Items filtered by date: December 2022

A common reason why blisters develop on the feet is friction. Wearing shoes that are too tight may result in excessive rubbing, causing blisters to develop on various parts of the feet. A blister is a small bubble that is filled with liquid, which protects the damaged skin. When new skin has formed underneath it, the blister will gradually drain. It is the body’s natural defense in protecting the skin, and it is important to refrain from prematurely popping it. An additional reason why blisters may form can include frostbite, causing tissue damage. There are various stages of frostbite, and blisters generally form in the second stage. Some people can develop blisters from an allergic reaction, or medical issues consisting of eczema, psoriasis, or shingles. If you have developed one or more blisters on your feet, please contact a podiatrist who can help you with treatment and discuss prevention methods with you.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Services . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Murrieta, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

People who have cracked heels may notice they become worse in the colder months. This condition can cause your feet to look older and may be painful or uncomfortable. There are various reasons why cracked heels can develop, including standing on hard surfaces and wearing shoes that have an open back. Flip flops and sandals also fall into this category and if you choose to wear this shoe, it helps if it has a strap to secure the heel. People who are obese may find they have cracked heels due to the added weight the heels endure. Medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and thyroid disorders may lead to cracked heels. Some of the symptoms that are associated with this ailment include redness, flaky skin, and in severe cases, the cracks in the heel may bleed causing an infection. There are several treatment methods for cracked heels and if you suffer from this condition, it is advised that you consult a podiatrist who can help you with effective healing techniques.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Services . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Murrieta, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Individuals of all kinds can be susceptible to developing stress fractures, which are essentially tiny cracks in the bones. Runners are certainly no exception. These stress fractures are typically caused by repeated trauma of some kind. When a runner develops a stress fracture in their feet, they might be tempted to continue running despite having this condition. It is important to note that doing this can significantly delay the healing process. Additionally, running with a stress fracture might even lead to the development of some alternative foot injury because of an altered running gait to compensate for the pain of the stress fracture. Instead of running with the stress fracture, one might consider temporarily refraining from running and letting the feet heal. Contact a podiatrist today for specific treatment. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Services . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Murrieta, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a deformity that occurs when a bony bump forms at the base of the big toe pushing it outward. From this movement, the tip of the big toe is pulled toward the smaller toes. Activities, including walking and standing, can lead to stiffness, foot pain, swelling, and redness. Calluses may develop where the big toe and the second toe touch or on the ball of the foot. Ill-fitting shoes, that are narrow or tight, or prolonged standing may lead to bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also be a result of one’s foot shape or an underlying condition, such as arthritis. Smaller bunions, also known as bunionettes, can form on the joint of the smaller toe. Bunions most often happen to elderly people and women. One can try bunion pads, better-fitting shoes, or toe spacers to help reduce the pain of bunions. If these things do not work, one can have bunion surgery, or a bunionectomy. If you have a bunion, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist who can provide the best treatment options for you.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Services . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Murrieta, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.