As footwear is the usual perpetrator in exacerbating calluses and corns on feet, the winter footwear makes our feet take a turn for the worse. Calluses and corns are hardened areas of skin that develop when we put too much pressure on them. When this occurs on the feet, they usually get worse because we are always standing on them and give them little room for rest. For people that are especially active, this can be painful to deal with.
Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves outside of the brain become damaged. Peripheral neuropathy causes weakness, loss of sensation or numbness and pain most commonly in the hands and feet. There are several causes of neuropathy, including infection, injury, inherited conditions, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
When it comes to accessing the care in our clinics, a common question is whether the province’s health plan will cover the cost. Programs such as OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), HIBC (Health Insurance British Columbia), Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) and MSI (Medical Services Insurance) typically do not cover the items or services offered at BioPed for your foot health.
Psoriasis is a condition that causes dry red/white/silver patches on skin that usually feel itchy and irritated. These patches are referred to as plaques and are found most on the knees, elbows, and bottoms of the feet, but they can occur anywhere on the body.
Our feet carry us around day-to-day and are therefore exposed to small and large objects alike. Stepping on something sharp like glass, can pose a serious risk to your health and wellbeing. Depending on the size of the glass shard and how deeply it has embedded itself into the skin and underlying tissues, the injury could be a minor or major issue.
Fungal toenails, also known as onychomycosis, are a common yet stubborn condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Any fungal foot infection proliferates in hot, moist environments. Toenail fungus occurs when fungi, particularly dermatophytes, invade the nail bed, causing discoloration, thickening, and brittleness. The condition can be challenging to treat due to the fungus residing beneath the toenail, making it harder for medications to reach the source of the infection. If you're struggling with fungal toenails, understanding the causes, symptoms, and the most effective treatment for toe fungus is key to restoring healthy nails.
When we walk, our feet must move and adapt in certain ways to lessen the risk for injury, pain and discomfort. To prepare for contacting ground, the foot arch must be higher or more supinated, making the foot a rigid lever for heel strike. As the body progresses through the gait cycle, the arch flattens slightly or pronates to adapt to uneven terrain and absorb shock from the ground.
Patients with diabetes frequently develop an intermittent or permanent loss of sensation (neuropathy) in their feet. Without the warning of discomfort or pain, pressures developed from poorly fitting footwear, particularly on the soles of the "diabetic foot" can result in an open ulcer
Have you ever taken your shoes off and been accosted by an offensive and pungent odour? Sweaty feet can lead to smelly feet, which can cause embarrassment and social awkwardness!
Our feet have over 250,000 sweat glands and on average, they perspire the equivalent of one cup of sweat per day. This moisture builds up, creating a breeding ground for microorganisms. In turn, these microorganisms, most commonly bacteria and fungi, consume dead skin cells, leading to waste production and resultant shoe odour. Odour can also be caused by components of our sweat.
Ankle sprains are common and painful injuries to ligaments that connect the foot to the shin and can happen to people of all ages and activity levels. While some sports can increase your chance of injury, many people experience an ankle sprain from slipping off of a curb along the sidewalk or missing a step on the stairs in their home.
