Diseases Directory. Your ultimate guide to common health conditions know the causes, symptoms, treatment and other information you need to know about diseases. Pitted Nails. Nails marked by a multitude of small pits are actually an early warning sign of Psoriasis, an inflammatory disease which eventually causes the. How to Give Yourself a Manicure with Pictures2. Set up your workspace. Nail polish and remover can damage many surfaces such as cloth, wood finish and plastic. Wear an expendable t shirt and no valuable accessories, sit at a desk or table, and protect it with scrap paper not newsprint, which smudges. Make sure the table itself and anything near it is not particularly valuable or important to keep perfect because there might be a spatter or spill soaking through. You might not want to work near a computer, for instance. Toenails-Coming-Off-Infections.png' alt='What Causes Nails To Crack On The Sides' title='What Causes Nails To Crack On The Sides' />Fingernails and disease dont go together in most minds but they should. Ridges in Fingernails can give you valuable health warnings and signal. CRACKED FOOT PADS IN DOGS There are several known causes of cracked foot pads and unfortunately unknown reasons of this disorder. If a dog chews its paws, it may be. Top Causes of Foot Pain and Options for Treatment. By Dr. Mercola. The feet are a very common source of pain, with 8 in 1. Americans experiencing some form of problem with their feet. One in 4 says theyre unable to exercise due to foot pain. This isnt so surprising when you consider that 2. With 2. 6 bones and 3. Certain footwear, including flip flops, and tight fitting or high heeled shoes may also damage your foot structure and aggravate the situation. Moreover, few people pay attention to exercising their feet, and without proper muscle strength in your feet, your body may become imbalanced, which can lead to pain in other areas. Simple foot exercises can make a big difference for problems such as bunions and hammertoes. Other common foot problems include plantar fasciitis heel pain, ingrown toenails, and fungal infections, and in these instances other remedies are warranted. In this article, Ill review several common foot problems that cause pain and discomfort, with recommendations for simple and inexpensive treatments. Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis inflammation in the ligament that runs along the sole of your foot is one of the most common chronic injuries in runners. The ligament attaches to the bottom of your heel bone, which is why the pain is often felt in your heel. The cause can be traced to excessive stress placed on the heel bone and soft tissues, causing inflammation. Improper footwear is typically part of the problem, and research. Michael Warburton, a physical therapist in Australia, found that running barefoot decreases the likelihood of plantar fasciitis. Treatments typically focus on relieving tension on the heel and lowering inflammation. While cortisone and anti inflammatory drugs are typically prescribed, I would suggest trying non drug alternatives first. For starters, youll want to make sure youre on an anti inflammatory diet high in healthy fats and low in sugars and non vegetable carbohydrates. There are also plenty of anti inflammatory foods that may do the job in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. This includes Herbs and spices such as cloves, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric Animal based omega 3 fat, such as krill oil. Fermented vegetables and traditionally cultured foods, which quell inflammation by reseeding your gut with beneficial bacteria that help optimize your immune function Shiitake mushrooms also contain strong compounds with the natural ability to discourage inflammation, such as Ergothioneine, which inhibits oxidative stress. Exercises for Plantar Fasciitis. Foot and calf stretches can be helpful. The video above demonstrates a program consisting of five exercises to address plantar fascia pain Wall stretch, to stretch and elongate your calf muscles. Tennis ball massage, to stretch your plantar fascia. Pick up a sock or towel with your toes, to tone your plantar fascia. Seated calf stretch. Belt stretch Surgery is not recommended for plantar fasciitis anymore. As previously noted by Dr. John E. Mancuso, doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 2For the past 1. Manhattan Podiatry has been using a non surgical therapy called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy ESWT for patients who did not respond to conservative treatments. ESWT uses high intensity sound waves to heal the injured plantar fascia. In our practice, this innovative treatment has reduced the need for invasive surgical treatments by approximately 9. Bunions are an inherited condition in which your metatarsal bones are displaced, causing your big toe to lean toward your other toes, thereby producing that hallmark bump at the base of your big toe. This projection causes your foot to widen, and tight, narrow, high heeled, and pointy toed shoes can easily aggravate the condition. While surgery is part of the conventional treatment arsenal, I advise against it, as it doesnt really address the underlying cause, and may require weeks or even months of painful recovery. As with plantar fasciitis, part of the long term answer is to go barefoot more often. Bunions are virtually non existent in barefoot populations of the world. Granted, from a practical perspective, going barefoot all the time is not an option for most people. But you can certainly do so inside of your home or backyard. If you decide to go barefoot, do it slowly, progressing to more and more time spent without shoes. Also, when you start going barefoot it is best to initiate on naturally softer ground like grass and sand, not cement or hardwood. You can also address bunions with specific foot exercises. Altium Designer 13 Free Download Full Version. In the video above, Daniel Fitzpatrick of Alternative Foot Solutions in Sydney, Australia, reviews 2 daily exercises that can help strengthen the muscles around the bunion, thereby helping to correct the displacement of your big toe Heel raises. Lift your heels of the way up and hold for three seconds. Lower back down. Do 1. This exercise strengthens your medial arch muscles, which helps pull the metatarsal bones into place, correcting the position of your big toe. Toe crunches. Stand with feet hip width apart. Rotate your ankles outward, so the weight is on the outside of your foot. Then scrunch your toes together, as if youre making a fist with your foot. Hold for three seconds, then release. Do 1. 0 reps once a day. Hammertoe is a bending of either one or both joints affecting the second, third, fourth, or little toe, and is the result of years of compensation from the intrinsic small foot muscles. Ill fitting shoes can contribute to the problem, but in some cases it can also be a hereditary condition. Once a hammertoe develops, the high point of the knuckle becomes prone to shoe pressure, which can lead to pain, inflammation, and the formation of hard corns and calluses. Over time, the toe or toes tend to lose flexibility. As with bunions, foot exercises can be helpful, with a focus on stretching and increasing mobility. This includes the following exercises, demonstrated in the video above Toe extensions. This is best done with assistance. Your helper will grasp your foot with both hands, and gently flex your toes toward the sole of your foot to stretch the extensor tendons at the top of your foot. Plantar flexion. Similar to the toe extension, the toes are flexed so that the knuckles at the top of the foot are clearly seen. Your helper can augment the stretch by placing a thumb into the metatarsal arch, gently pushing up, while gently flexing your toes down. Hold the stretch for 2. Toe flexion. Grasp the end of your hammertoe, and stretch it to elongate the flexor tendon. Toenail Fungus. Toenail fungus is a very common and vexing problem that can be surprisingly difficult to eradicate. The fungus typically causes thickening of the toenail that can be quite painful, along with unsightly discoloration. If left untreated, it can cause secondary infections in the surrounding tissues. Conventional treatments typically involve harsh antifungal drugs, andor laser treatments. Less expensive and certainly less toxic alternatives include the following suggestions Begin by reducing the thickness of your nail using some sort of debridement tool, to allow any topical remedy to enter into the nail. A nail file will suffice in most cases. Topical remedies that can be helpful include tea tree oil, Thieves oil an aromatherapy oil, Neem oil, or even Vicks Vapo. Rub. The latter is based on hundreds of anecdotal reports noting beneficial results.