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Crofton, MD 21114

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Posts for: December, 2018

By Crofton Podiatry
December 26, 2018
Category: Foot health
Tags: corns   calluses   injury   orthotic   fungal   walks   hike   climbs   toes  

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Thinking about getting into shape, saving the environment, traveling more or finally breaking that bad smoking habit?

Whatever your resolution may be, there’s a good chance that your feet can help! Your feet can:

  • Help you reduce your carbon footprint by taking you to work via public transportation, walking, and/or biking!
  • Level up your ranking in the step contests you have with your friends or family.
  • Make you stronger, more stable or more flexible by supporting your new gym or workout habits.
  • Get you to new places via long walks, hikes, or climbs.
  • Take your mind off your habit by engaging in other activities, like exercise, a new hobby, time with friends or a nice relaxing massage.                                 

So how can you help your feet to help YOU?

  • Remember to take good care of your feet. Wash them daily, moisturize during dry winter months, and treat any foot issues like corns and calluses or fungal disease.
  • Keep to providing good nutrition for your feet.
  • Stretch and exercise your toes, feet, and ankles. Even if you have an injury, you can find ways to stay active to improve circulation and healing.
  • Wear supportive shoes with orthotic insoles if needed. It’s okay to part ways with your old favorite shoes – they’re not doing you any more good if they are causing you foot pain!
  • Treat your feet! Get a pedicure or foot massage (DIY or at a professional location) to relax any tension your feet may be carrying. This way they’ll feel ready for whatever task(s) they need to perform the next day!

Whether you realize it or not, as long as your feet are mostly healthy, they are always ready and willing to help you out. So why would you wait to take care of them? Start now so that you won’t have problems with them in the future.

Make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll to help you keep your feet healthy in the New Year. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.


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By Crofton Podiatry
December 18, 2018
Category: Foot Care Tips

During the holidays, you have a lot to think about – cold weather, travel arrangements for the family, gifts, and, of course, gearing up to see all of your overbearing extended family members!

But we wanted to take a moment and remind you about how you can think about your feet during this time. For most, you’ll have some amount of travel during the holidays, so here are some tips to keep your feet happy as you go home for the holidays.

Pack your shoes – Unless your travel is just up the block to your parents’ house, you might want to bring more than just your one pair of shoes. If you’ll have some walking to do in the snow, wear your best, most waterproof boots. Then, make sure you bring some flip-flops in case your hosts are not the cleanest (or wears shoes in the house while you don’t). Finally, bring comfortable walking shoes if you’ll be going out for holiday events in town.

Schedule in rest and relaxation – No matter what your holiday travel plans, your feet will be doing a lot to take you from place to place. Doing some last minute shopping? Your feet will be the ones helping you run around. Climbing up 50 steps to your relative’s 4th floor walkup? It’s only possible thanks to your feet. Gripping the snow-covered ground to the mountain cabin your family rented? That’s hard work provided by your strong and healthy feet.

So why not give them some well-deserved rest with your feet up? Take turns with family members to give and receive foot massages. Yay for new holiday traditions!

Take cautions – There are a few issues that can put your feet at risk for foot problems:

  • Germs: Yep, when you’re on holiday, your feet are more at risk for encountering germs from new places and other people. It’s easy to catch a foot fungus infection (i.e. Athlete’s foot) when sharing slippers or towels with relatives who already have it.
  • Fireplace: While it is nice and cozy to share the fire with family, be careful not to get burned, especially if you have lost sensation due to diabetic neuropathy.
  • Black ice: As you travel during the cold winter months, be careful of slipping on nearly invisible black ice. Walk in well-lit places and use treaded shoes when walking outside at night after rain or snow, or you could end up with an ankle sprain!
  • Frostbite: During cold weather days and nights, be sure to wear socks with shoes to prevent unnecessary frost to your feet. Change out of wet socks and shoes as soon as possible!

Have concerns about your feet as you travel? Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our podiatry team is ready to assist you with your foot and ankle issues at our office in Crofton, MD, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie.


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By Crofton Podiatry
December 12, 2018
Category: Foot safety
Tags: stretch   frostbite  

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The cold weather of winter sure makes us hope for snow!

However, we shouldn’t forget that where there is snow, there is a risk of injury. The roads and walkways can become more slippery and hazardous! We’ve got shoveling responsibilities ahead!

So let’s talk about how to keep our feet safe while we shovel so that we can enjoy the snow afterward! Here are some safety shoveling tips:

  • Bundle up the feet – Have you ever gotten snow in your shoes when you weren’t wearing socks? That ice-cold feeling can last for days! In severe cases, it can even lead to frostbite. So make sure you wear warm socks with waterproof, non-slip shoes. You wouldn’t want to slip on any ice that might be hiding under the snow. Boots made of thick material that cover the ankle (or higher) will be helpful in keeping the snow out and protecting your foot from injuries.
  • Warm up – You might think of shoveling as a chore, but it’s also very much a workout. Your entire body is involved in pushing the snow out of the way. That’s why so many people throw out their backs while shoveling! To help prevent back pain, be sure to warm up and stretch all parts of your body, not just your arms and legs. Your feet need to grip and stabilize your legs, so give them a good, specific warm-up too!
  • Use the right shovel – There are many different shapes and sizes of shovels to get the job done. Mainly you want to think about if you’ll be pushing the snow or if you’ll be scooping the snow. A light layer of snow would be an instance where you use a snow pushing shovel while moving a hefty covering of snow would require you to push and then scoop up mounds of snow to the side.
  • Use the right technique – Whichever shovel you use, it’s important to use the proper technique and posture so that you don’t hurt your body. Bend at the knees and use your legs for power, rather than your back. Make sure your feet are pointed in the direction you are pushing or scooping the snow so that you don’t slip or twist your ankle.

If you do experience a foot or ankle injury while shoveling, come to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will help you find the right treatment for your injury. Make an appointment by calling us at Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505. Our office is located in Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie.


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By Crofton Podiatry
December 05, 2018
Category: Foot Odor

The discomfort of wet feet from hyperhidrosis may be enough for you to want to seek professional treatment from our podiatrist. Even for those of you whose hyperhidrosis isn’t always so severe, you may still experience some complications. These secondary effects often need podiatric treatment, so we encourage you to take precautions to prevent these problems if you tend to sweat a lot.

  • Blistering – If you have lived with hyperhidrosis, you know that this is common anytime you run. Blisters form on the toes as your feet slide to the front of your shoes as you dash forward. Try wrapping your toes in gauze or bandages to add padding to your toes before putting socks on. You may have to take a break and rewrap them if you tend to blister or bleed a lot during your running or sporting event (e.g. soccer).
  • Fungal growth – fungi love warm, moist places. Your shoes mimic this environment that allows fungi to thrive and make you prone to fungal infections like athlete’s foot or fungal toenails. Allow your shoes to fully dry before you wear them again. Never re-wear socks. Always wash your feet at the end of each day.
  • Foot odor – The fungus can also cause you to have an embarrassing odor on your feet, your socks, and in your shoes. Be sure to keep good hygiene and treat fungal infections to prevent ongoing odor problems.
  • Foot strain from instability in the shoes – You can develop overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis if your feet have to work hard to stabilize within your shoes. Supportive shoes with arch pads and heel cups can help your feet stabilize. Change your socks midday if they tend to get drenched as you go about your day.

Not only can our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, help you with the complications of hyperhidrosis, but he can also help you treat your hyperhidrosis. Say goodbye to embarrassing and frustrating sweaty feet! Make an appointment by calling Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.


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2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 25
Crofton, MD 21114

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