For a quarter-century, Catherine Ange has worked as a seller of high-end furniture at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. Before computers became a mainstay of the job, a typical day could find Ange bending down, standing on tiptoe or moving furniture across 22,000 square feet of showroom space — all while wearing shoes with a 3- to 4-inch heel.
“I thought, ‘I feel so good in these heels. I can sell anything. I am invincible,’ ” said Ange, 47, of Buckhead. Her feet, unfortunately, were not so resilient.
By the time she reached her 30s, Ange was feeling the pain — a sharp, stabbing pain in the ball of her foot. She tried alternating heels and flats, but soon even flats were uncomfortable. She went to a doctor for injections of anti-inflammatories. Eventually, the only thing left to treat her Morton’s neuroma — a condition that causes thickening and pain in the nerves between the toes — was surgery.
After four surgeries in three years, heels are a thing of the past. “It is no laughing matter when you can no longer wear your Chanel pumps,” said Ange, who mostly wears custom orthotic inserts in her boots or sturdy tennis shoes.
The kind of debilitating foot pain that Ange experiences is a common problem for high heel wearers, particularly women who have been wearing heels for many years.
About 25 percent of women older than 40 have severe foot problems related to shoe choice, said Katy Bowman, a biomechanics expert and author of “Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief: The New Science of Healthy Feet” (BenBella Books, $17). The problems can range from short-term issues such as blisters and calluses to long-term structural damage to the feet or body, such as shortening of the calf muscles.
“There are a lot of people trying to work themselves out of foot pain,” said Bowman, whose book helps women understand the mechanics of the foot and explains how to transition from heels to more sensible shoes.
“We know barefoot is natural, but you can’t just take off your shoes and start running,” she said.
Bowman’s advice includes exercises to help ward off foot troubles — at least for a while, because some women seem unable to resist the lure of high heels.
“No matter what I say, they are going to [wear heels],” said Dr. Jay Spector, of Northside Podiatry, who advises wearing no more than a 2-inch heel ... ever. Serious foot pain related to high heels can develop in as little as one night or a few weeks, he said. If you must wear high heels, Spector said, wearing them for shorter periods of time, then switching to a shoe with a lower heel can help.
Margaret Lisi of Midtown, a marketing manager who’s in her mid-40s, learned just how quickly heels can hurt when a pair of new gray pumps did a number on her feet.
“I felt like my feet had been cut open,” said Lisi, describing the pain. “I walked out of my building to go home and didn’t even make it across the street. I took the shoes off and tiptoed all the way to my car.”
The next day, Lisi shoved her scarred feet into a pair of boots. “[My feet] were like little loaves of bread rising in the warm environment of my cowboy boots,” Lisi said.
Women may take such isolated experiences lightly, but anyone who consistently wears heels can experience more severe problems over time, said Dr. Jason Morris, of Primera Podiatry, a new practice opening in February that offers advanced podiatry services such as a laser center and medical foot spa.
“The most common problem for patients who wear high heels daily or more than two to three times per week is thinning of the fat pad at the ball of the foot,” Morris said.
The abnormal positioning of the foot in high heels creates pressure on the ball of the foot, which thins the protective layer of fat and leads to a painful condition called metatarsalgia, he said.
Morris uses a new treatment — an injection of the filler Sculptra — to replace the fat pad and plump the area. The treatment can last 12 to 18 months, he said.
Morris also has treated heel wearers for stress fractures and another problem, bunions, which are caused by weakening of ligaments that hold the foot bones together. Bunions are genetic, but wearing heels can speed their development, Morris said.
Bunion surgery landed Michele Caplinger, senior executive director of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy, in the operating room just over a year ago. After more than 20 years wearing 3-inch heels on a regular basis, Caplinger had developed painful bunions on both feet.
“The pain was gradual, but I would literally end up in tears an hour into wearing a pair of heels,” Caplinger said. “In my line of work, I have many events, and I have to dress up, so I was constantly in pain.”
She went to foot doctors at least once a year and all recommended surgery, but Caplinger was terrified. When Caplinger met Dr. Perry Julien, the pain had become unbearable. She consented to surgery and has since been pain free.
The experience made Caplinger more thoughtful about her footwear choices but not quite ready to leave heels behind. “I am back in heels,” she said. “I do find myself in better-made, more reasonable shoes. That is an easy choice to make when vanity is not a priority.”
Showing posts with label ingrown nail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ingrown nail. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday, September 23, 2011
What Your Nails Say About You
Toenail and fingernail disorders may signal problems that reach far beyond your fingers and toes. Nail abnormalities often indicate an underlying medical condition or a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Warning signs to look out for include yellow nail discoloration, nail splitting, nail cracking, black fingernails, ridges on nails, and white spots on fingernails. So even if you skip regular manicures and pedicures pay close attention to your nails and discuss any toenail or fingernail changes or disorders with your doctor.
Nail Splitting and Nail Cracking: Split nails or cracked nails can be problematic all on their own, but they can also be fingernail disorders that signal another health problem. Nail splitting and nail cracking can be due to a thyroid condition (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) or psoriasis. If you find that your nails are brittle or split or crack easily and often, talk to your doctor about health conditions that may be responsible.
Soft or Brittle Nails: Fingernails that are soft to the touch or flake apart easily are commonly caused by a lack of the protein keratin. Keratin deficiency often results from crash dieting or some other sudden dietary changes. A protein-rich diet can reverse the damage, as can taking a daily supplement of biotin, a B vitamin. Other causes of soft or brittle nails include chemicals in products used as part of a manicure or pedicure (such as acetone and methyl acrylate), and health conditions, including Crohn’s disease and anemia.
