Pedicure Safety Tips

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Getting a pedicure can be a relaxing way to treat yourself and make sure your toes look their best, but if you’re not careful, you can be putting your feet at serious risk for infection. Follow these tips to make sure your feet stay healthy and that you’re getting the safest pedicure possible.

It isn’t always easy to pick up on the little clues that let you know whether your chosen salon gives a safe pedicure. Be on the lookout for the following when visiting a new salon to determine whether you’d put your feet in their hands:

Are the nail stations clean?

Do the nail technicians wash their hands after each client?

Are there dirty tools lying around?

Is your nail technician licensed and/or experienced?

If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask staff how they clean their pedicure tools. 

Make sure pedicure tools are sterilized between each client

Always be sure that your pedicurist is using freshly sanitized metal tools on you. Pedicure tools should be soaked in a liquid disinfectant. This effectively kills most microbial life that can lead to infection. Some salons might use UV lights to sanitize tools, but these are not as effective at sterilizing.

Tell your pedicurist how to cut your toenails

Toenails should be cut straight across along the natural contour of the nail. Make sure your pedicurist doesn’t cut your toenails into rounded shapes. If you already have ingrown toenails, you are more vulnerable to infection, and should hold off on having a pedicure until after you see a podiatrist.

Don’t have a pedicure just after shaving your legs

When shaving your legs, the razor creates tiny tears in the skin, which can allow bacteria to directly enter the body. This can lead to serious infections. You should wait at least two days after shaving before having a pedicure. 

Do your own pedicure if you have diabetes

Some experts recommend that people with diabetes skip spa pedicures because of the risk of complications. Diabetics may get an infection from a pedicure, which may be very slow to heal because of their diabetes.

If your doctor has said it’s ok for you to get pedicures as a diabetic, there are several ways to reduce the risk of problems, including:

  • Bringing your own tools. Providing your own tools at the nail salon is the best way to ensure foot safety. A good pedicure toolkit should include:

o   Nail clipper
o   Nail file
o   Orange stick
o   Nippero   Foot paddle or pumice stone
o   Buffing brick
o   Moisturizer or cuticle oil
o   Nail polish

  • Let your nail technician know if you have nerve damage in your feet due to your diabetes, and may not be able to feel scalding water or skin nicks and scrapes.
  • Don’t clip cuticles. Clipping cuticles opens a door to infections. Instead of cutting them, gently push back cuticles with an orange stick
  • Pay attention to pressure. An overzealous nail technician might vigorously scrape or cut hardened skin or callused feet, which can lead to sores and infection.

Caring for your feet is essential and safe pedicures are a big part of foot care. Contact our Austin podiatry office today for more answers to your questions about pedicure safety.

Myths & Facts About Bunion Surgery

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Bunion surgeries have been performed since the 19th century, but the approaches and techniques for the surgical removal of bunions have changed drastically since the procedure was first performed. In fact, there are over 100 procedures that have been developed to correct bunions since then. With the continuing evolution of in surgical bunion treatment, there’s bound to be some confusion and misinformation about the latest methods for removing bunions. Here, we offer the straight facts for some of the popular myths about bunion surgery.

Myth: Bunion surgery is extremely painful

Fact: Bunion surgery isn’t any more painful than other types of surgeries. Foot surgery may tend to result in more postoperative pain than other types of surgery because blood can rush to the area, causing a throbbing feeling. Also, since there isn’t much tissue surrounding the bones of the foot, postoperative swelling can press against the nerves, causing pain. Most patients find that pain medication and a program dedicated to pain relief makes postoperative pain tolerable.

Myth: All bunion surgeries are the same

Fact: Though all bunion surgeries involve manipulation of the bone, there are different approaches to bunion surgery that can generally be divided into 3 categories:

  • Bunion Shaving: Generally for very small bunions, some excess bone is removed from the inside of the toe. Ligament repair may also performed to realign the big toe. This type of surgery is often combined with other types of procedures.
  • Bone Cutting: With this type of surgery, the malpositioned bone is repaired by cutting and structurally changing the shape of the bone for better alignment.
  • Bone Fusion: This method realigns the entire bone through the arch by fusing a non-essential joint in the foot. The bone is realigned at the point where it deviates. 

Myth: Bunions can come back after surgery

Fact: Recurrence of a surgically removed bunion is possible, but not very likely. Most patients are satisfied with their outcome after bunion surgery. Some patients have excessive motion in the foot that may predispose them to recurrence. Another possible reason for recurrence occurs when a procedure that was performed did not best suit the severity of the particular bunion — so it’s important to have the surgery tailored for your particular bunion.

Myth: Recovery from bunion surgery takes a long time

Fact: Depending on the type of bunionectomy performed and the severity of the bunion, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to heal mend after bunion surgery. Age and overall health of the patient can also impact recovery time.

Myth: Bunion surgery leaves unsightly scars

Fact: With any surgery, there is the risk that a surgical incision will leave a scar. Bunionectomy incisions are usually located on the top or side of the foot. A surgeon may use a plastic surgery-type closure to keep scarring to a minimum.

