COURIER LIFE, NOV. 1-7, 2019 13
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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 highheeled
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 nonmedicated
pads. Be aware
that the medicated cornremoving
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
5723 Ave. N, corner of 58
Street and Avenue N in
Mill Basin, (718) 968-3338.
Open Mondays, 10 am – 2
pm; Tuesdays, 9-noon, then
house calls from noon – 4
pm, and office hours resume
4-7 pm; Fridays, house calls
from 9 – noon, and office
hours from noon – 6 pm.
BUS INES S , B ROOKLYN S T Y LE
This doctor makes house calls.
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