Foot Care

Clubfoot is one of the many congenital disabilities that can happen to your baby. It is when a baby’s foot or feet point either inward or downward.

Studies show that it can affect about one in 1,000 babies born each year and it may be difficult to prevent it. It affects baby boys twice as often as baby girls.

Among the possible causes of this defect is illegal drug use, cigarette smoking, and infection during pregnancy. Studies also show that clubfoot can be due to the use of antidepressants of the pregnant mother which was wrongfully prescribed by doctors.

The treatment for clubfoot must start as early as possible in the life of the baby. The procedure involves moving of the feet in its correct position with the use of ten casts, and it can last for up to three weeks. As soon as the doctors place the foot in its right position, the baby may need to wear a brace for three months.

During the entire treatment, the doctor will monitor the condition of the baby. This also means that the parents will need some cash to treat their babies. One way to compensate the situation and pay hospital bills is through filing a case to make the doctors liable regarding their malpractice or negligence if you suspect that the clubfoot, or any other foot defect, is a result of a doctor’s failure to provide adequate care.

In this article, we will discuss the things to consider if your baby has a foot defect after birth.

Establish The Doctor-Patient Relationship​

The first thing to do is to establish that there is a ‘doctor-patient relationship’ between you and your doctor for your lawsuit to prosper. To do this, you must take note of the following:

● You can only file a case to the doctor who checked you on your pregnancy and your childbirth. You cannot submit a lawsuit to the other doctors present during your delivery which you don’t have any direct relationship with.

● Other medical professionals like psychologists, nurses, and even pharmacists can be liable for malpractice or negligence if you have given enough evidence to assume direct responsibility for your child.

Prove That Your Doctor Committed Medical Negligence Or Medical Malpractice​

Medical malpractice or negligence in civil cases happens the moment your doctor deviated from the standard of care that they are expected to take. Doctors are not required to perform their best in their job. However, they are supposed to render their best skill and give reasonable care.

You have the burden of proving the doctor is responsible for your baby’s situation. You have to go to the court and show that your doctor has committed negligence or malpractice as opposed to what a more competent professional would do in the same situation.

Proving that your doctor caused the foot defect of your baby can give you a chance to win the case and claim damages in the end.

These are some of the things to take note of to prove your doctor’s medical malpractice or negligence:

● Consult with a skillful and reliable medical expert that has experience handling various cases of pregnancy and child delivery. They will help you establish that your doctor has committed an act of negligence which caused foot defect in your baby.

● Prove that the poor health and the foot condition of your baby is due to the medicines prescribed or the childbirth procedure.

● If you experienced any complications when you are pregnant, you might have difficulty proving in the court that your doctor must be held liable for your baby’s foot defect.

​Hire A Lawyer

If you believe that you have a cause of action and you have enough evidence to prove your case, then you can now file a lawsuit in the court.

Your doctor will be invited by the court for the investigation to make him or her answer to the allegations you have against them. If proven guilty, he/she will be liable to pay for fines, damages, and the court could even suspend his/her license if the case is severe.

Consider hiring a lawyer to help you in the legal processes. Here are some of the tips how to do it:

● Hire lawyers that are experts in handling personal injury cases and have extensive experience in managing lawsuits regarding birth injuries like a foot defect. The laws each state abides by are different from one another and could sometimes be very complicated. Thus it is indeed a must to have competent legal aid.

● Select lawyers based on your budgetary requirements. You can do this by checking the official website of the law firm or paying a visit to their office to inquire.

● Lastly, choose a lawyer that gives you an opportunity to talk about your needs and makes you feel at-ease when it comes to negotiating. You must be comfortable talking with your lawyers so you can both agree upon the terms of your case.

You can also try to talk with your doctor or the hospital where your baby is born. Some medical professionals are willing to undo their mistakes or offer free operations instead of going to the court.

These are some of the tips on how can you mediate medical malpractice or negligence done by your doctor:

● Have a neutral party stand between you and your doctor or the hospital to act as a mediator and discuss regarding your case.

● Be open for negotiations but try to explain your side as well. Think win-win and always think of the things that are best for you and your baby.

You can also hire the services of a legal counsel during mediation proceedings but be sure to explain the terms you want to have.

Claim Damages​

If your baby is born with a clubfoot, you will need to spend a substantial amount of money to pay for hospitalization bills.

Take note that if your case becomes successful in the court, you can claim for compensation for the following damages:

● Present and future medical bills related to the defect incurred by the child

● Pain and suffering

● Actual costs for physical therapy

● Costs for permanent injury or disability

● Punitive damages

Seek help from a professional lawyer like the ones here if you’ve experienced complications with the birth of your baby.

Conclusion

In sum, clubfoot is a severe congenital disability which can affect the life of your baby and give pain to the family.

The causes of clubfoot are still unclear. It can be due to genes, environment, medicines used, or medical malpractice during childbirth.

If you think that your doctor is liable for your baby’s condition, then you must prove in court your cause of action and file a lawsuit.

To help you with the processes, you can hire the services of a lawyer. Choose a lawyer that you trust and that you can comfortably talk with regarding your terms.

Dianna Charles

Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring her youthful spirit in her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.

Ok, so how well do we know our foot? Not much. A human foot is made of 42 muscles, 26 bones, 33 joints, and at least 50 ligaments and tendons. Our foot’s myriad parts, including the toes, heel, and ball, work together to get us from point a to point b. However, sometimes, the stress of carrying around our weight put our feet at a high risk of developing injuries.

Since our feet take our whole weight of our body, it is imperative to take extreme good care of them. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common foot problems and the various ways in which you can treat these problems.

Read further to know the causes of various foot problems and their respective treatments.

1. Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot will inflame the skin and cause a white, scaly rash with a red base. Moreover, an athlete’s foot will also cause itching, burning, peeling, and a mild bad odour.

Causes:

Generally athlete’s foot occurs when the tinea fungus grows on the feet. It is possible to catch this fungus through a direct contact with an infected person or by coming in direct contact with contaminated surfaces. This fungus is known to thrive in moist environments such as locker room floors, shower rooms, and swimming pools.

Treatments:

Most often athlete’s foot is treated with over-the-counter topical anti-fungal medications. You may have to visit a doctor who may prescribe topical or oral anti-fungal medicines. Also, you may be recommended to try some home-based treatments in order to clear up the infection.

2. Planter Wart

Planter warts are small growths on heels or other weight-bearing areas of the feet. When the pressure is high, plantar wart may also grow inward beneath a hard and thick layer of the skin.

Causes:

Planter warts are caused due to a virus called HPV. When this virus enters your body through tiny cuts or breaks on the bottom of your feet.

Treatments:

Although most planter warts aren’t a serious health concern and usually go away with undergoing any treatment, it is better to try self-care treatments in order to have the warts removed. Talk with your doctor about freezing medicine and stronger peeling medicine. If these two medicines fail to work, then you may require a laser treatment or a minor surgery.

3. Corns

If you round circles of thickened skin on your toes or on the sole of your foot, then it could be corns. Corns can appear on the sides and top of your toes as well as between the toes. Corns are usually not painful in the beginning, but can become irritated later on.

Causes:

It is very easy to develop corns from wearing shoes that are too tight or too snug on your feet. Also, if you walk or stand for too long, due to the weight of your body and the constant friction can cause corns on the bottom of your feet.

Treatments:

If you are sure about your corn, then you can use various over-the-counter wart removal products. Ensure that an active ingredient called salicylic acid is used in these products. Also, ensure that these products are safe. It is generally advised to avoid using salicylic acid by people with diabetes.

4. Fungal Toenail Infection

Toenail fungal infection is a very common foot problem. It begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. And as the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause the nail to discolour, thicken, and crumble at the edge. You are more susceptible to developing a toenail infection if you walk through wet areas such as locker and shower rooms.

Causes:

Some of the main causes for developing a fungal toenail infection are medical conditions such as diabetes, frequent use of public spaces like a swimming pool or a locker room, or exposure to contaminated nail instruments.

Treatments:

Fungal toenail infection is difficult to treat. Treatment often depends on the severity of the condition and the type of fungus causing it. Your doctor may prescribe oral anti-fungal drugs or medicated nail polish or medicated nail cream for treating the infection. If required, your doctor might suggest a temporary or permanent nail removal.

5. Gout

Gout is a common form of arthritis that can affect anyone at any time of their lives. However, it is most commonly found in men between 40 and 50 years and in postmenopausal women. Gout happens when the body is unable to keep uric acid levels in check. In a gout attack, the toe will get warm, red, and swollen and will be painful to even a slight touch.

