With school starting many children will be getting new shoes. Here are three tips in getting the proper shoes for children....and for adults.
First press on both sides of the back of the shoe's heel. It should not collapse when pushed on.
Second check toe flexibility-it should bend with the toes but not too stiff in the toe box.
Lastly grab the shoe in the front and back and twist. A shoe should not twist easily in the middle.
Also when shoe shopping remember to try on shoes with the socks they will be wearing to get the proper fit.

Exactly what are CALLUSES OR CORNS? Corns or Calluses is thicken skin that forms at points of pressure over bony prominencces or on the bottom of your foot.
WHAT CAUSES IT? It is caused by repeated friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas.
HOW TO PREVENT IT: Wear supportive shoes with a wide toe box and low heel. Use over-the-counter creams but avoid medicated callus/corn remover pads. If you do not have diabetes soak your feet in warm wter, and use a pumice stone or file to treat. Avoid tight-fitting shoes, socks and hosiery. If you are a diabetic you need a podiatrist to take care of your corns or calluses. Call our office at 419-423-1888 for an appoitment today if you do not have a professional doctor to take care of your diabetic feet.
You can visit our online store at www.vailfoot.com for pads that can "off-load" the painful areas caused by calluses.

check out this blister dressing on our online store if you have blisters. go to http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=705&DEPARTMENT_ID=256

Spyroflex Blister Dressings (For Blisters)
A unique self adhesive material designed to adjust its breathablility and to control wound drainage while maintaining a protective moist-healing environment! Spyroflex dressings are self adhesive, water resistant, may be worn 7 days, are easy to remove, can be cut to size and provide an effective barrier to germs, dirt and bacteria.
Product Description:Use as both a preventative treatment against blisters or as a protection over a blister. This new generation of intelligent dressings combines open cell construction for efficient moisture management with a semi-permeable outer skin that helps protect the wound from external moisture and contamination.
Features:
Ideal for the protection and prevention of blisters
Specifically designed to absorb wound fluid and to cushion blister from further painful contact and rubbing
Comfortable and flexible
Water resistant and bacteria proof
Advantages:
They promote faster healing – wounds that are not allowed to dry out heal substantially faster.
They reduce pain – exposed nerve endings are covered and kept hydrated.
They help wounds to breathe.
They stay in place 3 to 7 days.
They minimize scarring – Spyroflex® dressings prevent scab formation

Each pack contains 5 dressings

BLISTERS: They are painful, lesions filled with fluid. They are caused by ill-fitting shoes or wrinkled socks against the skin. So it is really important to have properly fitting shoes to avoid these blisters.
What can you do to avoid them ? Keep feet dry. Do not wear the same pair of shoes every day, switch off between pairs of shoes. Always wear socks as a cushion between your feet and shoes. If you have sweaty feet you could wear wick away socks. This will help to keep your feet dry. Wear properly fitting shoes. The length of your shoes should be one finger width from the end of your longest toe. Some people's longest toe happen to be their second toe, so the shoe should be a thumb's width from the second toe. Do not pop a blister. You can carefully open a corner of the blister closest to the bottom of the foot with a sterilized needle and drain. Apply an antibiotic cream and cover with a bandage. A mild blister you can treat with soap and water and cover with antiseptic ointment and band aid. Check blisters regularly to ensure it doesn't get infected. Next time use moleskin to reduce friction so you don't get blisters.

Hands & Feet Pumice Stone

Are you concerned with the appearance of your hands or feet? If you need to remove unsightly calluses, then try this product from our online store. Hands & Feet Pumice Sponge is the hygienic way to soften, exfoliate, and clean skin. The unique shape smooths away hard skin on feet, heels, toes, hands, and elbows. The warmer the water, the gentler the sponge becomes, so it can be used on delicate areas.
Features:
Safely removes dry, thick, and callused skin without sharp blades or chemicals.
Leaves feet and hands refreshingly smooth and healthy looking.
Long lasting sponge provides a “spa-like” treatment to tired feet. A real “pick-me-up” at the end of a long day!

Visit our online store at: http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=727&DEPARTMENT_ID=54 for more information or to order.

What is athlete's foot?
It can be flaky, dry, cracked itchy skin. It can be very red in color also. Sometimes there is a smell with it and blisters.
What causes it: Shoes cause a warm, dark and humid environment that encourages fungal growth. You can contract it in dressing rooms, locker room showers, or in hotel rooms and swimming pools.
How to prevent it: Check your feet everyday and be aware of changes or unusual growths. 2. Keep shoes and socks dry. 3. Wash feet daily with soap and water and be sure to dry between the toes. Use a hair dryer to get between the toes if you can't use a towel. 4. Change shoes regularly. Switch off between shoes, don't wear the same pair every day. 5. Wear flip-flops in public showers and around the swimming pool. 6. Don't wear the same pair of socks every day. Ladies that goes for panty hose also. They should only be worn once and then washed.
There are products on our web store that would be beneficial to you. There is fungasoap and tineacide antifungal cream that would help. The address is www.vailfoot.com

More Stretching Exercises

Stretching can help relieve pain you may be experiencing in your feet. A good way to eliminate pain in the arch of your foot is a stretch called the step drop.

You can practice the step drop exercise on a step or stool. Begin the exercise by standing on the step or stool with your heels hanging off. If you are using a stool, be sure it is stable enough to hold you weight. You can always ask someone to hold the stool to stabilize it. Stretch out the arch of the foot by lowering on one off the step at a time. Alternate heels and do about ten per foot. This is an easy exercise to do throughout the day, especially if you have steps at home or at work.

Stretching Your Feet

It is important to take care of your feet. An important step in the care of your feet is stretching. In our office, we recommend patients to stretch their feet at least once a day. Stretching will relieve pressure and aid in reducing any pain you may be experiencing. A good stretch to practice through the day is a toe raise.

Use a chair or stool to rest your hands to provide support and balance. If using a chair, it should be turned around so that your hands are resting on the back of the chair. Standing straight, your feet should be about a foot away from the back of the chair. While holding onto the chair, slowly lift your heels off the ground so that your body is raised onto your toes. Start by doing 20 a day, then add a few more each day. You should work up to doing about 100 toe raises a day. If you feel comfortable, you can do toe raises without the support of the chair to increase your balance. This exercise will also help build your calf muscles.

Taking Care of Your Feet

Keeping your feet healthy will help keep the rest of your body in motion. Here are ten general tips to keeping your feet healthy!

1. Don't ignore foot pain. It's not normal. If the pain persists, contact our office.


2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate Athlete's Foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal. Consider getting into the habit of checking your feet after showering.


3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.


4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.


5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest, and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.


6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (e.g. running shoes for running).


7. Alternate shoes -- don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.


8. Avoid walking barefoot. Your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet, along with the rest of your body.


9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.


10. If you are a diabetic, contact our office and schedule a check-up at least once a year.

Be sure to check out our website for more foot tips! http://www.vailfoot.com/

Quick Pain Relief

Do your feet ever feel inflammed in the mornings? Does your foot pain increase when you get in and out of bed? Have you ever wondered if there was a quick, conservative way to relieve your pain in the mornings?

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, a lot of our patients tell us that they feel a slight pain in the mornings and in the evenings that goes away later in the day. We advise them to try what we call a "water bottle roll" to relieve small pains in the morning or at night.

Begin by freezing a water bottle about 3/4 of the way full with water. Once frozen, roll the water bottle in the arch of your foot when you get out of bed or are getting ready for bed. Continue to roll in your arch until you feel relief.

If you continue to experience pain or inflammation, be sure to call our office to determine other ways to treat your pain.