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Crofton, MD 21114

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By Brad Toll, DPM
October 04, 2019
Category: Athlete's Foot
Tags: podiatrist   Athlete's Foot   sports   rash   infection  

Sports are often a big part of our lives whether we watch or participate. This is especially true in the Fall as many children go back to school and play football, basketball, Lacrosse and field hockey among others. With sports also comes the possibility for injury or ailment. One of the major conditions an athlete can suffer from is called Athlete’s foot otherwise known as tinea pedis. What is Athlete’s foot? Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection (trichophyton) that usually occurs between the toes and thrives in moist conditions.

Causes of Athlete’s foot include:

  • Sweaty feet
  • Sharing towels, shoes and socks
  • Walking barefoot in public places

Symptoms of Athlete’s foot include:

  • Scaly red rash in and around the toes
  • Peeling skin usually between toes but can spread to other areas of the foot
  • Blisters or ulcers near toes
  • Itchiness with dry and flaky skin

If not treated, Athlete’s foot can spread to the groin or hands. While most cases of Athlete’s foot can be treated with over the counter medicines, some have to be diagnosed and treated by your podiatrist. If needed, your podiatrist will treat Athlete’s foot by prescribing:

  • Oral anti-fungal attacks fungus
  • Oral antibiotics to treat infections
  • Topical steroids to treat painful inflammation
  • Topical anti-fungal meds include miconazole, terbinafine

The best treatment for Athlete’s foot is prevention. Suggestions include:

  • Wearing dry footwear and socks
  • Wear sandals or flip-flops in public places like showers, pools or locker rooms
  • Make sure you dry your feet completely after a shower or bath
  • Treat your feet with anti-fungal powder or skin cream
  • Alternate shoes
  • Air your feet
  • Don’t share socks, footwear or towels

If you believe you have Athlete’s foot, or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. 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
September 11, 2019
Category: Orthotics

While many of us can use our shoes and other footwear without support, some need a little extra.  Usually, this calls for something called an orthotic. Known generically as a shoe insert, an orthotic is more specialized and treats specific conditions that an ordinary store-bought item will not.

Conditions orthotics treat include:

  • High arches – supports foot arch to keep from overstretching and/or collapsing
  • Flat feet – strengthens the area, supports the foot, and helps with gait
  • Diabetes – can reduce foot stress to avoid foot ulcers, blisters
  • Plantar fasciitis – support area of the heel usually with cushioning
  • Bursitis – sensitive area of the foot can also be treated with cushioning
  • Arthritis – Usually a flexible orthotic will work best as it has more cushioning
  • Corrects balance and walking issues – help with proper foot placement and gait
  • Bunions – allows for a wider toe area relieving bunion irritation

Other conditions orthotics can treat include hammertoes, heel spurs, injuries to the foot and back pain.

There are two basic types of orthotics. They are:

  • Flexible – Made of a softer material to offer cushioning
  • Rigid – Made of a more solid and stronger material such as carbon fiber or plastic. Offers more support

Depending on the type of condition you are suffering from, an orthotic may only be part of the treatment. The best way to determine what works best is to see your podiatrist. They are professionally trained to diagnose and recognize issues that may or may not require an orthotic.

Your first step to treat many of the conditions above may be to use a store-bought shoe insert but if this doesn’t work, a custom made orthotic may be needed. One issue many people ignore is making sure they have properly fitting shoes before moving to an orthotic. Make sure your footwear fits first. Proper fitting footwear is always important for good foot health.

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August 12, 2019
Category: Foot Care
Tags: foot doctor   Foot Pain   foot care   treatments  

Among the usual treatment podiatrists employ, Crofton Podiatry also offers the following which you may not know about. They are Cryotherapy, Iontophoresis, Neurolysis, and Extracorporeal Shockwave.

Each has their specific uses and applications, but all, if used as designed, can help alleviate many of the problems podiatric patients suffer from. They are:

  • Cryotherapy – it’s the use of cold to freeze off warts. Some treatments call for immersion in a cold cryotherapy bath while others only apply the freezing temperatures to the face or other affected areas. We use a cotton swab to apply liquid nitrogen to the affected area.
  • Iontophoresis - it is used to treat excessive sweating and employs a machine which passes a mild electrical current through a pan of water in which your feet are submerged. This can also be used for other parts of the body. There are no known long-term side effects and has been found to be very effective.
  • Neurolysis is used to treat neuromas or pinched nerves. Neurolysis requires the application of a chemical to eliminate the affected nerve. Several treatments are recommended.
  • Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy uses shockwaves to treat inflamed areas usually in the heel. This treatment is used for the more serious conditions of Plantar Fasciitis which may have not responded to more conservative treatments. Sound waves are applied outside the skin and act to heel the aggravated material within the foot.