Causes:

When urate crystals accumulate in the joints, gout occurs. Urate crystals are formed when there is a high level of uric acid found in the blood. Our body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines. Purines are a substance found naturally in the body.

Gout is developed when there is a high level of uric acid in the body. Factors that increase the uric acid level in our body are:

a. Diet

b. Obesity

c. Medical conditions

d. Certain medicines

Sometimes our body produces too much uric acid or our kidneys excrete too little uric acid. Whenever this happens, it causes inflammation and swelling.

Treatments:

Your doctor will prescribe you certain gout medications, which will help you treat acute gout attacks and also prevent future attacks. Medications to treat gout attacks include Colchicine, Corticosteroids, and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Final Thoughts!

As they say, ‘prevention is always better than cure’. Ensure that you take very good care of your feet by keeping them clean, free from harmful bacteria. Wearing a good footwear can be a great start to keeping your feet healthy.

Foot conditions are highly subjective and can vary in type, symptoms, and severity. It is advisable to see a doctor if your foot condition worsens and if home-based treatments don’t seem to be working.

Take care.

About the Author

Harvey lives with his wife, daughter, and two golden retrievers in one of the many stone houses in Stamford, UK. He is a freelance writer and a content strategist with many top health and beauty product companies like

: makers one of the most popular skin tag removal devices in UK. When he is not working he can be found sipping coffee in one of the cafe's overlooking river Welland

The average American takes between 5,000 and 7,000 steps per day, and people who get the recommended amount of physical exercise may take up to twice as many. Fortunately, the feet are tough organs and they are designed to stand up to that level of wear and tear. But that’s assuming that your feet are healthy.

Look at it this way. Grinding your teeth once or twice a day is unhealthy but probably not the end of the world. On the other hand, walking about a quarter-million steps or more a month while wearing ill-fitting shoes or on a foot that’s already showing some signs of injury can create major problems.

Luckily, because of the foot’s toughness, most of these problems are fairly easy to reverse. They are even easier to avoid altogether, and here are ten easy ways to accomplish that goal.

The Right Shoes

In most cases, it’s perfectly okay to select a necktie or sweater almost exclusively because of the way it looks and according to your personal preferences. But shoes simply do not work that way. Instead of just walking out with the the most eye-catching pair of shoes in the store that are reasonably close to your size, evaluate footwear as follows:

● Since feet naturally swell throughout the day, shop in the afternoon or evening,

● Try on both shoes, since your feet may not be exactly the same size, and buy the larger size if they’re different,

● Examine the soles to make sure they are thick enough, and

● Stand and walk in the shoes.

The best shoes, though not necessarily the most fashionable ones, are round at the toes and also round at the heel.

Select Breathable Footwear

Winter, spring, summer, and fall, feet sweat. A lot. Even a little extra moisture is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, and these substances can cause some major problems.

Choose athletic shoes with at least some breathable mesh, and the more mesh, the better. However, if you do a lot of outdoor or trail running, you may want an upper that’s a little more solid. As for dress or casual shoes, leather is best. If leather is not an option for whatever reason, pay extra close attention to the next tip.

Keep Feet Dry, Episode II

Breathable footwear probably is not enough to keep your feet dry, especially if you’re not wearing the right socks or stockings. Synthetic socks, as opposed to cotton or wool, usually wick moisture away very efficiently. For women, excessively tight pantyhose, aside from being quite uncomfortable, also trap moisture.

Your feet have 250,000 sweat glands that produce up to a half-pint of moisture every day.

Protect Your Feet

Don’t let this happen to you. Steve Martin later said that he contracted athlete’s foot for the first time since junior high school after doing this scene. Always, always, always wear flip flops, shower shoes, or some other similar protective footwear in locker rooms, at swimming pools, in showers (even your own shower), and elsewhere.

Athlete’s foot and other bacterial infections are incredibly inconvenient, very embarrassing, and extremely easy to prevent.

Wear Your Own Stuff

Never wear another person’s shoes or socks, and never try on shoes in the store without try-on socks. The footwear may seem as clean as a whistle, and it most likely is, but there is absolutely no reason to take chances.

Most people never wash their shoes in hot water, and most manufacturers never clean shoes before they send them to retailers, so there is simply no telling what is in them.

