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Crofton, MD 21114

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By Crofton Podiatry
January 23, 2019
Category: Fungal toenails

Fungal problems are more common than you think. They can affect many parts of the body, from the tops of your heads to the bottoms of your feet. For the feet, in particular, the most common issues affect the skin and the toenails. In fact, one infection (toenail fungus) can start from another (Athlete’s foot).

Where would you get this fungal infection on your feet?

Some places where you might have picked up the infection include the gym locker room, sharing a towel with someone who has a fungal infection or from the tools at the last pedicure you received. 

Fungus thrives in moist and warm environments. So moisture + a break in the skin of a warm foot = fungal infection. It passes from person to person, foot to foot, and toenail to toenail pretty easily. Once your toenails are infected, they are likely to become discolored, thick, brittle, and develop a smell.

So what can you do to prevent a stubborn fungal toenail infection?

  • Practice good hygiene. Wash every day with soap and warm water to reduce the risk of developing an infection.
  • Do not walk around barefoot in a gym locker room. Wear flip-flops or sandals, especially if you’re using a communal shower.
  • If you are prone to sweating a lot due to hyperhidrosis, bring a pair of socks to change into when your socks have soaked through.
  • You can also use antifungal or foot powder in your socks or shoes to reduce moisture in the shoes. 
  • Do not share nail grooming tools with someone who is infected (or at least be very diligent about disinfecting).
  • Cut your toenails properly. Ingrown toenails can cause breaks in the skin that make you more prone to a fungal infection.
  • Go to a reputable salon for a pedicure. Make sure that you can see how they sterilize their tools. Otherwise, schedule your pedicure for their first appointment of the day to ensure that they are starting the day with freshly cleaned tools on you.
  • If you have Athlete’s foot or other fungal infection on your hands, be sure to clean your hands often before touching your toes. Treat your Athlete’s foot condition promptly to prevent spreading.
  • You may have to stop using nail polish altogether as your toenails will have a harder time recovering from a fungal infection when it cannot breathe (due to polished nails).

These prevention measures should lower the risk of having to deal with fungal toenails. However, if you do somehow get infected, our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, can help you treat the condition with topical or oral medication or painless laser therapy! Request 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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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 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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By Crofton Podiatry
August 08, 2018
Category: Foot health
Tags: swelling   Athlete's Foot   Gout   Orthotics   Diabetes   surgery   pain   arthritis   injury   psoriasis   fungal   ingrown   cracked heels  

There are some obvious times to visit a foot doctor:

  1. Foot injury – A podiatrist can help you find the best way to take care of foot injuries, with anything from orthotics to surgery.
  2. Ankle injury – Yep! Podiatrists also take care of ankle issues.
  3. Foot and ankle pain – If you suddenly notice pain or have ongoing pain that doesn’t seem to get better with time or at-home treatment, our podiatry team will help you figure out what’s going on.podiatrist

Beyond the more obvious reasons for visiting a podiatrist, some other very important times to call our office for foot health care are:

  1. Annual foot examinations – Some foot and ankle issues can arise with subtle symptoms. Catching a problem early can allow for a simpler intervention. Additionally, since a foot doctor is a fully-licensed medical professional, they can help diagnose other problems that may present symptoms affecting the feet. In fact, some patients learn about their diabetes after coming for a foot problem checkup.
  2. Conditions or diseases like arthritis, gout, or diabetes – Speaking of diabetes, folks with certain diseases can develop side effects that affect the feet. A podiatrist can help you manage symptoms like pain or numbness.
  3. Swelling or numbness – If you have swelling or numbness that is unexplained or persists for a long time, come in to check for underlying conditions.
  4. New deformities or changes in skin – Sometimes changes in the feet go unnoticed compared to changes in other parts of the body. That’s why it’s important to check the feet often for any changes that might need treatment. Additionally, severely dry, cracked heels, as well as other conditions like Athlete’s foot or psoriasis may require podiatrist help for treatment.
  5. Ingrown or fungal toenails – Most times, moderate to severe cases of ingrown or fungal toenails requires the attention of a podiatrist. Trying to treat these toenail conditions at home may be fruitless or even more harmful (e.g. trying to pry out ingrown toenails can lead to infection).

As you can see, there are many reasons why you might want to 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 assess and take care of your foot and ankle care needs. Please contact us and visit our podiatry team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

 

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By Crofton Podiatry
January 16, 2018
Category: Footwear

What does a nurse, line cook, hairdresser, and a member of the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace all have in common? The answer: they stand for the majority (if not all) of their time at work. While standing still or simply walking around doesn’t seem too difficult, it’s more challenging than you think. It’s especially tough on the feet and ankles, as they do not get enough rest to recover throughout the day.

People who stand all day at work tend to have more issues with their legs, feet, and back, especially if they do not maintain a good posture all day (and let’s be honest, who is able to maintain proper posture the WHOLE time – with the exception of the Queen’s guard?). The surfaces are usually hard, so unless you have supportive, cushioned shoes, as well as a cushioned standing mat, your body can feel much more fatigued than the average office desk employee.

So what kind of shoes can help you if you have to stand all day? Consider the following footwear factors when buying your work shoes:

  • Cushion – Look for shoes with more cushion on the insoles than regular shoes. If you have to, add orthotic inserts to give you even more cushioning.
  • Fit – Shoes should fit well. They shouldn’t be too small, narrow, or tight as that can cause problems like hammertoes, bunions, or corns. They shouldn’t be too big either, as your feet will have to strain to stabilize you, causing overuse problems like plantar fasciitis.
  • Support – If you have flat feet or fallen arches, you’ll want to make sure you have good arch support. Otherwise, you may be standing or walking in an overpronated position all day, straining other parts of the feet like your Achilles tendon (causing Achilles tendonitis).
  • Material/Protection – Depending on your worksite, try to choose shoes that are breathable so that they do not get overheated and sweaty, which could lead to foot odor and fungal or bacterial growth. However, if you will be at risk of injury from heavy or sharp falling objects, adhere to the work site’s dress code for shoes and add orthotic inserts as needed. You may also want to change your socks mid-shift if you tend to sweat a lot (like with hyperhidrosis). 

Take breaks when you can, and try to elevate your feet if you are prone to swelling. When you get home, take a warm foot soak and get a foot massage to find relief and rejuvenate your feet for the next workday!

Do you have overuse injuries or pain from your work shoes? Consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry to get an assessment for the right treatment. Make an appointment at our office in Crofton, MD by calling (410) 721-4505. Our office also serves the surrounding areas of Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD.

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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