Athlete’s foot is a skin infection caused by fungus. As the name implies, it is common among athletes; this is mainly due to the fact that locker rooms, pools, and public showers are likely to harbor the fungus. The fungus also prefers moist, warm, and dark areas such as in between the toes on feet that are generally covered with shoes. While the infection usually first occurs between the toes, it can spread to the rest of the foot. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, burning sensations, and peeling skin. If scratched, the fungus can spread to other parts of the body like nails. To prevent athlete’s foot, keep your feet dry. If your feet sweat a lot, change socks frequently to prevent moisture buildup. Once you are finished showering or out of the pool, dry the feet thoroughly. Finally, wear shoes that allow the feet to "breathe” to help prevent sweat and allow the feet to cool down.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists from Dr. Siegerman & Associates.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Working out and building strength is a good way to help prevent running injuries. Here are a couple of workouts you can try to help build muscle in your feet and legs. Do each of these exercises for and 4 to 5 sets of 15 to 25 repetitions . Before you do these however, it is recommended you see a podiatrist first and ask if exercising is right for you. To do a toe-curl walk, stand barefoot and move forward with your right leg using only your toes, then do the same for the left foot; you will only move an inch or so while doing this. Heel raises are easy to do. Just stand up on your toes while keeping your heels off the ground for about 1 second and then come down. Chair squats are a good way to work your quadriceps. Place a non-rolling chair behind you, and squat down over it so that your butt only briefly touches the chair. Then come up. Finally, to workout your gluteus muscles, lay on your stomach and bend your knee at a 90 degree angle. Slowly raise your thigh off the ground for a couple of seconds, then bring down your thigh and repeat with the other leg. These exercises are quick and easy to do and will build strength that will further help prevent running injuries.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the podiatrists of Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Falls and their effects on the elderly are, unfortunately, not reported on enough. This lack of reporting prevents overall awareness and the spread of knowledge in how to prevent them. Fortunately this has been changing in the past several years, with 2008 marking the first year that Falls Prevention Awareness Day was held by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Despite this, awareness of the issue has a long way to go. Here are some facts about falls and falls prevention. Those who are age 65 or older and who have been to the emergency department are unlikely to engage in falls-prevention programs once discharged. While it has been reported that regular strength and flexibility programs for the elderly help prevent falls, some practices like Tai Chi have been found to help as well. Finally, elderly persons who have a history of falls, have suffered from a previous fracture, and have a body mass index (BMI) of 20 kg/m² are more likely to suffer another fracture.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with the podiatrists from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many people who suffer from foot pain are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, but what is it? Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament in the heel. Symptoms consist of a stabbing or burning pain in the heel, which tends to worsen from overuse. Thankfully, it is a condition that can be treated. Typical causes of plantar fasciitis include repetitive movements from athletic activities, flat feet, obesity, age, and poor footwear. If you think you suffer from plantar fasciitis, see a podiatrist for a diagnosis. Treatment can include a simple change in footwear, orthotics, keeping pressure off the foot, and corticosteroids. Plantar fasciitis can be painful, but it is treatable with proper care.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact the podiatrists  from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout, a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals forming in joints, can be very painful and can occur in any joint in the body. Thankfully, gout can be managed with a good diet. Avoiding high intakes of acid-rich food is advised. Purines, which are converted into uric acid by the body, come from animal and plant foods. Purine-rich diets, especially from meat and seafood, increase the risk of gout attacks. While not completely preventing gout attacks, diets with plenty of vegetables do help. Low-fat dairy products have been found to prevent uric acid buildup as well. Alcohol has also been linked with dramatically increased rates of gout attacks, so cutting back on alcohol is a great way to prevent gout attacks. While improving your diet won’t eliminate gout, it will certainly help to lessen attacks and their effects.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact the podiatrists from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetes presents a number of problems for those who have it. This is especially true for children, who are more likely to sustain a foot injury from playing. Due to decreased sensitivity, a child may not realize they have a wound and not tell their parent. Coupled with poor blood circulation, the wound may not heal and may become infected; this could be very dangerous and, in extreme cases, potentially result in amputation. Both parents and children should know what to look for and how to care for diabetic feet. This includes doing daily foot inspections for wounds or any abnormal signs. Diabetic children should wash their feet with warm water and make sure to dry them properly. Make sure to avoid extremely hot and cold environments, and check the water temperature first before washing. Children should also avoid walking barefoot. Be sure to inspect shoes for any objects inside and to ensure the interior is smooth. Finally, seeing a podiatrist for an examination several times a year is highly recommended.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact the podiatrists of Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Compared to younger athletes, elderly athletes are more likely to suffer a foot injury as they get older. Foot conditions and injuries that affect all ages include plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, stress fractures, and Morton’s neuroma. While the sport one plays can vary, there are certain things that athletes of all ages can do to prevent foot injuries. Wearing an ankle brace can help prevent sprains, while quality footwear can prevent foot pain. Proper arch support can be the difference between comfort and discomfort. Custom orthotics may be necessary for some people who have flat or unsupported feet. Stretching is vital, and everyone should stretch not only before an activity but after as well. Finally, keeping your feet dry by changing socks and using foot powder can prevent conditions like athlete’s foot. If you are an elderly athlete, be sure to see a podiatrist to see if certain activities are right for you.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists from Dr. Siegerman & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Drexel Hill and West Chester, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.