Between Easter and Passover, many of us were dressed to impress recently.  When putting together such an outfit, choosing the correct pair of socks to wear will ensure not only comfort, but also optimum foot protection. Socks are not just a piece of foot "armor" acting as an additional barrier to the outside world, they are an essential element of complete, healthy footwear.  When it's decision time for socks, keep the following two major criteria in mind:

1. Climate: Weather indictates sock choice just as much as shoe choice

• In cooler temperatures and wet weather, thicker and well-insulated socks are recommended.
• In warm climate areas such as Jacksonville, lightweight socks with moisture-wicking technology are the better choice.

2. Activity:  Would the sock you wear to work be the one you wear to climb a mountain?

• To avoid heat build-up during high-impact activities such as running or fitness walking, choose a thinner sock with moisture-wicking capabilities.
• If shock absorption and cushioning is what you need, choose a sock made of thicker material such as micro-acrylic fabric or cotton.

While the idea of "technical socks" might sound a bit funny, there's no denying the big improvement they can make over your basic tube socks during certain activities.  One can now find socks made specifically for: "heavy" work, "light" work, sitting, walking, jogging, running, hiking, mountaineering, biking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, scuba diving (yep, scuba diving!), aerobics, weightlifting, and the list goes on and on.  What's the difference between them?  It all comes down to these features...

Padding:  Look for padding on the heel and ball of the foot for cushioning and protection.  This extra padding can be a real foot-saver.

Arch reinforcements:  Some socks offer a tighter, reinforced weave in the arch to improve support. Without proper support, arches can develop arch pain or even plantar fasciitis. Keep in mind, though, that your shoe choice is the key factor for arch support.

Height:  In many cases, height is merely a personal preference. However, crew and quarter socks do offer abrasion protection from boot/shoe tops, so socks at least as tall as the tops are recommended.

Fit:  When you try on socks, pay attention to how they fit in the toe and the heel. Correct length is very important. If a sock       is too long, it will bunch up over your toes. If it's too short, the sock will slide down into the shoe and feel tight. For heavily padded socks, try them on with shoes to ensure everything fits comfortably together.

And last, but not least... for the sake of your feet (and fashion), regularly inspect your socks and discard outgrown, misshapen, or "holey" socks!

If your feet are suffering from the effects of a poor sock choice or any other reason, contact the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic today and make an appointment to meet with Dr. Reddy

By: Vimal Reddy DPM

Tim Tebow, previously with the Denver Broncos, has been traded.  Too much of the dismay of many Tebow fans in Jacksonville FL, the UF graduate was not picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the New York Jets.  Although Tebow is very “excited” about this, fans in the North Florida area thinks the situation stinks!

What can really stink is after a long day of anticipation and perspiration, it’s time to unwind, kick off your shoes and put your feet up. If you're like many people, it can be a bit of an eye-opener and nose-tingler the moment your shoes and socks hit the floor.

Sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis) and smelly feet (bromhidrosis) are two common and conditions of the foot. Some cases are caused by:

• Systemic ("whole body") conditions such as anemia (low blood count)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Most cases have a "local to the foot" cause

The main issue feeding foot odor is sweat. Our feet are among the most perspiring parts of the body- able to produce more than a pint of sweat in a single day! Sweat alone doesn't have a distinctive smell. The smell from sweating is caused by bacteria on our skin that eats the sweat and excretes waste, causing the stink! It's perfectly normal to have bacteria on your skin but it doesn't always produce a noticeable smell.

So do sweaty, smelly, feet happen to begin with?

1. Wearing shoes or socks made of synthetic materials contributes to the production of excessive perspiration and the bacteria growth that causes this condition and odor
2. Most footwear is made of synthetic materials- especially tennis shoes. Many synthetic materials don't "breathe" very well and therefore,
3. The sweat our feet excrete can't easily escape into the air like the sweat our hands excrete -- it all collects on our skin and in our socks.
4. The bacteria thrive in this kind of environment by feeding on the excess sweat.
5. When you take off your shoes the foul odor that hits you is all the bacteria excretion that's collected on your feet and in your socks and shoes.

What's a person with smelly and/or sweaty feet to do?!!

1.  Decrease the amount of bacteria on your feet
2.  Decrease the amount of sweat that collects on your feet and in your shoes

How to Reduce Bacteria:

•  Wash your feet with anti-bacterial soap
•  Wear clean socks everyday
•  Give a pair of shoes 24 or more hours to air out before wearing again

How to Reduce Sweat:

•  Wear well-ventilated shoes instead of very constrictive shoes, such as boots
•  Always wear socks, preferably made of cotton or other absorbent materials
•  Change socks multiple times per day, if possible
•  Apply antiperspirant to your feet

If your foot odor or sweating is excessive and basic remedies are not helping, make an appointment to visit Dr. Reddy at the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic.

Come see us at our booth for the 2012 Gate River Run, Runners Expo at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds!  We’re next to the Donna Deegan Marathon and Black Creek Outfitters.

Hours of Expo:

Thursday, March 10th           11:00 AM until 6:00 PM

Friday, March 11th                 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM

Saturday, March 12th             8:30 AM until 12:00 PM

“Like” us on our Facebook page and be entered to win a pair of custom orthotics valued at $450!

“Like” our Facebook page at the expo and get $3’s off BioFreeze, usually $15!

Also enter at our booth for a chance to win a iPod Nano!

The First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic looks forward to seeing you there!  Come join the fun!

Do you have dry peeling skin or calluses on your feet?  If a few state there is a new and controversial treatment currently offered by pedicurists—not podiatrists. Just like any regular pedicure, your feet are place in a tank of water, but instead of a pumice stone or razor used on your rough spots, tiny “doctor fish” swim around sucking the dead skin off the bottom of your feet. The fish have no teeth, so the procedure is completely painless, but perhaps ticklish for some.  If you are feeling adventurous, this may be a therapy you are willing to try!

Your skin consists of two layers:

1. Outer epidermis

2. Inner dermis.

The epidermis grows from the inside out and at the outermost levels the skin cells are dead. These dead skill cells act as a barrier to the outside world and eventually will shed away. The fish take advantage of this normal function and eat away at the dead outer layer. This results in skin that is softer, smoother and more cosmetically pleasing.

So, whoohoo, softer feet!... But is it safe? Some state cosmetology boards, including Florida, require tools be sterilized between uses.  Since it’s impossible to sterilize fish, unless you want to add a snack after your pedicure, the fish are banned. For now you will need to leave Jacksonville, FL to receive such a treatment. However, if after receiving a pedicure at any local nail salon in the area, and your feet just don’t seem the same, the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic is here to help.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy