When Athlete's Foot is Not Helped by OTC Creams
Anyone who has had athlete's foot knows the symptoms are hard to ignore -- unsightly rash and horrible itch. When seeking relief, most people start with a store bought anti-fungal cream which will often successfully alleviate their symptoms. Occasionally, these OTC medications for athlete's foot don't relieve symptoms, and this can occur for a few reasons. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can cause a rash that has similar features as eczema or other types of dermatitis, none of which respond to anti-fungal medications. Another possible reason why a foot rash didn't clear with OTC anti-fungal medicines is that the rash may be caused by a bacteria or fungus that requires a prescription-strength medication. Since many causes of foot rash do have similar features, a lab test such as a KOH test, may be necessary to determine if a fungus is to blame.
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Heel Pain Rises in the Spring and Summer
According to Google Trends, U.S. internet searches for heel pain increase in the spring and summer months. The spring and summer months can bring an increase in heel pain for a few possible reasons. Number one, this is the time of year when sports and athletic activity are in full swing. Sports that can trigger heel pain most frequently include, soccer, baseball, and running.
Another factor that may be at play in summer heel pain is the tendency to go barefoot -- or to wear flimsy shoes such as flip-flops. This increases pressure on the heel and can put increased strain on foot ligaments. Styles of sandals and flip flops that offer some support under the foot's arch are a better alternative, especially if you have suffered from heel pain before. Check out the following sandal brands, which have features offering better foot support: FitFlop, Orthaheel, and Spenco PolySorb. These and other similar brands come in women's and men's styles.
Since heel pain can have a number of causes and can be a stubborn condition, it is best to see a podiatrist when the pain strikes.
For more information on heel pain:
- Heel Pain - An Overview of Causes and Treatments
- Heel Pain in Children and Adolescents
- Products for Heel Pain
What is a Bunionette?
A bunionette, also known as a Tailor's bunion, is a bump on the side of the foot near the pinkie (5th) toe. The name bunionette may sound more like a term for something that's cute as a button, but any bunion sufferer knows it's anything but fun. A Tailor's bunion may not be as common as a bunion on the big toe side but the symptoms are similar--pain, irritation from shoe pressure, and inflammation.
To learn more about what causes a Tailor's bunion and treatment options: Tailor's Bunion
Also recommended: 5 Tips for Soothing Bunion Pain
Another Pedicure Safety Concern
Recently, the California EPA randomly tested 25 nail polish brands for toxic chemicals and what they found was surprising. Almost all of the brands in the sampling--which claimed to be free of three infamous toxins--tested positive for one or more of the three toxins, with some having dangerously high levels. The three toxins, referred to as the "Toxic Trio", are formaldehyde, DBP (dibuyl phthalate), and toluene. These ingredients have been voluntarily phased-out of certain brands of nail products due to rising concern over their potential health effects, especially for salon technicians, pregnant women, and children. Possible health threats include an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, asthma, and damage to the nervous system. The good news is that one of the more popular and widely used brands of nail polish, OPI, tested negative for the Toxic Trio. Photo (c) Getty Images.
- For more information on pedicure safety: Tips for a Safe Salon Pedicure
- Also recommended: Nail Polish Safety
Baby's First Shoes
If you're the parent of a baby who has started taking those exciting first steps or a toddler who is mastering the art of running, you may have the same question many parents do: What are the best types of shoes for my baby at this stage? Now that sunnier days are here and my own toddler is eager to explore the outdoors, I have recently embarked on baby shoe shopping, myself.
Here are some of the current recommendations on the best types of footwear for babies and toddlers:
- When indoors, bare feet, slipper socks with a non-skid sole, or flexible thin-soled shoes are fine -- provided the floors are free of any hazards that can injure little feet. One brand of socks and toddler shoes that come with rubbery soles to prevent slipping is Skidders.
- Shoes with thick, inflexible soles or ones that have built-in arches or added heel height are unnecessary at this stage. In fact, some thick-soled styles for babies may make walking more difficult and increase the chance of tripping and unsteadiness. Click here for an example of a baby shoe with a heel that is too high for a beginning walker.