Treat Nail Fungus Instead of Hiding It

Discolored or crumbly nails nearly always mean a fungal infection. Left untreated, these conditions can cause serious problems, especially if you put excess wear on your feet or wear incorrect shoes (namely ones that don’t keep your feet dry). Polishing such nails also makes the problem worse.

There are plenty of natural remedies that are proven to work, and there are lots of effective non-prescription antifungal medicines available as well.

Trim Nails Properly

Most people hardly give any thought at all to toenail trimming, but the technique is actually quite important, or else you are at risk for ingrown toenails.

Instead of rounding the nail at the edges, always trim straight across. Also, be careful not to trim too closely to the skin.

Examine Your Feet

At least once a week, perform a thorough self-examination after you emerge from the bath or shower. Here are some things to look for:

● Athlete’s Foot: Scaling or peeling between your toes or on the soles of your feet is probably a sign of this fungal infection.

● Sores and Abrasions: Ill-fitting shoes and other factors make these conditions worse, often leading to infection. Diabetics should check their feet for sores much more often, perhaps once a day, because foot problems are a big problem for many of these individuals.

● Nail Fungus: As mentioned earlier, the telltale discoloration and crumbling is nearly always nail fungus.

Just looking is not enough. If there are issues, follow up straightaway, or they will almost certainly worsen.

Practice Good Hygiene

In this context, good hygiene means washing and drying your feet the right way.

Consider using a good exfoliating bath scrubber in the tub or shower to thoroughly clean your feet. Always scrub feet with both soap and water. Simply letting the excess soap run down onto them does not count. Outside the tub or stall, completely dry your feet, especially between the toes. These habits also keep your feet looking better, and we all want that.

Visit the Doctor

Even with something like athlete’s foot or nail fungus, never self-medicate without seeing a doctor first, because even though the visible problem is probably not the tip of the iceberg, it very well could be. Besides, the hour at the doctor’s office is well worth it, considering the peace of mind you get in the aftermath.

This step applies if you ever experience any pain, or see any swelling or redness.

All these steps basically have one thing in common, which is mindfulness about foot health is probably the key to healthy feet. Keep that in mind, and you’ll probably do fine.

Once in our life, we can experience toe injuries due to small accidents such as stubbing it on furniture or dropping a heavy stuff on it. Since this mishap will not require you to see a doctor immediately, it pays to know how to tape a broken pinkie toe.

Our toes are composed of small bones that tend to be injured or get broken easily. We don’t recommend you to self-medicate your broken pinkie if it's severe, but taping it can limit the movement and prevent further pain and damage.

In most cases, the injured or fractured toe can heal on its own with, of course, proper care and medication at home. Usually, it takes a month to one and a half for it to fully heal. However, if the toe appears crooked or a bone seems to be out of place, it is still better to consult a doctor.

The Things You Will Need

Expect your broken toe to be painful and even swelling. Bruising and numbness on the affected part are also normal. We listed the supplies you need in taping your broken pinkie toe. Make sure to collect all your materials before starting, so you don’t need to walk more.

Scissors and ice pack

A bag of ice or any alternatives that can serve as your “ice pack” can substantially lessen the swelling of the broken toe. It can also help numb the area for a few minutes. Just make sure to use it in moderation as applying it for a longer time can result in frostbite.

For those who don’t have an ice pack, you can make one using a Ziploc bag. Just mix ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, 9 oz of any dish soap and water. Put the bag with the mixture and let it freeze. Any sharp scissors will do.

Medical gauze and medical tape

The bandage will help stabilize the injured toe and prevent movements. If medical tape and gauze are not available, use other regular alternatives until you have access to it.

We suggest you get a handful of these materials as you need to change the wrapping at least twice a day. Doctors typically use one-sided tapes that are thicker and stretchy for added support.

For injuries concerning the big toe, a splint or cast helps and if this is the case, forget all of these materials and seek medical help.

The Step by Step Guide on How to Tape a Broken Pinkie

Via Wikihow.com

When to See the Doctor

​

If the pain persists for a week to two, it is time to see the doctor. Likewise, if you experience sudden tingling, numbness, swelling, fevers, chilling and bleeding, have yourself checked. Over-the-counter painkillers will also provide you ease and reduce swelling.

Wrapping can also cause circulation issues so if you have diabetes, contact your health provider instead of wrapping your broken pinkie toe. If the toe is severely crooked or bent, has an open wound or you can see the bone, go to the emergency room and do not wrap it.

