4 Scary Sounding Foot Disorders
At NY Foot Health, one of our primary goals is educating patients about podiatric conditions and how to treat them. Since Halloween is coming up we thought we’d talk about 4 podiatric disorders that sound pretty scary but are all very treatable!
Onychomycosis—is also known as a fungal toenail. If you have one, your toenail may look like it’s auditioning for a part in a horror movie. Signs include a whitish or yellowish discoloration, thickening of the nail and crumbling around the edges. Fungi love dark, moist places so one way to help prevent fungal toenails is to keep feet dry. Change your socks whenever you notice your feet are damp and use an anti-fungal powder daily. Rotate your shoes, too.
Edema—this means swelling and it can happen in your feet and ankles. Edema occurs more frequently if you are pregnant or have a circulation problem. Although it sounds counter-intuitive, drinking lots of water can actually help flush excess fluids from your body. Putting your feet up can also help reduce edema.
Tinea pedia—you most likely know this skin condition as athlete’s foot. Like onychomycosis, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection. It is spread by direct contact and therefore keeping your feet covered, especially in public places where others go barefoot, and avoiding sharing items that touch someone else’s feet can go a long way in helping you avoid it.
Calcaneal Apophysitis—this disorder is also known as Sever’s Disease, although it’s not truly a disease. This podiatric problem affects children ages 8-15 and it occurs in the growth plate of the heel. Because new bone growth is still occurring, there is a vulnerable spot at the back of the heel that can become inflamed with overuse, causing quite a bit of pain. Young athlete’s who participate in “pounding” sports such as basketball and soccer and those who wear cleats have a higher risk.
Many foot conditions are not so scary once you find out what they are. The trick is not to delay seeking treatment. If you need to find a podiatrist, check our online directory. To learn more about these and other foot disorders, contact us and consider subscribing to our free e-newsletter.