Complete Lower Extremity Healthcare

140 Traders Way
Pooler, GA   31322

(912) 330 - 8885

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By The Foot & Ankle Center, PC
May 21, 2018
Category: skin cancer
Tags: Skin Cancer  

May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month and here at The Foot & Ankle Center, PC we would like to take this opportunity to share some information about skin cancer and your feet. Although it may seem obvious, many people don’t think about the fact that the skin on your feet is just as much at risk from the harmful rays of the sun as the skin on the rest of your body. Did you know that almost 50% of people who live to be 65 will have skin cancer at least once in their life? Skin cancer is considered a “lifestyle disease,” and that means that it is highly preventable. Approximately 86% of melanomas and 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are connected with ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Below are 5 tips for preventing skin cancer on your feet:

  1. Be generous with sunscreen—a good, broad-spectrum, water-resistant (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is your best defense against cancer-causing sun exposure when spending extended time outside. Apply 30 minutes before going out and be sure to reapply every two hours. Water reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen so reapply after swimming or if you sweat excessively.
  2. Cover up—remember that it’s not just beach and pool days that leave your feet exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. If you are spending time outside shopping, sightseeing or al fresco dining you should keep feet covered or, if wearing sandals or other open style shoes, you should put on sunscreen on your feet.
  3. When in doubt, check it out—often skin cancer on the feet isn’t detected until it’s at an advanced stage because people don’t think to check their feet for suspicious moles and freckles. Get in the habit of examining your feet monthly and don’t forget to look between your toes. If you notice changes in a spot on your foot or have questions about something you’ve found, let our podiatrist, Dr. Leonard M. Talarico take a look. Contact our Pooler, GA office for an appointment by calling: (912) 330 – 8885.
  4. Don’t use tanning beds—the UV radiation from indoor tanning machines has been reported to increase the likelihood of developing deadly melanomas by nearly 75%.
  5. Time it right—if you have a choice, plan outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to avoid skin exposure when UV rays are at their strongest.
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By The Foot & Ankle Center, PC
May 09, 2018
Category: Foot Care Tips

Getting a professional pedicure is a treat many of our patients at The Foot & Ankle Center, PC enjoy. The risk for foot and toenail infections, however, can be great if the proper precautions are not taken. Athlete’s foot, fungal toenails, and other bacterial and viral infections are spread by direct contact. Take the following steps to protect your feet and nails at the salon:

  • Check that the salon you are using is licensed by the state cosmetology board or health department. A certificate showing that the salon has met the appropriate standards should be prominently displayed.
  • Be sure proper sanitation procedures are being used on clippers, cuticle trimmers, and other tools used on your feet. Tools should be taken from a sanitizing machine or liquid or individually wrapped. Better yet, bring your own tools.
  • Don’t shave your legs for 24 hours before getting a salon pedicure. Tiny, microscopic cuts in the skin caused by shaving can provide an entry point for bacteria and allow an infection to develop.
  • Don’t walk barefoot in the salon. Bring your own flip flops and wear them when walking to and from the pedicure chair.
  • Be sure whirlpool baths are washed thoroughly between clients or that a disposable, plastic insert is used and replaced after each customer.
  • Don’t allow the staff to use a razor on your foot to remove calluses. It’s best to have cuticles gently pushed back and not cut as well.
  • Check the overall condition of the salon. Is the floor swept? Is the bathroom clean? Are towels or seats stained? Are the hands and nails of the cosmetologists clean? If you have a sense that salon is not up to par in the cleanliness department, go someplace else for your pedicure.

Learn to recognize the signs of fungal and bacterial foot infections. Red, itchy, rashes on the skin and nails that are discolored, chipping away or thickening are signs that you need to make an appointment at our Pooler, Georgia office (912-330–8885) so that our podiatrist, Dr. Leonard M. Talarico, can take a look and prescribe the proper treatment if you do have an infection.

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By The Foot & Ankle Center, PC
May 02, 2018
Category: Joint Health
Tags: Arthritis  

Did you know that arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in our country? At The Foot & Ankle Center, PC, we see many patients suffering from pain and stiffness in the joints of their ankles, feet, and toes. The good news is that there are many ways you can help reduce symptoms of arthritis. Below are 6 simple tips to try:

  1. Lose the high heels. A 3-inch heel stresses your foot 7 times more than a 1-inch heel. Do the math and you’ll see it’s not worth the extra heel height! High heels also strain your knees and may increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in them down the road.
  2. Stretch it out. A simple way to keep joints flexible and improve range of motion is by stretching. Try a tai chi or Pilates class. Take breaks through the day to flex your feet and do ankle circles.
  3. Create a colorful plate. Adding a rainbow variety of vegetables and fruits to your meals will ensure you get the variety of nutrients your joints and bones need to be healthy. Many brightly colored vegetables like carotenoids (peppers, carrots) actually contain components known to reduce the inflammatory response in the body.
  4. Take a dive. Swimming and aquatic exercise programs are an excellent way to get aerobic exercise without putting stress on your joints.
  5. Broil, don’t fry. Fried foods are known to trigger inflammation. They also contain more fat and calories which could lead to weight gain and more strain on your feet.
  6. Have an orange break. Whether you choose juice or whole fruit, oranges are high in Vitamin C and other antioxidants which studies have shown can reduce your risk of osteoarthritis.

Joint disease can be complex. There are many different kinds of arthritis and sometimes joint pain, swelling and stiffness can be caused by a completely different disorder. That’s why it’s important to make an appointment at our Pooler, GA office if you are experiencing any joint discomfort in your feet. Our podiatrist, Dr. Leonard M. Talarico, will examine your feet and perform the necessary tests to make a definitive diagnosis. Contact us today at (912) 330 – 8885.

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By The Foot & Ankle Center, PC
April 25, 2018
Category: Foot Care

A sensitive subject that can be difficult for patients to discuss is alcohol abuse and addiction. At The Foot & Ankle Center, PC we have extra concerns about this particular issue because it can pose a serious medical threat to your feet and lower extremities.

What’s the Connection?

One of the unfortunate consequences of chronic alcohol abuse is alcoholic neuropathy. The ethanol in alcohol damages the nerve tissue in the body. This can be compounded by poor nutrition, another condition frequently associated with alcoholism. The result is pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation in your feet. This damage can become permanent if left untreated. Loss of feeling in your feet makes it difficult to detect wounds and injuries. These can become infected and difficult to heal, especially if there are any issues with circulation.

Treatment

There are several treatment options available that can help relieve uncomfortable symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy and even help restore sensation and heal nerve damage. The first step, however, is treating the alcoholism. We urge any patients who are struggling with this disease to feel confident in talking to our podiatrist, Dr. Leonard M. Talarico, about this problem. Our foot doctor will keep all information confidential and can direct you to resources and the help you need to overcome the addiction.

Taking Safe Steps

To best ensure that no harm comes to your feet from the neuropathy, it’s suggested that you follow these precautions:

  • Don’t go barefoot. Even when you are walking around in your own home it’s best to wear shoes. Sharp objects such as thumbtacks or straight pins can cause a wound that you may not even feel and lead to a serious infection. Injuries are also more likely to occur such as stubbing your toe on a piece of furniture. In addition, keeping feet covered will prevent them from coming in contact with bacterial and fungal infections which can also lead to open sores on your feet.
  • Test water temperature with your hand or elbow or ask someone else to check it for you. Also, avoid using electric blankets or space heaters near your feet—you may not be able to gauge how hot they are and end up burning your feet.
  • Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to make sure there are no rough patches or loose stitching that can cause blisters.
  • Get in the habit of inspecting your feet on a daily basis. If you spot cuts, redness, swelling, or other unusual symptoms, contact our Pooler, Georgia office immediately by calling: (912) 330 – 8885.
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By The Foot & Ankle Center, PC
April 18, 2018
Category: Foot Care Tips

April is Foot Health Awareness Month and we at The Foot & Ankle Center, PC want to let our patients know that healthy feet don’t happen by accident. There are many ways to be proactive about the care of your feet that are not difficult or time-consuming. Below are some simple steps you can take to ensure that your feet and ankles remain in tip-top condition:

  1. Get in the habit of examining your feet on a regular basis. Look for changes in color or temperature. Pay attention to peeling or cracking skin, blisters, or changes in toenails such as thickening or discoloration as these could all be signs of a fungal infection. Monitor moles for differences in appearance and note any growths on your feet or deformities developing in toes. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can greatly reduce the severity of foot problems.
  2. Clean your feet every day with soap and water and dry completely, paying particular attention to the space between your toes.
  3. Keep nails trimmed straight across, not too short and with no cut or curved corners which can lead to ingrown toenails.
  4. If you have diabetes, leave all care of nails and feet that require cutting to a professional to limit the risk of wounds. Schedule regular checkups with the podiatrist to monitor your condition.
  5. Buy shoes that are the right size (get professionally measured) and that are no higher than 2 inches in the heel. Be sure the toe box is not too narrow. Squeezing toes together can cause bunions, hammertoes, and other deformities to develop.
  6. Wear the right shoe for the activity you are doing. Sports shoes are designed for the movement a particular sport requires of your feet and ankles.
  7. Avoid going barefoot, even at home. This will reduce the risk of injury and puncture wounds.
  8. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet when at the beach or pool or even when you are wearing open shoes and will be outside for long hours at a time.
  9. Alternate your shoes.
  10. If you are experiencing any foot pain or discomfort, contact our Pooler, Georgia office as soon as possible by calling: (912) 330–8885 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Leonard M. Talarico, can examine and treat your foot ailment promptly. Foot pain is never normal and should not be ignored.
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140 Traders Way
Pooler, GA 31322

Podiatrist / Foot Surgeon - Pooler / Savannah • Leonard M. Talarico, DPM • 140 Traders Way • Pooler GA  31322 • 912-330-8885