While we strive to provide the most effective treatments for foot concerns, doing so requires keeping up on the latest procedures. Each of the above treatments are designed to be applied to specific foot issues and only a trained podiatrist can determine what treatment is best for you. Please know we are dedicated to providing only the best service to our patients.

If you believe you have any of the above maladies or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments. 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
July 10, 2019
Category: Arthritis
Tags: Gout   obesity   uric acid   high blood pressure  

One of the more painful conditions a person can have is a condition called Gout. Gout is the buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid contains knife-like crystals that embed themselves in the soft parts of your joints. Often found in your toes or ankles, gout can also occur in your hands and wrists. The pain can be described as having a throbbing broken bone. Gout makes joints so sensitive that the weight of a bedsheet can cause extreme and excruciating pain.

One of the main causes of gout is the consumption of food rich in uric acid, otherwise known as purine rich foods.

These include:

  • Shellfish – shrimp, lobster, crab
  • Red, uncooked meat
  • Sardines, Anchovies, Mackerel
  • Liver, Kidney – organ meats
  • Beer
  • Nutritional and brewer’s yeast
  • Sweetbread
  • Venison
  • Veal
  • High fructose foods

Risk factors for gout include:

  • Poor diet – consumption of the high purine foods above
  • Obesity – can contribute to the development of gout
  • High blood pressure – meds taken to great HBP can cause gout
  • Certain diuretics – can happen with anti-rejection drugs
  • Genetics – runs in the family
  • Age – men develop gout usually between 30 and 50. Women after menopause
  • Sex – men usually have higher uric acid levels

The best treatment for gout is a healthy diet. Foods such as fruits, complex carbs, vegetables, or a low fat protein which can include lentils. Avoid naturally sweetened fruit juices. Drinking water is also important as it helps flush out the uric acid. Treatments for gout besides a better diet include:

  • Ibuprophen – treats pain and swelling – can damage kidneys if taken excessively
  • Colchicine – good for acute attacks
  • Allopurinol – also known as an oxidase inhibitor - helps reduce uric acid output
  • Medications that help remove uric acid levels – known as a uricosuric

If you believe you have gout or have any other concerns with your feet, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and find the proper treatments. Call Crofton Podiatry at (410) 721-4505, which provides services to Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas. You can also visit our website at www.croftonpodiatry.com.

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June 11, 2019
Category: socks

Do your feet ever seem sweaty or dry? Or do you ever have the urge to go sockless when it comes to wearing your shoes? It may seem that doing so would air out our feet, but this is not the best thing to do.

There are several reasons to wear socks whether it’s for business, casual use or athletic competition and they include:

  • Cushioning – Socks add another layer to our feet when we walk
  • Moisture absorption – keeps our feet dry
  • Prevents the accumulation of bacteria- helps prevents the creation of fungus and athlete’s foot
  • Warmth – helps circulation during cold months
  • Prevents blisters, corns and calluses – prevents undue rubbing and therefore irritation against your skin
  • Can aid in sleeping – may help regulate body temperature and signal the brain it’s time to sleep
  • Prevents Raynaud’s disease – Helps regulate blood flow in your foot

Not all socks are the same though. Many are designed to fit the foot with careful attention to structure and support.  Socks often cushion the ball of the foot and the heel where much of a person’s weight is applied. Here too, extra stitching may be found to add strength to the sock.

What material is used is also important as not all provide the same benefits. Common fabrics used in socks include:

  • Merino wool – a natural product good for providing warmth and allowing for breathability
  • Cotton – most likely the least expensive, but your feet will sweat in them
  • Polyester – breathable, light and strong and good for all around use
  • Olefin – a strong and durable synthetic fabric which is excellent for repelling water
  • DryMax – another excellent synthetic fabric that has an anti-microbial treatment that helps prevent the accumulation of odor 
  • Coolmax – a strong synthetic fabric that keeps warmth and is excellent for athletics

Of course, size is also important whether you have a small or extra-large foot. Make sure your sock fits your feet. Too small and too large a sock, are both very uncomfortable and a waste of money and time. Regarding sock height, choose one that feels the most comfortable and fits your style.

If you have any questions about choosing the proper footwear or have any other questions about your feet call our office and make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll. He will assess your feet and make the appropriate suggestions or find the appropriate treatments. Call 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