. Some will reduce any inflammation you have, while others prevent pain from gout attacks by lowering the amount of uric acid in your bloodstream.

February 22, 2023

Is It Time to See Your Podiatrist?

Visiting your doctor isn’t a particularly fun activity, even if the visit is necessary. These days people prefer the comfort and flexibility of at-home treatments and over-the-counter medications versus professional treatment for their affliction or injury. In some cases, seeing your doctor in person isn’t required and you can successfully recover at home. But other times, it’s best to call your podiatrist for help. Here are some of the top circumstances in which scheduling an appointment with your foot doctor is especially important.

You Have Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you likely deal with daily numbness and poor circulation in your feet from nerve damage. When this happens, it becomes harder to tell if you’ve injured yourself, due to loss of feeling. Foot and ankle ailments frequently go undetected and can lead to long-term damage. This is why it’s crucial to see your podiatrist daily when you have diabetes! Frequent visits will not only help keep your feet in check, but your foot doctor will also be able to help you with any side effects you’re experiencing. Orthotics and insoles are a popular choice for diabetics, which you can get fitted for right in our office.

You Play Sports

Athletes are no strangers to injuries. While some injuries are unavoidable, some can be avoided with special precautions and a good foot care routine. Trying to treat an injury at home can do more damage to your feet, which is why you should always call your podiatrist if you suspect you have one. If you play a sport or work out frequently, taking good care of your feet and ankles can not only help with your performance but keep you active for years to come. A podiatrist can help ensure you’re in the best foot health you can be in.

You Have a Fungal Infection

Despite its name, not only athletes catch athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections you can have. Even though there are a wide variety of at-home treatments available, foot or toenail fungus can be difficult to treat on your own. If you suspect you have a fungal infection, call your foot doctor!