A Shoe is a Shoe, or is it?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The month of June is here and that means the onset of summer.  June is also the month for weddings, so that means, like it or not, uncovering the suit and dusting off the dress shoes.  You will undoubtedly have to do the escort thing and take your lady to one, two or a few functions this summer season.  But not to worry, if you have the suit, you should have a good and classic pair of shoes to go with it.

Following are a few tips for what makes the great pair, and how you can best incorporate them into your wardrobe.  Your feet will be grateful if you don’t shirk on the cost.  A good pair of shoes will probably cost upwards of $200.00, perhaps a good bit more.  Keep in mind though, you get what you pay for, and you should be able to wear these shoes for years, if not decades.  If you can only have one pair of dress shoes, go with this:

• Classic, black, glossy leather lace ups 
• Leather soles
• Close welt
• Nearly invisible stitching
• Round elongated toe
• Minimum ¼” sole

Hands down, glossy leather is the fool-proof way to go, but if you have a little adventure you may want to experiment with suede, ostrich or alligator.  Get ready to invest some money in the latter two. Cap toe oxfords are classic dress and look amazing with everything, but wing tips are a safe bet also. Just make sure the soles are not thin, as this is a dead give-away that the shoes are bad.  The lining in leather shoes should be made of calfskin or quality leather and never a synthetic material.  The leather lining will help deal with perspiration.

If you have doubts about your ability to select and purchase a pair of quality leather shoes, shop on a Sunday afternoon, which is the slowest time of the week.  Also, get a clerk to help you with the Brannock foot measuring device.  This way you are sure to get a good fit and your feet will be grateful.  Buy shoes that fit right from the start.  If they don’t fit at first, the fit will not improve as time goes by.  A pair of shoe trees or shoe savers is a worthwhile added investment.  Placed in your shoes as soon as you take them off, they will help maintain the shoe shape and eliminate odors caused by perspiration thereby protecting the longevity of the shoes.  Still having doubts?  Go ahead, slip out of the sneakers and reinvent yourself by slipping into a pair of classics.

If you a diabetic you will want a softer shoe with cushioned sole and be sure to consult with Dr. Bowman prior to your purchase.  You can reach Dr. Jeff Bowman at 713-467-8886 or schedule an online appointment at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

References:

http://www.kinowear.com/blog/a-simple-guide-on-dress-shoes

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Blisters — the hiker’s nemesis!

Terry Hershey Park trail in Houston, TX, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of all the aggravating foot ailments that crop up, blisters rank high. If you get a blister at an inconvenient time, it can ruin an outing. Therefore, it’s a good plan to be prepared for blisters and be able to treat them on the spot.

Blisters are the result of moisture, friction, heat and dirt. Moisture is generally caused by a damp sock, and friction occurs when there is rapid repetitive rubbing on the skin. However, the best treatment for blisters is prevention. If you are planning a hike, wearing new shoes or boots, then rub a small amount of lubricant on your heels or other hot spots.  The lubricant will help eliminate friction.
If a blister happens anyway, don’t intentionally break it unless you must to keep walking.  Appropriate treatment includes the following:

• Wash the area with soap and water.
• Only if necessary, break the blister in the lower side area with a sterile needle (rubbing alcohol works) and allow it to drain.
• Leave skin covering the blister rather than trimming it.
• Apply a healing ointment and cover with a sterile band aid.
• Keep dry and clean. Allow it to heal in the open air as much as possible.

Change your shoes to a pair that fits at the first opportunity to a style that accommodates the blister and does not allow the shoe to rub on the area. You might want to wear a slipper for a couple of days until the area is well on its way to healing.

Blisters do not normally require medical treatment, but at the first sign of an infection you should contact Dr. Bowman. Signs of infection may include increased pain, swelling, redness or warmth, red streaks leading away from the blister, and pus draining from the blister.  Cluster of very small blisters may be the first sign of a skin infection or Tinea Pedis.

