June 2023

Many people welcome the warmer weather for the opportunity to go shoeless and feel the earth beneath their feet. However, if an individual walks barefoot for prolonged periods of time, or if they are in hazardous environments, their feet can endure injury and infections. People who walk barefoot can get blisters or burns from hot cement and injuries from stepping on nails or other sharp objects. Additionally, athlete’s foot may develop from exposure to a fungus that is found in warm and wet environments. Locker rooms or public showers can fall into this category. Athlete’s foot is an infection of the feet that results in red, cracked skin, which can often blister. Patients who have diabetes or poor circulation are slower to heal, and the loss of sensation in their feet can make it difficult to feel pain, possibly increasing the risk of infections. Wearing flip-flops or water shoes around pool areas or at the beach can offer protection to the feet. If you have endured an injury or infection, such as athlete’s foot, from walking barefoot, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an evaluation, treatment, and prevention measures.

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 Dr. Robert Marcus from Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck.  Our doctor 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 our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A feeling of numbness in the toes may be nothing more than the result of wearing shoes that do not fit properly. For instance, high heeled shoes with a narrow and pointy toe box can be the direct cause of this phenomenon. In those cases, removing the shoes may fix the problem. However, if numbness in the toes is frequent, or even chronic, an underlying cause may be indicated. One major cause of numbness in the feet and toes can be from diabetes. Damage to the peripheral nerves from high levels of blood sugar can block feeling in the toes. A condition called Morton’s neuroma, which is a thickening of the nerve tissues near the ball of the foot can also cause numbness that affects the toes. Among the other medical conditions that can result in numbness of the toes are gout, arthritis, and hammertoe. If numb toes becomes a frequent problem, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a full exam and diagnosis. 

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Robert Marcus from Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe is a common foot condition that can happen from an imbalance of muscles surrounding the toe joints. Hammertoe can be categorized as classic hammertoe, mallet toe, and claw toe. In classic hammertoe, the affected toe will bend down at the joint and resemble a hammer. As toes are important to the balance of the foot and control pressure distribution, hammertoe can cause problems with walking. The affected toe can appear deformed, calluses can form on them, and it may be painful to wear shoes. Relief options for hammertoe pain can include choosing shoes with wide toe boxes, using toe pads, and wearing orthotics. If these conservative options are not successful and pain persists or worsens, surgery may be an option to straighten the toe. If you suffer from a painful hammertoe, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an evaluation and to receive treatment that is personalized to your specific situation.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A plantar wart is a growth that develops on the sole of the foot. The wart is caused by coming into contact with the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Plantar warts are most commonly seen on the ball or heel of the foot. Because these two areas take the force of your weight, the wart may become hardened and look like a callus. It also may contain tiny black dots that are actually dried up or clotted capillaries. Plantar warts are contagious and should not be touched, if possible, because they can be spread to other body parts. Treatment options range from applying salicylic acid to remove the wart layer by layer to removing the wart at one time by surgery. Additional treatments of plantar warts include spraying with liquid nitrogen and laser therapy to burn off the wart. Each type of treatment brings with it certain painful or annoying side effects, and the methods take varied amounts of time to get the best result. For help with a plantar wart, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can prescribe the treatment that will work best for you.  

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Robert Marcus from Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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