Buddy Taping is the Answer

We hope that you find this article on how to tape a broken pinkie toe beneficial like we did. Fractured toes, regardless if it is the big toe or your pinkie could be severely painful and will hurt for a couple of weeks or more.

We know how hard it is to walk and move during this time. By following the steps above for buddy taping, your toe can heal faster in a straight position. If you have more questions, send it to us through the comment section below. Let’s spread the word!

If you have crumbling and splitting toenails, you might think that the easiest fix is to just wear socks and hide it away from sight. However, this is only a temporary solution. You have to go to the root cause of the problem and do more than just to have it hidden.

If you have no idea how to fix cracked toenails, keep on reading and we’ll share some valuable insights that can help to effectively address the problem. Many of these solutions may seem simple, but they will work!

1. Use a Clear Tape

This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to fix cracked nail. However, like in the case of most solutions available, keep in mind that this is only temporary.

Start by trimming a portion of the clear tape, just small enough to make sure that it will cover the affected toenail. Use it to cover the affected area of the nail. Before pressing the tape firmly, make sure to align the broken parts of the nail so that they will cling to each other. Trim the excess part of the tape.

2. Use a Nail Glue

Before the application of nail glue, make sure to wash and dry your toenails first. This will improve the likelihood that the glue will cling. If there is dirt on the surface, it may not stick well. You can also soak it in warm water first.

Via Amazon.com

Next, dot a small amount of nail glue on the part of the nail that is torn. Attach it to the other end of the nail that does not have any problem. Press it firmly so that the glue will attach. Be sure to avoid the glue from getting in contact with your finger. Wipe the excess glue from the surface and follow it up by buffing.

3. Vicks Vapor Rub

Vicks Vapor Rub is one thing that is possibly present in most homes. Do you know that you can also use it as an effective solution for cracked nails?

First, you should clean your foot and wash it, especially the affected toenail. Next, apply Vicks in your finger and rub it over the nail with crack. Wear socks overnight and in the morning, wash your nail with warm water. Do it repeatedly until crack becomes less visible.

Aside from healing cracked nails, Vicks Vapor Rub can deliver a wide array of uses and benefits, including those that are shown in this short video clip.

4. Teabag

Start by cleaning your toenail and cutting a portion of a clean teabag based on the shape of the affected toenail. Next, apply a layer of clear polish on the nail, which will serve as the base coat. Place the teabag you have earlier cut and press it firmly.

When the teabag is already laid flat on your toenail, apply another layer of clear nail polish on the top. Next, buff your nails and apply another coating of clear nail polish. After this, you can now paint your nails as you would normally do and the crack is most probably already hidden by this time.

5. Moisture

When there is too little moisture, there is a tendency for the nail to be brittle and to easily crack. Keratin, when dried, makes the surface of the nail prone to splitting. With this, it will help if you can keep your nails moisturized.

Excessive moisture, on the other hand, can also be bad for your toenail. Therefore, it is important to dry your nail properly before wearing socks to prevent the presence of too much moisture.

6. Nail Repair Kit

This is probably the best solution that you can consider, although this can also be the most expensive, depending on the specific product that will be chosen. There are nail repair kits that are commercially available, complete with comprehensive instructions on how you can use them.

While there are many products that you might want to consider, one that can prove to be highly-effective is Orly Nail Rescue Kit. The kit is inclusive of nail glue, buffer, and repair powder, as well as an instruction manual to provide detailed steps on how to execute repair.

Using this nail repair kit is pretty much a straightforward task. First, brush glue on your toenail, but not on the cuticle. Dip your nail into the powder, making sure that the entire cracked portion will be covered appropriately. Lastly, buff the nail to make it smoother.

7. Improve your Diet

This may not be the quickest fix that is available, but this can prove to be one of the most effective. If you have cracked nails, this is an indication of a bad state of health. Therefore, you should consider improving your diet as the primary solution.

Your diet should include loads of fruits and vegetables to have beneficial vitamins and minerals. Biotin, a compound that is responsible for the health of your nail, is one that should be high in your food intake. At the same time, you should also increase your consumption of zinc.

Conclusion

Now that you are done reading, I hope that you have learned how to fix cracked toenails. With the right materials ready, this is something that you can do on your own. There is no need to hide your foot if you can easily get rid of split nails!

Is there any equally effective solution that you have tried in the past? Is there anything else you would want to share? Feel free to leave a comment below.