(410) 721-4505



2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

My Blog

Archive:

Tags

My Blog

Posts for: May, 2018

By Crofton Podiatry
May 30, 2018
Category: Foot health
Tags: Diabetes   Ulcers   cancer  

You have probably heard all about the negative effects that smoking has on your body. It has been known to cause health problems (and even cancer) for almost every organ in your body. But in case you need another reason to quit smoking, your feet and ankles can be negatively affected too.

The most obvious way that cigarettes affect the body is that the nicotine constricts the size of the arteries, making it more likely for them to get clogged. Additionally, when smoking, you inhale carbon monoxide while breathing, reducing the amount of oxygen you are able to intake. The carbon monoxide then attaches to hemoglobin in our blood, which prevents essential oxygen from being delivered to the rest of our body, including the feet.

What symptoms are felt in the feet when you smoke?

  • numbness
  • tingling
  • cold
  • soreness or pain
  • wounds/ulcers that heal slowly
  • pale skin
  • slow hair and nail growth

Smoking can increase the chances of certain conditions that negatively affect the feet. Mainly, smoking is more likely to cause Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Plaque can build up in the smaller arteries, making it harder for blood and fluids to circulate. This prevents essential nutrients from being delivered to the rest of the body, especially the feet and lower legs.

Those who have diabetes and who are smokers are an even higher risk of losing sensation in the feet. On top of reduced circulation, high blood sugar levels damage the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy), making it hard for the feet to communicate with the rest of the body.

When you think about the negative effects of smoking, you may not even remember to think about the feet, but they are certainly affected. It can result in many negative foot health complications, which we can help you with.

To get an assessment of your feet and ankles, make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Crofton Podiatry
May 23, 2018
Category: Foot Pain
Tags: Diabetes   shoes   stretch   orthotic inserts  

When a foot cramp strikes, it can certainly cause a lot of pain. The pain can come about suddenly and last for a while, depending on how you treat it when it happens.

Why it happens is another story. The specific cause of foot cramps is not known, but there seem to be some factors that trigger the cramping:

  • Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance - The muscles in your body need water to function and rehabilitate properly. Specific minerals and salts are required to send the correct nerve impulses that control your muscles.
  • Overworking your foot muscles - Standing, walking, and/or working your feet for long periods of time can cause muscle fatigue and sudden cramping.
  • Shoes that are not supportive - When your shoes are not supportive, it can cause your feet to overly strain. This can overwork the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. 
  • Poor circulation - Those with diseases that cause poor circulation, like diabetes, can lead to cramps because necessary nutrients are not getting to the foot muscles.

So what do you do when your foot cramps?

  • While it seems counterintuitive, stand and put weight on your cramping foot to stretch it.
  • If you are sitting, flex your foot and pull your toes toward you to stretch out the muscles and tendons along the bottom of the feet. If you can’t reach your toes, use a towel or strap to keep your feet flexed until the cramping goes away.
  • Gently massage the foot while it is flexed to help the cramp to relax.
  • If the pain is severe initially, you can apply ice to find relief. However, if the cramp continues, use heat to relax the cramping feet.

The best defense against foot cramps is prevention! Try some or all of the following to reduce your chances of experiencing painful foot cramps:

  • Stay hydrated and eat plenty of nutritious foods. If you seem to experience cramps after overexertion from working out, try drinks with electrolytes to help.
  • Remember to stretch before and after workouts or long walks.
  • Treat any diseases or conditions that might be causing the cramping as a side effect. Some medications can also cause cramping as a side effect, so it’s best to speak to your physician if you think this is the case.
  • Wear shoes that are supportive, especially if you stand or walk a lot during the day.

If you need orthotic inserts or custom orthoses to help you prevent foot strain, we can help you. To get an assessment for your chronic foot cramps, make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Crofton Podiatry
May 21, 2018
Category: Arthritis
Tags: Gout   Orthotics   arthritis  

If you’ve got arthritis, everyday activities that used to be simple have probably become more difficult. You may have to adjust how you do things with your hands, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The joint inflammation can affect how long you can stand, walk, and work because of pain, stiffness, and/or swelling.

Don’t let arthritis keep you down! Keep living your best life by incorporating some of the following changes.

At Home:

  • Mats – Use foam mats wherever you tend to stand for long periods of time, such as in front of kitchen and bathroom sinks, as well as in front of the stove.
  • Rugs or Carpet – Invest in thick rugs or install carpeting in your home to reduce the impact on your feet, ankles, and knees.
  • Indoor Shoes – You may want to buy highly-cushioned shoes to wear indoors, especially if you have hardwood or tile shoes.

