July 2021
Gout and Diet
Small urate crystals that can lodge in the joints of the big toe, causing severe pain, can be indicative of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis, and is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. It may develop as a result of genetic factors, or from eating foods that have large amounts of purines. These types of foods can include shellfish, red meat, alcohol, and drinks that are made with sugar. Some of the symptoms that are associated with this ailment consist of pain and swelling in the big toe and surrounding area, and the condition may worsen at night. Patients who have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or who may be obese are more likely to develop gout. Relief may be felt after making positive lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications that may consist of eating more fruits, vegetables, and drinking plenty of fresh water. If you are afflicted with gout, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.
Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Genine Befumo, DPM from University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.
People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.
Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Monroe Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!
Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!
Preventing Blisters Is the Best Way to Cure Them
When skin becomes damaged due to friction or other causes, a pocket of fluid (blister) may form which acts as a protective layer, or cushion. Clear serum is the fluid inside of a blister which helps the skin heal and protects it from becoming infected. If the blister is filled with yellow or green pus, this can mean that an infection has set in. Proper treatment is necessary in order to get rid of the infection and to avoid potential serious complications. To help prevent blisters from forming on your feet, make sure your shoes fit well and are comfortable—with no areas that cause friction or put pressure on your feet or toes. Keep your feet dry by purchasing moisture-wicking socks. If you have an infected blister or frequently experience blisters on your feet, it is suggested that you seek the professional care of a podiatrist.
Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Genine Befumo, DPM of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Foot Blisters
Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.
What Are Foot Blisters?
A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.
Symptoms
(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)
- Bubble of skin filled with fluid
- Redness
- Moderate to severe pain
- Itching
Prevention & Treatment
In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Monroe Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
What Podiatrists Can Do
Podiatrists are doctors that specialize in treating conditions that affect the feet of children, adults, and seniors. They can treat infections, provide pain relief, correct deformities, and help to heal broken bones. Podiatrists help treat specific conditions such as diabetes, ingrown toenails, flat feet, bunions, heel pain, blisters, athlete’s foot, cracked heels and so much more. Podiatrists are also able to prescribe orthotics, which are typically custom made shoe inserts, in order to relieve pressure from problem areas on the feet. Podiatrists can help you pick proper footwear to prevent a variety of foot and ankle conditions from developing. They can also help you choose the correct walking or running shoe too. If you have a foot problem that you are unsure about or are experiencing any type of foot pain, a podiatrist is trained to help find a diagnosis and provide proper treatment for your specific condition.
If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Genine Befumo, DPM from University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Podiatrist?
Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.
Podiatric Treatment
A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:
- Physical therapy
- Drugs
- Orthotic inserts or soles
- Surgery on lower extremity fractures
A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Monroe Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
My Child's Foot Is Asleep
Foot numbness in children is frequently caused by a compression of the nerves in the foot following a period of sitting with the legs or feet tucked underneath the body. The term for this is the foot “falling asleep.” Though your child may feel a pins and needles sensation, heaviness, or pain in their feet upon standing, this is nothing to worry about and tends to go away within minutes as the foot “wakes up.” Nevertheless, there are other possible causes of foot numbness, such as injuries to the feet or ankles, that you should watch out for. If your child complains of frequent foot pain or numbness that interferes with their daily activities or gets worse over time, it is suggested that you take your child to see a podiatrist.
The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Genine Befumo, DPM of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
- Make sure their shoes fit properly
- Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
- Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
- Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
- Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
- Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
- Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
- Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Monroe Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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