Foot blisters are painful and are sure to curtail your immediate activity, but most are treatable at home. Remember to keep the affected area dry and clean and allow it to heal on its own. If you have diabetes, or another condition or ailment that has caused a loss of sensation in your feet, you should call Dr. Bowman for treatment at (713) 467-8886. His experienced hands will have you back on the path in no time.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/blisters-home-treatment
http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Foot-Blister

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BOLO Watch - Be On Lookout, Signs of Skin Cancer

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are concentrated areas of pigmentation of the skin called freckles and moles. However, there is a difference between the two. A freckle is a pigmentation of the innermost layer of the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin. Freckles occur as a result of exposure to the sun and most often appear on the shoulders or face and the tendency to develop freckles may be inherited. Freckles are benign and do not usually require any treatment. Freckling is not associated with cancer, but people with fair complexions are more susceptible to skin cancer.

A mole is a cluster of cells called melanocytes (cells that produce melanin, the skin pigmentation) which is located in the top layer of the second skin layer (dermis). Moles are usually visible at birth and become more noticeable as you grow older. Moles tend to be small, but occasionally can grow large. They are most often benign, but sometimes can become cancerous.

You should watch moles carefully for changes and see your doctor immediately if concerns develop.  Be observant for changes in:

• Size
• Shape
• Color
• Painfulness

Moles may be isolated or appear in clusters. People who have moles should examine their bodies carefully for changes. A mole that you have had may change, others may develop or become painful should have careful attention paid to them.

You can remember this by remembering A, B, C, D and E.

• Asymmetry, when half of the mole changes in size
• Border, when the edges of a mole are jagged
• Color, if color is uneven and changes from tan, brown, black, blue, red or white
• Diameter, if it is larger than a pencil eraser
• Elevation, when height variation is present

There are several different types of skin cancer and most are treatable if detected early and treated quickly. The real lesson here is, don’t forget to consider your feet when it comes to sun protection. The skin on the top of your feet is delicate and has not been sun exposed all winter. Make sure you don’t forget SPF 50 and rub it in! Skin cancers can be removed by cutting them away and closing the skin with a stitch or two. Or your doctor may use a treatment where they freeze the area. Regardless of the treatment, you will have a more clear idea of what to look for in the future. Dr. Bowman knows exactly what to look for. If you have suspicious moles or other spots on your feet, contact him at (713) 467-8886 and get his professional advice. Don’t let these spots go unchecked.
 
References:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/info/v1pt00/skin-cancer?s_kwcid=TC|21765|skin%20cancer||S|e|9570087974&xid=g_dlp-v1pt00
http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_cancer/article.htm

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Go Ahead - Rub It In

Have you ever examined your skin under a magnifying glass? Do you see all those little white lines? Congratulations! You’re like millions of others, and you have dry skin.

It’s time to moisturize. The problem is with all of the marketing, advertising, and celebrity hype, how do you know what works? You have to shop the ingredient label and know the quality of the ingredients. Most of the popular brands that are heavily advertised spend their budget not on quality ingredients but on ADVERTISING! 

Ingredients in lotions you want to avoid, or at least see at the bottom of the ingredient label, may include:

• Benzalkonium chloride - a preservative known to be an extreme eye irritant as well as cause allergic reactions and respiratory distress.

• Fragrance - not such a good thing when many of them are known carcinogens.  The only purpose they serve is adding an aroma.

• Mineral oil - a product derived from crude oil that may be disguised under a variety of other names.

• Dioxane

Thankfully, there are manufacturers who bottle quality products and still reasonably price their product because they don’t have the advertising overhead. These products contain natural moisturizers such as olive oil, jojoba oil and shea butter, in addition to other ingredients.  However, these more healthful and preferred lotions might not be available at your local super retail center. Look for them at Dr. Bowman’s office, he carries different types for your needs.

Your skin is your body’s frontline when it comes to protecting you from infection. If this first defense layer is compromised because of cracked or dry skin, you open up the possibility of infections. It is particularly important for people with diabetes to protect the skin on their feet and be very vigilant. The potential harm to their feet is compounded due to loss of sensation. Also, people with skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis should be treated medically.

During the summer months if you wear sandals or spend any time barefoot on the beach, get a lotion with 50 SPF sunblock added.  Dr. Bowman can recommend a good brand of lotion for you, one where all of the chemical additives don’t do more harm than good.  For dry, cracked skin on your feet or heels, contact him at (713) 467-8886. Look for a healthy product, then--rub it in.

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