October 2022

Sometimes, an individual’s feet may become itchy during the middle of the night. This may be caused by a case of dry skin or some other medical condition. Since itching sensations during bedtime can be particularly troublesome and disruptive to sleep, there are certain things you might consider doing to prevent this from happening. Most importantly, an individual might consider applying an everyday foot moisturizer to the feet before bed at night. Lotions that contain menthol might be particularly helpful because of the cooling sensation that it produces. If the skin on the feet feels especially dry, an individual might even opt for a more significant, heavy-duty cream for the feet. If you feel itchy at night, contact a podiatrist today for more tips about foot lotion. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The function of the feet is to provide balance and mobility to the body. This may be compromised when there are existing foot deformities. When the feet are positioned incorrectly, it may cause the body to move out of alignment and prompt medical attention is often sought. Incorrect foot positioning may be one of the first signs that specific foot conditions are developing and many of them have to do with an abnormal arch. Skew foot can happen when the arch loses its original position and this can occur from having unstable tendons and ligaments. Flat feet, which are also known as fallen arches, can produce pain and discomfort. It is noticeable as the inside of the foot is lower than the rest of the foot. Additionally, many children are pigeon-toed which forces the feet to point inward. Research has shown this condition is typically easy to correct. If you would like more information about various rare foot conditions, please consult with a podiatrist who can provide you with the information you seek.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Many people are surprised by the amount of pain that a corn can cause because they are so small. When they develop on the outside of the pinky toe, it can alter the gait or walking style, and can be quite uncomfortable. This type of corn generally occurs from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, and the pain may gradually subside when a protective covering is worn over it. If it is severe, and causes difficulty in completing daily activities, it may have to be surgically removed. Corns can fit into three categories. A corn on the pinky toe is considered to be a hard corn. This type of corn is the most common, and can also develop on the tops of the toes, or on the balls of the feet. Having dry skin may produce seed corns, and these are often found in clusters. Soft corns are rubbery in texture, and can be found between the toes, which can be a result of the moisture from sweat that can accumulate there. It is beneficial to wear shoes that are larger, which may help to accommodate the corn, and relief may be found when the shoes provide adequate shock absorption. If you have developed corns of any type on your feet, please confer with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this foot condition.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you are a worker that spends the vast majority of the workday on your feet, you might be putting yourself at an increased risk of developing a foot condition or affliction. For example, if someone stands for a prolonged period of time, experiencing swollen feet, heart problems, or circulatory problems could become more likely. To address these issues, one might consider intentionally taking breaks throughout the workday to sit down and rest. During these breaks, an individual might also consider stretching the feet, perhaps flexing and pointing them. Reach out to your podiatrist to schedule an appointment today if you spend the workday on your feet. This foot specialist can help you identify and address any problems you may have.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Cascade Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Yakima and Ellensburg, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.