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Athlete’s foot is an uncomfortable and contagious rash on the feet. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in warm and wet areas that include shower room floors, public swimming pools, and locker rooms. People who have this condition can experience itching between the toes and on the bottom of the feet, and the skin may be dry and scaly. In severe cases, athlete’s foot may cause severe pain and swelling, and blisters may form that have a pus-like drainage. There may be medical conditions that can cause athlete's foot to develop as well. These include dermatitis, psoriasis, and certain types of bacterial and fungal infections. It is suggested that people who frequent these types of places wear appropriate shoes, in addition to refraining from sharing towels, shoes, and socks. A diagnosis consists of looking at the infected area, and possibly taking a skin sample that can confirm athlete’s foot. If you have a rash on your foot, please schedule an appointment with a chiropodist who can effectively treat this condition.

Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. To learn more about preventing and treating this condition, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Athlete’s Foot? 

Athlete’s foot refers to an infection of the skin on the feet that is caused by a fungus. This fungus is contagious and thrives in warm and moist environments. It is often spread in common areas such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers. It can also spread when sharing personal items, like shoes or towels, with an infected person. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of athlete’s foot may include: 

• Itching, stinging, or burning of the skin on the feet
• Cracking or peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet
• Scaly, red rash on the foot
• Blisters
• Foul odor

Treatment

Treatment for athlete’s foot typically involves using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications on the feet. When over-the-counter options are ineffective, you may need to take prescription oral medications or topical antifungal drugs, or a combination of both. 

Prevention

Preventing athlete’s foot places an emphasis on good foot hygiene practices. 

You can prevent athlete’s foot by:

• Washing and drying your feet thoroughly every day
• Wearing shoes when walking in public areas
• Not sharing personal items, like shoes or socks, with others
• Wearing shoes and socks made out of breathable materials

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

Having a chiropodist perform a thorough fall risk assessment is a good way to help seniors become proactive about reducing their risk of falling. Among other things, the chiropodist may suggest certain balance exercises to strengthen muscles and help increase body movement awareness. Single-leg stance exercises can help increase your balance gradually. They require only a table or chair to help you balance yourself on one leg while performing a simple movement on the other. They can be done up to three times a day or as suggested by a chiropodist. They begin with your legs slightly separated and your hands placed on a table or chair in front of you for balance. This is the resting position. For the first exercise, slowly lift your right leg to the side, approximately 6 inches from the ground. Hold for 10 seconds and then lower it. Repeat this 5-10 times and then switch to the other leg. Assume the resting position again and then slowly bend your right knee as you raise your foot 6 inches from the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower it and do 5-10 reps before repeating the steps on the other leg. Your chiropodist may suggest additional balance exercises and will also devise specific fall prevention measures based on their assessment of your individual risk.

Falls are a common but preventable problem for older adults. If you would like to learn more about preventing falls, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Did you know that most falls occur in the home? Fortunately, there are many simple changes that you can make to the living environment to reduce the risk of falling. 

In the Bathroom:

• Install grab bars near toilets, bathtubs, and showers
• Put non-skid mats on all surfaces that may get wet

In the Bedroom:

• Keep a light near the bed so that you can easily turn it on if you have to get up at night
• Keep the path from your bedroom to the bathroom clutter-free and well-lit
• Consider installing a bed rail for added support

In the Kitchen:

• Use non-skid mats
• Wipe up any spills immediately
• Move commonly used items to areas that are easily within your reach

In the Hallways:

• Place handrails on both sides of the stairs
• Install good lighting in the hallways and around the entire home
• Keep hallways free of clutter
• Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs

In Other Living Areas: 

• Keep loose cables, cords, and wires near the wall and away from walking surfaces
• Make sure that all carpets and rugs are secure firmly to the floor
• Arrange your furniture so that it is not in your way when you walk
• Use chairs and couches that you can easily get up from

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

Foot injuries are common among athletes and can originate from many sources. The foot is probably the most intricate area in the body. It also serves as a launching pad for athletes– it is the first part to make contact with the ground, it absorbs the forces of the ground, and it propels the athlete in any direction they wish to go. With all it does, it is not surprising that an athlete’s foot can be overused and subject to injury and pain. However, it is important to note that foot pain may be a result from something further up the leg, like the pelvis, hips, knee, or ankle, rather than from the foot itself. There are numerous bones and joints in the foot, as well as muscles, ligaments, and tendons that connect the joints together. Then there are more structures that connect the foot to the lower leg and further on up the body. Ankle sprains are the most common trauma to the ankle/foot. A sprain involves damage to the ligaments. Ankle sprains can lead to chronic ankle instability. Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis result in inflammation and are the two most common overuse injuries athletes sustain. Tendon strains and stress fractures are also common impairments among athletes. Above the foot, ankle impingement involving the pinching of structures restricting ankle and foot movements, gluteal weakness, and core instability can affect the feet. If you are an athlete and struggling with these or other problems leading to foot pain, consult with a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and a treatment regime.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures
• Sinus tarsi syndrome
• Extensor tendonitis
• Tibialis anterior tendonitis
• Gout
• Athlete’s foot
• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Foot cramps
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fibromatosis
• Posterior tibial tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain
• Cuboid syndrome
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Bunions
• Corns or calluses
• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bone spurs
• Heel fractures
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout
• Hammertoe
• Turf toe
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON . 

It is necessary to practice everyday foot care during the entire year, but many people spend extra time taking care of their feet during the summer and winter months. There are simple procedures that can be implemented all year which can make the feet look and feel fantastic. These can include trimming the toenails correctly and it is also beneficial to use a good moisturizer daily which may help to prevent cracked heels. The risk can increase for fungal infections when the feet are moist, so it is advised to keep the feet as dry as possible. Many patients enjoy the benefits of exfoliating their feet which can remove existing dead skin. Wearing shoes that fit comfortably may reduce the risk of getting blisters and corns. It is important that shoes have adequate room for the toes to move freely as well as enough cushioning in the heel area. Blood circulation may be improved when a daily or weekly foot massage is performed and an extra benefit it can bring is overall relaxation to the overall body. If you would like more methods on how to practice everyday foot care, please consult with a chiropodist.

Caring for your feet is not just something done at the chiropodist’s office. Good foot care starts at home. If you would like to learn more about daily foot care practices, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

There are many things that you can do at home to help care for your feet, including: 

• Wearing shoes and socks that fit properly
• Washing the feet daily with soap and water
• Drying the feet thoroughly
• Applying moisturizer to the soles and heels of the feet
• Taking a walk and exercising the feet regularly
• Doing foot stretches and strengthening exercises 

A chiropodist can help figure out a manageable foot care routine for you to keep your feet healthy. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Vaughan, ON .