According to Dan Michaels, DPM, dark vertical bands on the toenail or dark spots under the nail could be a sign of pigment deposits, trauma, or skin cancer.     If a dark brown or black discolored straight vertical stripe appears on the nail, this could indicate melanonychia – which can be caused by…

Interestingly, according to a new study, the ability to balance for 10 seconds on one foot may predict life expectancy. Results showed that those who failed the test were twice as likely to die in the next 10 years. Dan Michaels, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist explains, “There is also a link between balance and cognitive…

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Plantar fasciitis is by far the most common cause of pain in the heel, but a ‘stress syndrome’ of the bone does occur. What makes things interesting is how the pain of these two conditions can act very much the same. Our experienced ‘detective’ work is commonly needed to distinguish…

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to stress fractures, or tiny cracks in the bone, because the trabeculae (the spongy tissue that connects your body’s bones) thin with age. The most common symptom is pain with activity that subsides with rest. “We saw a lot of stress fractures throughout the pandemic. People were barefoot more because…

“Diabetic socks are primarily designed to protect the feet, usually with a low-profile seam to reduce the chances of disrupting the skin of the feet, a moisture-wicking material, and often a relatively loose-fitting design to prevent constriction,” says Dan Michaels, DPM.   Dr. Michaels recommends socks made at least partly from a synthetic fabric, like…

Wearing the right socks is important for your foot health – especially if you have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive perspiration. “If the excess sweat remains against the skin, it encourages overgrowth of germs like bacteria and fungi,” board-certified podiatrist Dan Michaels DPM states. “Wet skin is also more easily damaged, which can lead…

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Every year, May 31 is celebrated as World No Tobacco Day. Smoking cigarettes has long been known to have detrimental health effects on the body, contributing to problems such as heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking can also have many lesser known but just as deadly health effects on the…

According to Daniel Michaels, DPM, the most common causes of ball-of-foot pain are high-impact exercises that put pressure on the forefront of your foot, too tight or improperly fitting shoes, or foot ailments like bunions or hammertoes. When shopping for orthotic insoles that specifically help pain in the ball of your foot, Dr. Michaels recommends…

Ultimately, your feet will determine what is best to wear around the house. “If someone has foot problems and pain, it’s best to wear supportive shoes with socks, even inside the home,” said Dan Michaels, DPM. “If someone has no foot problems, barefoot is acceptable.” He added that for most Americans, wearing slippers around the…

Even if you have flat feet, chances are you haven’t given much thought to the type of shoe you should be wearing. That’s because the condition – which occurs when the foot does not have a natural arch, allowing the entire foot to touch the ground – is fairly common and typically painless.    …