Items filtered by date: August 2023

Our feet do so much for us, yet they’re often overlooked in our daily self-care. A lot of physical stress is put on our feet every day. That’s why this month, we want to encourage our patients to give their feet some extra TLC! August 17th was National “I Love My Feet” Day, and if you didn’t celebrate, we encourage you to follow our simple guide for easy foot care habits to say thank you to your feet!

DO: Give Yourself Daily Foot Massages

A nice, relaxing foot massage is the best gift for the end of a long day. Not only can it aid in making you feel at ease before bedtime, but it can significantly help relieve any foot pain you may have. Grab your scented lotion and begin massaging your feet, focusing on sore spots. Look into some reflexology tips and tricks to get even more benefits. If you have any cuts or conditions like Athlete’s foot, talk to your podiatrist before massaging your feet.

Don’t: Try DIY Treatments for Your Condition

Attempting to treat fungal infections or pick at blisters at home is more trouble than it’s worth. Not only can certain over-the-counter medications be harmful to you, but you could end up worsening your condition or creating more problems. Instead, save yourself the trouble and call your foot doctor.

DO: Elevate Your Feet to Prevent Swelling

This trick you can use even if you aren’t dealing with a foot condition that causes swelling! As we move throughout the day, our feet and toes naturally swell. The best way to improve blood flow and reduce pressure in our feet is to elevate our legs. At the end of the day, lay down somewhere comfy, place pillows underneath your legs and feet, and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.

Don’t: Share Your Nail Tools with Others

One of the easiest ways to get a fungal infection? Sharing our nail tools with others! Keep your nail clippers and files to yourself, and never share. At your nail salon, ensure that they follow proper procedures for sanitizing their nail tools.

Here at Alta Ridge Foot Specialists, we care deeply about our patients. Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode, Dr. Thomas Verla, and the rest of our staff at our Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC, offices are here to help you with any of your foot concerns. To make an appointment, contact us at one of our three locations today.

Toenail fungus can range from mild to severe depending on how long the condition has been going on and what you’ve been doing to treat it. Often, you can successfully get rid of toenail fungus with over-the-counter remedies, but it’s highly recommended to call your podiatrist for treatment, regardless. It’s common for toenail fungus to come back with a vengeance. How can you tell if you have toenail fungus or something else?

Early Signs and Symptoms

• White lines or spots appear on the toenail.
• Your toenails may become slightly thicker and more brittle.
• The tops of your toenails can become softer and have a powdery feeling.

A mild toenail fungus can often be treated by liberally applying tea tree oil, a natural fungicide. If the fungal toenail infection progresses, the symptoms will worsen, and you’ll need more aggressive treatment.

Advanced Signs and Symptoms

• More severe discoloration of brown, gray, and yellow.
• The toenail lifts away from the nail bed.
• Pronounced ridges are evident on the toenail surface.
• Extreme thickening of the nail will occur.
• The skin around the nail will become more scaly and powdery.
• The fungi emit a terrible odor.
• You experience pain in your toenails from wearing shoes, walking, or standing.

People with systemic illnesses such as diabetes, a compromised immune system, nerve damage, and poor blood circulation have an increased risk of developing fungal toenail infections.

Think you have toenail fungus? Give us a call ASAP! We offer laser treatment for fungal infections.

Here at Alta Ridge Foot Specialists, we care deeply about our patients. Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode, Dr. Thomas Verla, and the rest of our staff at our Mars Hill, Spruce Pine, and Boone, NC, offices are here to help you with any of your foot concerns. Contact us at one of our three locations today to make an appointment.