Are your bunions getting worse or causing you more and more pain? Make an appointment with us today to discuss your bunion treatment and get relief from bunion pain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ingrown Toenails

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Ingrown toenails are one of the most common foot conditions that people experience. While it’s not usually a very serious condition, an ingrown toenail can be very painful, uncomfortable and unsightly. If not treated properly, an ingrown toenail can cause infection and other complications. Because ingrown toenails are a concern for many of our patients, we’ve compiled practical information about ingrown toenails into a collection of answers to the most common questions about ingrown toenails. 

Can you get an ingrown toenail on any toe?

Ingrown toenails most commonly occur on the big toes, even though any toe can be affected.

What causes ingrown toenails?

When the edge of a toenail begins growing sideways into the adjacent skin, the nail may cause a break in the skin. The body’s natural immune response treats the invading toenail like a foreign body, causing inflammation. The inflammation often causes more thickening of the nail skin; the protruding piece of nail keeps pushing into the skin, causing further injury and pain. 

When should you see a doctor for an ingrown toenail?

People with diabetes and anyone with a weakened immune system should immediately see a medical professional for an ingrown toenail. For others, ingrown toenails that are very painful, show signs of infection, or do not improve after five to ten days of at-home treatment warrant a trip to the doctor. Signs of infection include swelling, redness, throbbing, and pain or yellow or green drainage.

How can I prevent ingrown toenails?

Properly trimming your toenails and avoiding too tight or ill-fitting shoes are the two main ways to prevent ingrown toenails. Talk with your podiatrist about how to properly groom your toenails and how to select shoes that fit your feet well.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Mild ingrown toenails can be treated at home with warm foot soaks, avoiding tight or ill-fitting shoes, elevating the foot, using topical antibiotics, and gently pushing back the overgrown skin from the toenail. More serious cases of ingrown toenails with infection may be treated with oral antibiotics. Resistant or recurrent cases of ingrown toenails may be treated with a minor in-office surgical procedure to remove the nail away from surrounding skin. After the procedure, proper wound care is essential to prevent further infection while healing.

Can I just cut out my ingrown toenails at home?

A common foot health myth is that cutting a “v” in the corner of an ingrown toenail will cause the nail to grow in correctly. The fact is that cutting a “v” may actually cause a more serious and painful ingrown toenail. 

What are possible complications of ingrown toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause deeper infection in the skin and even the underlying bone, leading to a serious bone infection. Complications from ingrown toenails can be more severe for people with diabetes.

If you have more questions about ingrown toenails or if you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail that’s not getting better, make an appointment with us today. We can help you ease the pain and discomfort of ingrown toenails.

Common Foot Problems for Athletes

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There’s no one ‘athletic type’. Take football players and golfers, for example. Both are athletes, but each has completely different athletic needs – from training to nutrition to physical demands – based on their respective sports. But there is one thing that almost every athlete shares in common, regardless of their sport: foot problems. At some point in his or her athletic life, almost every athlete will experience a foot injury or issue that can significantly affect performance both during and outside of their sport.

Here are some of the most common foot problems or foot injuries in athletes or highly active people. 

Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is caused by a type of fungus, and is so named because athletes are more likely than most to be exposed to the fungus. The athlete’s foot fungus (which is also responsible for ringworm and jock itch) thrives in warm, humid environments like sweaty, damp athletic socks and shoes. Since athlete’s foot is highly contagious, it can easily be spread in places that athletes frequently come in contact with, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools and shared baths and showers.

Plantar Fasciitis

Located at the back of the heel, the plantar fascia often causes pain for athletes. Plantar fasciitis is the result of inflammation caused by tiny tears in the plantar fascia due to overuse from frequent or intense physical activity. Athletes who over-pronate or active individuals who wear flexible, minimalist shoes that don’t adequately support the foot muscles may also experience heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. Heel pain and tenderness is usually felt first thing in the morning and after periods of activity.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures are tiny, hairline breaks that occur in the bones of the foot. A stress fracture is usually the result of: overtraining or overuse, improper training habits or surfaces, improper shoes, flatfoot or other foot deformities, and even osteoporosis. If left untreated, these tiny breaks in the bones of the feet can lead to a more serious fracture.

Turf toe

Turf toe is a condition that many athletes experience. It’s caused by repeated hyperextension of the big toe joint. This is often seen in athletes who wear light, flexible or minimalist shoes or whose sport requires movements that cause repeated, forced hyperextension of the big toe (e.g., football players). Turf toe causes pain and tenderness at the big toe joint, pain during pushing off, and pain with passive movement of the big toe joint. Taping, switching to a stiff-soled shoe or using turf toe inserts to help limit the motion of the big toe and provide extra support is recommended.

Preventing athletic foot injuries and problems starts with you, the athlete. Make sure you always remember to:

  • Wear supportive shoes.
  • Warm-up before and cool-down after athletic activity.
  • Get medical attention for a foot injury.

If you’re an athlete or an active individual, keeping your feet healthy is critical for the continued enjoyment of your lifestyle. Schedule your next foot checkup with us today, and make sure your feet are in tip-top shape.