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Crofton, MD 21114

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Posts for tag: cancer

By Crofton Podiatry
September 12, 2018
Category: cancer
Tags: Diabetes   cancer   wart  

The foot is probably one of the last places you might think about, especially when it comes to cancer. However, each foot is made up of many different parts, including 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and of course, skin. That means each of those parts is at risk for problems, including cancer.

Bone cancers:

  • Some tumors appear on the bones, but they can be benign. They may cause your bones to look misshapen or cause pain when a tumor pinches a nerve. Unless they cause your foot problems, benign tumors can be left alone.
  • Malignant tumors, however, are cancerous and can cause health problems. Common foot tumors include chondrosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma.

Skin cancers:

  • Squamous cell cancer: It sometimes looks like other skin conditions of the feet, such as a wart or skin infection.
  • Malignant melanoma: There are various types of melanoma, but some cancer can spread on the skin or into the body to affect other organs. You’re at higher risk of getting melanoma if you have light skin, burn easily and often, and have moles.

Other cancers:

  • Neoplastic disorders: If there is abnormal growth in the feet, there’s always a chance that it can become cancerous.

Additionally, some cancers that occur in other parts of the body can have symptoms that appear in the feet. Researchers have found that lung cancer that has metastasized can reach the heels and cause pain. That’s why it’s important to contact our podiatry office if you have concerns with your feet. Our foot doctors might even be the ones to find that you have some other foot problem caused by a primary condition like diabetes.

While foot cancers are rare, they are still possible. If you have a concern about a new growth, in or on your feet, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office by calling (410) 721-4505. We also serve the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. 

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By Crofton Podiatry
July 25, 2018
Category: Foot Care Tips
Tags: dry skin   fracture   stretch   sports   RICE method   cancer   flip-flops   jog  

Got your beach bag ready? Hope you packed a swimsuit, sunblock, sunglasses, flip flops, beach towel, and frozen water bottle for your day at the beach. Whether it be a water park, lakefront, or oceanfront day of relaxation, you should make sure to take precautions for keeping your feet safe too. Here are a few ways to do that:

Skin:

●       Hydrate – Be sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration (which can also cause dry skin for your feet!)

●       Sunblock – Be sure to wear sunblock lotion from the head to the toes to protect from UV (A and B) rays and reapply every couple of hours to reduce the risk of burning and developing skin cancer.

●       Hygiene – Wash your feet with warm water and soap at the end of the day to remove sand and any other small particles or microorganisms that may have hitched a ride.

●       Cuts and scrapes - When leaving sandy areas, rinse off the feet so that it doesn’t irritate the skin as you walk on smoother surfaces. It’s probably best to put on flip-flops or sandals to prevent problems from walking on rough or very hot surfaces. If you do incur cuts or scrapes, be sure to treat them promptly to prevent infection.

Shoes:

●       Water shoes: A great way to keep your feet safe from injury at the beach is to wear water shoes. It will reduce the risk of cuts from sharp objects in the water as well as help with the transition to the sand and then to any boardwalks or other walkways.

Sports:

●     Stretch and Warm-up – As soon as you get to the beach, start with some stretching and warm up. Walking on the beach can be unstable for your feet and ankles, and a wrong step can cause an injury. This is especially important if you are going to play sports like volleyball, throwing a Frisbee, or taking a jog.

●     Sports injury – If you sustain a mild sports injury, use the RICE method to prevent worsening symptoms. If it’s a more severe injury, like a possible fracture, get the attention of medical staff or go to a local hospital.

Do you have a foot problem from a day at the beach? We can help you feel better. At Crofton Podiatry, we will use the latest treatment options to assess and take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. We also serve the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

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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.

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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