- Whether for indoor or outdoor wear, choose a baby or toddler shoe that can be flexed at the toes and has little (if any) heel elevation: click here to see an example.
- Remember to measure your baby's feet often -- sometimes growth spurts can have us shopping for shoes every few weeks. If you shop for shoes online, keep up with your baby's changing shoe size by purchasing a foot measuring device for home, such as a Ritz Stick.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toenails
Toenail fungal infections can cause discoloration and thickening of the nail that is very difficult to treat. This is because the fungus that causes the infection lives within the nail and on the skin beneath it, making it difficult to reach with topical medications. Occasionally we hear from people who have had success at treating their toenail symptoms with products such as Vic's VapoRub® and other over-the-counter products. If you have tried any products for toenail fungus, please leave a comment and let everyone know how it worked.
Other conditions that can cause unsightly thickening, discoloration, or abnormal nail shape include trauma, advancing age, and medical conditions such as diabetes. To read more about some of the most common toenail concerns:
Photo (c) Getty Images
New Foot Health Articles
New Podiatry articles for 2012 include, Common Causes of Foot and Ankle Swelling and Heel Pain in Children and Adolescents. If you are looking to find more information about specific foot or ankle problems, here are a few articles I recommend:
Enzyme Linked to Tendon Weakening
Adult-acquired flat foot is a painful and progressively worsening condition that causes foot pain and dysfunction in sufferers and can make standing and walking unbearable. Adult-acquired flat foot is caused by a breakdown and weakening of the posterior tibial tendon, an important tendon for stabilizing the foot's arch. As a result, the foot's arch gradually collapses, causing a flat foot that splays outward when walking -- over time causing pain due to pinched nerves and wear and tear on joints.
A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that the posterior tibial tendons of those with adult-acquired flatfoot had an increased amount of proteolytic enzyme activity. This type of enzyme breaks down protein - part of the tendon's collagen structure - and is one possible biochemical factor at play in chronic tendon weakening. Authors of the study noted there is a similar increase in proteolytic enzyme activity in other painful tendon conditions, such as Achilles tendonitis and suggested that this finding may help with the formulation of new drug therapies in the future.
Source: Science Daily - Advance Toward Treatment for Painful Flat Feet
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Bad Shoes Can Make Gout Pain Worse
A study published in Arthritis Care and Research found that patients with chronic gout who wore shoes with excessive wear patterns (on the soles of the shoe, for example) or shoes with inadequate cushioning or support were at higher risk for increased pain and disability from the disease. Gout is a form of arthritis that most commonly affects the big toe joint and is associated with painful episodic flare-ups. The researchers who conducted the study suggested that a patient's footwear should be considered in the treatment plan for gout.
Related:
Gout - A Painful Foot Condition
Do I Have a Bunion?
If you have pain in the joint of your big toe and have noticed a bump slowly developing on the side of the joint, a bunion may be to blame. Other common signs of a bunion include a big toe that has shifted toward the second toe and a widening of the forefoot as the bunion progresses. A bunion is a common foot problem which is most often caused by an anatomical or functional foot abnormality. They may also occur with rheumatoid arthritis, although this is a lesser common cause.
A bunion frequently causes pain, which stems from inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the big toe joint. It can progress to arthritic changes in the joint which also contributes to the pain. The only way to eliminate a bunion is via surgery, which re-aligns foot bones and eliminates the actual bump. There are bunion products that can be helpful for some people in reducing the pain -- depending on the degree of the symptoms and condition of the big toe joint. To see examples of these products, I recommend: 5 Products for Bunions. Since other problems such as infection or gout can cause toe pain, always have foot pain evaluated by a podiatrist or other medical professional first.
Photo © Getty Images
Related:
What's Wrong with My Toes? 4 Common Conditions that Affect Toes
Bunions are a Common Problem, Especially for Women
Tailor's Bunion - Bump on the Pinkie Toe Side of the Foot