At Work:

  • Take breaks often and move your feet and ankles. Sitting or standing for a long time can cause them to become stiff and swollen.
  • Also, it’s best to stay hydrated to help reduce inflammation and increase circulation.

During Leisure Activities:

  • Schedule in breaks whenever you engage in fun activities. From hikes to swimming, and exploring a new city, take a rest so that your foot and ankle joints do not become inflamed (like with gout). If your feet become too swollen or inflamed, you may not be able to participate in any other activities the rest of the day.

For Your Body:

  • You may have to adjust the types of activities that you can perform, but that doesn’t mean you should just stay home and do nothing. Find other fun activities that your body can handle.
  • Continue to exercise and eat nutritiously. Your physical therapist or occupational therapist can help you find exercises to help you stay mobile and prevent joint stiffness. Watch your weight and eat plenty of anti-inflammatory foods.
  • Wear comfortable, cushioned shoes since outside irritation can make your joint inflammation worse. If your feet have become deformed from arthritis, custom orthotics may be necessary.

Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Crofton Podiatry
May 09, 2018
Category: Seniors Foot Care

As older loved ones continue to age, there are more and more things to worry about. From regular and more frequent doctor visits to keeping track of daily medications, seniors need a lot of support to continue to lead healthy lives.

Body parts also change and behave differently, including our skin, bones, joints, and muscles – and yes, even those parts of the feet. And that means that senior feet might need more attention, such as different footwear and some lifestyle changes.

Foot Wear

  • A good, comfortable, supportive pair of shoes could mean less foot and joint pain.
  • Shoes should match the environment in which they are used to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Use footwear with smooth outer soles on carpeted surfaces and use footwear with anti-slip grip outer soles on smooth, slippery surfaces.
  • Compression socks can help those who have problems with reduced circulation in the feet, from diabetes or other circulatory issues.

Foot Care

  • Inspect the feet daily. Foot problems can become harder to spot as senses begin to dull. Get into the habit of helping seniors check their feet for any changes in the skin, toenails, or foot structure (e.g. bunions, hammertoes).
  • Use softly padded mats around the house, wherever seniors stand for a long time, such as in front of the bathroom and kitchen sinks.
  • Install safety bars in bathrooms to prevent falls or trips getting in and out of the tub, or off the toilet.
  • Foot massagers or foot soak machines can help increase circulations in the feet and give relief for painful symptoms from overuse, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
  • Continue to exercise and eat a nutritious diet to prevent problems and maintain foot health. Incorporate foods that are good for bones and soft tissues, like dairy (calcium), salmon (omega-3 fatty acids), and plenty of fruits and vegetables (vitamins and enzymes).

Senior feet need special care. Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot care needs. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Crofton Podiatry
May 02, 2018
Category: Foot Fungus

Nope, no spoilers here about the new Avengers movie, but we do want to talk to you about your constant and seemingly never-ending war with foot fungus. The extremely dry, flaky skin sometimes goes away with lots of moisturizing and antifungal creams, but then rears its ugly head again just as you let your guard down.

Will it ever end?

Yes, we can help you find a way to put an end to your unceasing war! Depending on how extreme your foot fungus is, and where your fungal infection is affecting your feet, we’ve got the treatment for you!

But first, some background: Did you know that the same type of fungus causes both fungal toenails (onychomycosis or tinea unguium) and athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)? So if you’ve got symptoms of athlete’s foot – red, itchy rash between the toes or scaly, dry skin on the bottom of your feet – as well as ugly, discolored fungal toenails, there’s a good chance that it’s all caused by one original fungal infection. You could have gotten it from sharing shoes, walking barefoot at the gym, or sharing a foot towel with someone who has the infection. 

How is it treated?

If you take measures to prevent fungal infection from returning, there’s a good chance that you can be done with foot fungus after you’re treated at our office. Depending on the severity of the fungal infection, our podiatrist may suggest treating it with:

  • Prescription topical antifungal creams
  • Prescription oral antifungal medication
  • In office laser therapy

After successful treatment, be sure to prevent recurring infection by:

  • Washing and drying your feet every day
  • Wearing flip-flops in communal shower areas
  • Rotating the shoes you wear each day and wear a fresh pair of socks
  • Not sharing towels, socks, or shoes with anyone who might have a fungal infection.

Are you ready to end the war against foot fungus? Make an appointment with our foot doctor Dr. Brad Toll at our Crofton, MD office. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to take care of your foot care needs. With the help of our podiatry team, you can beat the fungal war on your feet! Come visit us at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.


0 Comment(s) Permalink


Contact Us


Call Today (410) 721-4505

2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

Podiatrist - Crofton, Crofton Podiatry, 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25, Crofton MD, 21114 (410) 721-4505