Fungal nail infections are a pretty common type of nail disease.  It is a condition that can damage the nail and cause embarrassment and pain for those afflicted.  Onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail) is what results when a fungus gets into the keratin that makes up the nail.   Fungal nail infections are more common in adults and can be spread from one person to another either directly or indirectly.  

Some of the telltale signs of a fungal nail infection include discoloration, lifting at the edge of the nail, nail thickening or nail crumbling.  If you suspect that that you have a fungal nail infection you should seek out the care of a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can determine the cause of your toenail fungus and provide you with the appropriate treatment options.

Toenail fungus is a problem which affects many people and is hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating toenail fungus.

Antibiotics & Treatments 

Lamisil – is the most commonly effective treatment for toenail fungus. It is available as an antibiotic Terbinafine tablet and cream. Terbinafine is a chemical component which kills fungal growth on the body.  Applying regular doses will gradually kill the fungal growth. It is important to keep the area clean and air free.  

Talcum powder – applying powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well

Alternative Treatments

Those who are skeptical or unsure of using Lamisil containing terbinafine may consider the following: Alcohol, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, or Vicks VapoRub will help as well.

Soaking your feet into a gentle bleach solution could help as well. Podiatrists usually suggest vinegar and Listerine as a soaking solution.

To learn more about toenail fungal treatments follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Seventeen year old Alyssa Gialamas competed in the 2012 London Paralympics swimming events. Gialamas was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition affecting the joints and muscles. Out of the pool Gialamas relies on her leg-foot-ankle orthotics to stabilize her joints and support her muscles. Gialamas competed with 34 other elite U.S. swimmers at the games.

Gialamas shows that foot and ankle orthotics can allow anyone to regain full mobility. Her condition did not force her to sideline herself for the games, and now she proves that foot conditions and foot injuries are something that can be overcome. If you have a need for ankle-foot orthotics, it is highly recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist, like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay.  Dr. Stein can work with you on treatment options for your foot conditions that might require the use of ankle-foot orthotics.

What are Ankle Foot Orthotics?

Orthotics are physical aids used to support weak limbs or direct the proper function of limbs. Often they are used to support the ankle and foot. Such orthotics are known as AFOs. AFOs help strengthen the muscles or train them to function in the proper position. AFOs can also benefit muscles that need to be lengthened or loosened.

Why might you need orthotics?

Orthotics are often prescribed when someone is suffering from diseases that affect the musculature, like polio and multiple sclerosis. However, more common conditions like arthritis and stroke, or those that “toe in”, may also require orthotics.

Modern orthotics have improved dramatically from the metal braces of previous years. Many of today’s orthotics are made of lightweight plastics and other advanced materials to provide new levels of comfort and support. Often the orthosis is designed in a rigid L shape that is contoured to the calf and flesh colored.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Lots of stars leave events with pain causing heels in hand, but that’s not the case with actress Thandie Newton, according to “Style News Now, People.” “The thing about blisters is that, if you get a blister it’s good. The skin in that area is going to toughen up, so it actually means your feet have been wounded and healed to wear those specific shoes,” said Newton at the Cinema for Peace Foundation gala in Beverly Hills. According to Newton a callus form on the area where the shoes rub and that so happens to be the case with her, breaking into new kicks. “I always welcome the blister – it’s like the labor for birth.”

Having blisters on your feet can cause discomfort, and lead to pain. If you believe you have a foot blister and are experiencing pain the affected area it is best to seek a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your feet and work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options to ensure safe foot recovery.

Blisters on the Feet

When tight or ill fitting footwear is worn, many times a foot blister may develop. Blisters can even develop by constant rubbing from the shoe, often times leading to pain.

What is a Foot Blister?

A foot blister is a small pocket that is filled with fluid, forming on the upper most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid, and may lead to drainage of blood or pus if the area has become infected.

How do they Form?

Blisters of the feet are almost always the result of shoe rubbing and constant friction of the skin and material. Long periods of walking in shoes, sandals, or boots which don’t fit properly can result in a blister. Those who often have moisture or humidity in the feet are prone to blister formation easily.

To learn more about preventative and treatment options please follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Many embody the belief that it is best to push through pain during sports, such as running, when in fact pain is a cause for concern and not something to be ignored. According to Annie Padrid, a Chicago fitness professional, pain is a sign that you should take a break from training.  Stress fractures are an example of an injury that could become worse if you run through the pain.  Any discomfort in the lower extremities could be an indication of a stress fracture.  “The more you keep running, the more likely it will become a full fracture.  We as bone surgeons don’t believe in ‘push through the pain,’” saidDr. Norman Verhoog, an orthopedic surgeon.  

 When overuse occurs in the bone, it can lead to stress fracturesor in the case of a tendon, tendinitis. If you think you may have sustained an injury such as a stress fracture you should seek out the care of a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay can diagnose any foot injuries you may have and provide you with treatment options that work for you.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

The Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  Then the feet and ankles lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection the bones receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes cracks to form in the bones, thus called stress fractures.

What are Stress Fractures?

Common among individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

-runners                                 
-people affected with Osteoporosis
-play tennis or basketball
-gymnastics
-high impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves in high impact will aggravate pain.

To learn more about appropriate treatment options, follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Postman Neil Pert has suffered from gout for 12 years, and had to make one of several changes due to his condition.  Neil transferred to a desk job position since he couldn’t stand on his feet for longer than an hour. “I’m crippled by it, and had to have three months off of work because the pain was so excruciating.” The 44-year-old states his foot and ankles get receive the greatest amount of pain during his attacks, and can’t bear any weight on them.

Although many cases of gout are rare, according to the DailyMail doctors say they are seeing an increase in numbers of patients with extreme gout and joint damage. Gout risk factors include obesity and heavy alcohol consumption, since the extra pressure of weight plays a role on joints and chemical changes in the body. Doctors urged Neil to make changes his lifestyle. Since then he lost 84 lbs, and minimized alcohol consumption making his severe gout attacks less frequent.

If you think you may be suffering from gout you should seek out the care of a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can diagnose any foot conditions or injuries you may have as well as provide you with a range of treatment options.

Systemic Disease of the Foot

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include: gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus- is an increase in the level of blood sugar in which the body cannot counteract with the insulin in the body. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.

To learn more about gout please follow link below.  

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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