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3 Ways to Take Care of Your Feet In the New Year

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Are you taking good care of your feet? You should be! Taking good care of your feet helps ensure that walking around is as comfortable as possible. There are many small things you can do to take care of your feet. Below are a few things you can do to help ensure that your feet stay healthy in the new year.

1. Wear Shoes that Fit Right

Wearing shoes that don’t quite fit can lead to problems like blisters, infections and ankle injuries in Austin, TX. It’s important to wear shoes that fit right. There are many ways to tell if a shoe fits correctly, and many shoe stores will offer a professional fitting to tell you which size is right for your feet.

As a general rule, if you can slide one finger between your heel and the heel of your shoe, and the fit is snug but not too tight, then the shoe probably fits your feet well. If your feet rub the sides in a way that is painful, you may need extra wide shoes.

2. Wear Clean, Dry Socks

Socks help wick away moisture from your feet and shoes. If your socks are too moist, this can cause fungus growth in your shoes. Change your socks every day, and wear clean, dry socks.

3. Moisturize Your Feet At Night

Feet can develop a layer of rough, dry skin that can crack. To avoid this problem, moisturize your feet at night.

Are you experiencing foot pain? See the foot doctor in Austin, TX. At Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, we can help you take care of your feet. If you’re experiencing foot pain, call today to make an appointment.

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When to Worry About Cracked Heels

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Cracked heels (also known as fissures) are usually caused by dry skin, which is typically not a cause for concern. However, there are times when heel fissures should prompt more than just a better moisturizer. If you’re looking for a podiatrist in Pflugerville or Austin, TX, we’ll tell you more about when it’s really time to call a professional.

What Are Cracked Heels?

Thankfully, fissures are hard to miss because they present as deep grooves in the heel. They’re not just hard to look at, they can actually rip your socks and stockings or wear down your shoes faster than need be. Typically, athletes like runners, walkers, and swimmers are more prone to cracked heels.

When Should You Take Notice?

There are a few major signs that your cracked heels have gone too far:

  • Pain/bleeding: If the cracks are extremely deep, they can begin to bleed. Even if they don’t, you may experience pain in the heel while walking.
  • Infection: Any cut on the body can open up your chances for infection. If your heels are starting to bleed, it’s important to keep the cut covered to avoid an unnecessary infection.
  • Athlete’s foot/plantar warts: Fungus and viruses have a way of working their way into even the smallest cracks on the heel (whether they bleed or not).

How to Treat Cracked Heels in Pflugerville or Austin, TX

If you have  heel fissures in Austin or Pflugerville , TX you might be able to get away with soaking, exfoliating, and applying an extra-strength moisturizer. You might even consider adding more Omega-3 fatty acids or zinc to your diet. However, if the heels are starting to look more than just dry or you have another condition like diabetes, the office of Jeffrey LaMour DPM can help treat cracked heels so you can get back to normal.

 

4 Tips for Choosing a Podiatrist

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When you need a foot doctor in Austin, TX, it’s important to find a professional you can trust, afford, and who provides the kind of services you need. There are many things you can do to find the right foot doctor for you. Below are four suggestions for finding a professional that can help you with your foot trouble, whatever it may be.

1. Get Referrals from Family Members

Do you know anyone who has recently been to a foot doctor? Find out from them whether they had a positive experience with that doctor. Ask them questions such as:

  • When did you visit this doctor?
  • Did the doctor treat you? Was it a good experience?
  • Would you return to this doctor? Would you recommend this doctor to others?

If the answers to these questions sound encouraging, find out that doctor’s name, and give that professional a call.

2. Be Sure They Accept Your Insurance

Healthcare can be costly, but insurance can defray those costs. Before seeking foot care services in Austin, TX, find out if the doctor that you’re considering will accept your health insurance. You can do this by calling the doctor’s office and inquiring with the phone staff.

3. Check Out Their Website

Many foot doctors will have a website where you can see which services they offer. Investigating the foot doctor’s website is an easy way to find out whether the doctor you’re considering will be able to provide you with the services you need.

4. Assess Their Customer Service

Before making an appointment with a doctor, assess their level of customer service by calling their office. While inquiring about available appointments, use this time to find out how polite and efficient the phone staff is. Do they answer your questions quickly and politely? Is it easy to make an appointment? If the answers to these questions aren’t yes, keep looking for a foot doctor.

Trying to find a dependable foot doctor in Austin, TX? Call Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA.

Bunions: An FAQ

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Bunions are a common foot problem that many people experience, and yet many people have questions about what bunions are, and how they’re treated. It’s normal to have questions about bunions in Austin TX.

In this FAQ, we’ll explore answers to these questions. If you think you may have bunions, we hope this FAQ can help! For more information about bunions and how they work, call Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA.

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a bump on the base of the big toe, at the joint. The bump forms when certain bones in the foot move out of place, causing the end of the big toe to point inward and the joint to point outward. Bunions can be painful.

What causes bunions?

Many things can cause bunions including poor footwear, foot deformities and certain foot injuries.

Can bunions be treated?

Bunions can be treated surgically if needed, or they can be treated with non-surgical treatments such as ice, special footwear, padding and shoe footwear. Your foot doctor can help you determine what kind of treatment is best for your bunions. For quick relief, see a foot doctor as soon as you’ve noticed the bunion.

How can you tell it’s a bunion?

Most people can tell when they have a bunion simply by looking at it. However, if you’re feeling uncertain, you can check with a foot doctor for confirmation. Your foot doctor can diagnose the condition and make recommendations for treatment.

How are bunions treated?

Do you need bunion treatment? Contact your foot doctor in Austin TX. Call Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA today to make an appointment and find out more about getting your bunions cared for.