Initial visit with coupon only. Must mention at time of appointment. Excludes house calls. Expires 4/30/19
5/31/2020
Walk-Ins Welcome Brooklyn: Mon. 9am-2pm, Wed. 9am-12pm & 4pm-7pm, Fri. 1pm-6pm
2075 Flatbush Avenue
Avenue P / Near Library
COURIER LIFE, MAY 15-21, 2020 7
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Dr. Jeffrey Miller, podiatrist
and surgeon of A Call
Away Foot Care, says seniors
are especially prone
to foot problems. Yet, they
are the ones that often cannot
get to the office – so he
will come to them.
He says feet lose cushioning
as we age. Skin and nails
can grow dry and brittle.
As many seniors have poor
circulation, this can slow
the healing of foot sores.
“Finding comfortable shoes
that fit is the best thing you
can do for your feet,” says
the doctor. “It’s especially
important to avoid tight
or high-heeled shoes that
put undue pressure on the
foot.” The constant rubbing
and pinching from this
“fashionable” footwear are
a major cause of corns, calluses,
and bunions, he says,
and not surprisingly, these
conditions occur four times
as often in women as in
men. He notes that feet can
become wider as we age, so
always have feet measured
before buying new shoes.
Another way to protect
feet is to keep the blood
flowing freely. Improve
circulation by stretching,
walking, and exercising,
says the doctor – especially
if prone to sitting all day.
Avoid wearing tight socks
or sitting too long with legs
crossed. Do not smoke. “It
narrows the arteries and
can hamper blood flow,”
says Dr. Miller.
Fungus thrives in warm,
dark, moist areas, which
makes the foot an inviting
target. “You don’t need to
be an athlete to develop
this fungal infection,” says
the doctor, and drying in
between the toes will help
ward it off “If you notice redness,
blisters, peeling, and
itching - especially between
the toes - quickly blast the
fungus with an athlete’s
foot powder or spray.”
Burning and itching
of dry skin can be helped
with moisturizers, preferably
ones that contain petroleum
jelly or lanolin. If
you do develop corns and
calluses, rub them with a
pumice stone or callus file.
Protect them from further
irritation with non-medicated
pads. Be aware that
the medicated corn-removing
solutions sold in drugstores
may be tempting, but
use extreme caution as they
can eat away at healthy skin
and cause even more pain,
says the doctor. “These
products are particularly
dangerous for people with
diabetes or other circulation
problems,” he says.
“Best to call a doctor if one
has these conditions.”
Hammertoes are especially
troublesome for seniors
because they can affect
balance and increase
the risk of falls. “The remedy
is simple,” says the
doctor. “Wear shoes and
socks that give your toes
ample space.” Ingrown
toenails can be painful. If
it looks red and infected,
call the doctor, especially
if you have diabetes. Seemingly
minor foot problems
can pose serious threats
to those who suffer from
diabetes. That’s because
the disease often damages
the blood vessels that feed
the feet. As a result, small
wounds will heal slowly
and can develop gangrene.
“People with diabetes have
to be extra vigilant about
foot care,” says Dr. Miller,
and should make appointments
to see the doctor every
3-4 months.
The office accepts most
insurance plans.
Dr. Miller was born and
raised in Brooklyn, and
still resides here.
A Call Away Foot Care
2075 Flatbush Avenue in
Mill Basin, (718) 968-3338.
Open Monday 9am–2pm,
Wednesday 9am–12pm, 4pm
–7pm, Friday 1pm–6pm.
BUS INES S , B ROOKLYN S T Y LE
This doctor makes house calls.
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