Ingrown Nails: When nails grow into the skin instead of straight, an ingrown nail occurs. This painful toenail and fingernail disorder is most often caused by an injury to the nail — someone steps on your foot or you stub your toe — or from wearing shoes that don't fit properly. But nail disorders such as a nail fungus can also trigger an ingrown nail. Ask your doctor if you can attempt to treat an ingrown nail yourself; a severely ingrown nail may require antibiotics to prevent an infection or minor surgery to remove some or the entire ingrown nail.
Nail Fungus and Yellow Nails: Nails that crumble and break, turn yellow, or begin to smell may signal a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis, which can affect fingers or toes. You may have picked up the toenail fungus in a public pool or locker room — any place that's moist and warm. Have your nails inspected by a doctor who can confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment, either with an anti-fungal cream or a course of oral antifungal medication. Frequent fungal infections may indicate a weakened immune system, a health problem like diabetes, or poor circulation. To prevent toenail fungus, keep your feet clean and dry, and wear shoes or sandals in public places.
Black Lines in Nails: A black line or streak that appears in a nail is often from some type of injury. But if you don't remember accidentally whacking your index finger or stubbing your toe on a table leg, start looking elsewhere for an explanation. These black lines could be warning signs of melanoma, an extremely dangerous type of skin cancer, so you should see a doctor to have them checked out.
Blood under Nails: You can accumulate blood under a nail when the nail has been injured — hit against something, crushed, pinched, or otherwise traumatized. The nail may look black due to the blood that pools beneath it, and the nail may eventually fall off. Sometimes, to alleviate pain and pressure, it’s necessary for a doctor to puncture a small hole in the nail to allow the blood to drain. Splinter-like streaks of red may be caused by an injury, but they could possibly indicate an infection of a heart valve, which showers the bloodstream with debris that causes the marks to appear. If you see streaks of red in your nails when you haven't injured them, ask your doctor about it.
Ridges on Nails: Ridges on nails can be more than unsightly — they may indicate a nutritional deficiency. Ridges on nails can be a sign of malnourishment or a specific deficiency in iron, in which case you may also have depressed areas on the nail. Horizontal ridges on nails can also result from arsenic poisoning. See a doctor for evaluation if you notice ridges forming on your nails.
White Spots on Fingernails: White spots on fingernails are generally of no concern. They usually occur as a result of a minor injury to the nail that you may not even remember. Over time, they grow out and are clipped or filed off. But if you frequently see white spots on your fingernails and find that they don't go away, you may have an infection that requires medical attention.
Nail Splitting and Nail Cracking: Split nails or cracked nails can be problematic all on their own, but they can also be fingernail disorders that signal another health problem. Nail splitting and nail cracking can be due to a thyroid condition (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) or psoriasis. If you find that your nails are brittle or split or crack easily and often, talk to your doctor about health conditions that may be responsible.
Soft or Brittle Nails: Fingernails that are soft to the touch or flake apart easily are commonly caused by a lack of the protein keratin. Keratin deficiency often results from crash dieting or some other sudden dietary changes. A protein-rich diet can reverse the damage, as can taking a daily supplement of biotin, a B vitamin. Other causes of soft or brittle nails include chemicals in products used as part of a manicure or pedicure (such as acetone and methyl acrylate), and health conditions, including Crohn’s disease and anemia.
Ingrown Nails: When nails grow into the skin instead of straight, an ingrown nail occurs. This painful toenail and fingernail disorder is most often caused by an injury to the nail — someone steps on your foot or you stub your toe — or from wearing shoes that don't fit properly. But nail disorders such as a nail fungus can also trigger an ingrown nail. Ask your doctor if you can attempt to treat an ingrown nail yourself; a severely ingrown nail may require antibiotics to prevent an infection or minor surgery to remove some or the entire ingrown nail.
Nail Fungus and Yellow Nails: Nails that crumble and break, turn yellow, or begin to smell may signal a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis, which can affect fingers or toes. You may have picked up the toenail fungus in a public pool or locker room — any place that's moist and warm. Have your nails inspected by a doctor who can confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment, either with an anti-fungal cream or a course of oral antifungal medication. Frequent fungal infections may indicate a weakened immune system, a health problem like diabetes, or poor circulation. To prevent toenail fungus, keep your feet clean and dry, and wear shoes or sandals in public places.
Black Lines in Nails: A black line or streak that appears in a nail is often from some type of injury. But if you don't remember accidentally whacking your index finger or stubbing your toe on a table leg, start looking elsewhere for an explanation. These black lines could be warning signs of melanoma, an extremely dangerous type of skin cancer, so you should see a doctor to have them checked out.
Blood under Nails: You can accumulate blood under a nail when the nail has been injured — hit against something, crushed, pinched, or otherwise traumatized. The nail may look black due to the blood that pools beneath it, and the nail may eventually fall off. Sometimes, to alleviate pain and pressure, it’s necessary for a doctor to puncture a small hole in the nail to allow the blood to drain. Splinter-like streaks of red may be caused by an injury, but they could possibly indicate an infection of a heart valve, which showers the bloodstream with debris that causes the marks to appear. If you see streaks of red in your nails when you haven't injured them, ask your doctor about it.
Ridges on Nails: Ridges on nails can be more than unsightly — they may indicate a nutritional deficiency. Ridges on nails can be a sign of malnourishment or a specific deficiency in iron, in which case you may also have depressed areas on the nail. Horizontal ridges on nails can also result from arsenic poisoning. See a doctor for evaluation if you notice ridges forming on your nails.
White Spots on Fingernails: White spots on fingernails are generally of no concern. They usually occur as a result of a minor injury to the nail that you may not even remember. Over time, they grow out and are clipped or filed off. But if you frequently see white spots on your fingernails and find that they don't go away, you may have an infection that requires medical attention.
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