All South Bay Footcare

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Common Causes of Flat Feet

We’re all familiar with what it means to be flat footed, but what determines the depth of the arch on your foot? The condition known as flat feet is exactly as it sounds—a foot with an arch that has fallen flat to the floor. It is a relatively common condition that is typically painless, though some patients may experience a resulting inward turn of the ankles, which can in turn lead to compromised balance, ligament and muscle strain in the foot, and discomfort in the calf, knee, and hip. Read below to discover what can lead to the slow descent of your arch:

Causes and Risk Factors

Flat feet are usually witnessed in infants, who have yet to develop tendon tautness in their feet. If, however, infants do not develop arches as they grow, then they may as adults retain their flat feet. Others, however, obtain and lose their arches as they age. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

• A genetic predisposition to tendon weakness. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot.
• The additional pressure of weight gain caused by obesity or pregnancy.
• An injury that ruptures or severely loosens the tendons at the sole of the foot.
• Various diseases that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, including muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy.
• The general wear and tear that comes with age.

If you have fallen arches that are causing you no discomfort, treatment is likely unnecessary. However, if you are experiencing discomfort, balance problems, or other symptoms, then there are a variety of treatment options available, ranging from customized orthotics to ankle braces. To learn more about these fixes, call All South Bay Footcare in the Los Angeles at (310) 986-2925. We can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a treatment plan that best suits your needs.

4 Tips for Preventing Blisters

Blisters are an unfortunately common side effect of exercise and can be painful to those who wish to keep their workout routine regular and pain-free. In the following information, you’ll find a list of helpful tips on preventing blisters:

1. Wear appropriate shoes. The first step to avoiding blisters is investing in an appropriate pair of shoes. Be sure that they fit your feet properly and that there is no significant friction in the toe or heel areas. In addition, try to select a pair of shoes that are made of a sturdy material, as these are less likely to develop patchy, worn-away areas that can chafe the foot.
2. Choose the right socks. As with your shoes, choose socks that fit your foot correctly, staying away from products that fall down at the heel or bunch at the toe. You’ll also need to carefully inspect the material used. Avoid socks with bulky logos and stitching near high-friction areas of the foot, and stay away from rough fabrics that absorb moisture and rub the foot.
3. Apply powder and/or lubricant. To avoid the sock rubbing against the foot as you sweat, apply a foot powder, talcum powder, or cornstarch to keep dry. This will prevent the worst chafing and also keep you from succumbing to fungal infections, like athlete’s foot. Some walkers and runners also use lubricant to keep their shoes and socks from rubbing at their heels and toes, though this is often more popular among serious athletes.
4. Experiment with protective products for the skin. For those with skin that has proven especially vulnerable to blisters, specialty products like second skin, blister blocks, and other cushioning bandages can be used to protect and cushion specific areas of the foot from chafing.

For more information on preventing blisters, call All South Bay Footcare at (310) 986-2925. We specialize in foot problems and provide in-office procedures to correct foot ailments. Visit us online to learn more about our services in the Los Angeles area, including bunion surgery, ingrown toenail treatment, and corn removal.

Happy Thanksgiving from All South Bay Footcare!

As the holiday season is in full swing, we’d like to take the chance to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! No matter what your plans are or where you’ll be, we’re hoping you’ve got something you’re thankful for. We’re thankful for being able to help people address and correct the foot issues they may have. Take a minute and share something you’re thankful for!

Smelly Feet? Feet that Hurt? Check Out These Tips for Some Answers

Are you suffering from chronic foot odor? Perhaps you want to know how can you benefit from cryosurgery? If you’re interested in more information on products to combat foot odor or how cryosurgery works to alleviate painful foot conditions, then check out some of these great resources:

• What is causing your foot odor? Find out with this overview from LiveStrong.com.
• Keep foot odor under control with Pedinol Ostiderm Roll-On Deodorant & Antiperspirant For The Feet.
• This article from the American Podiatric Medicine Association provides an overview on podiatric medicine and its relative services.
• How can cryosurgery help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain? Learn more with this link.
• Learn more about the eight most common foot problems with this article.

For more information on our services, give All South Bay Footcare a call at (310) 986-2925 today.