Items filtered by date: September 2022

Tuesday, 27 September 2022 00:00

Blisters on the Bottom of the Feet

Blisters can occur on the bottom of the feet for different reasons. Causes of foot blisters include dyshidrotic eczema from seasonal allergies or stress, friction from repetitive rubbing of the feet on shoes and/or socks that are too tight, or athlete’s foot infections. However, injuries or underlying medical conditions can also lead to foot blisters. Blisters can produce issues ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and bleeding. It is important not to try to burst a blister. If it does burst, it will likely produce more discomfort. If you have foot blisters and you do not know the cause, they are becoming worse, or not healing, seek medical advice. Diabetics should take particular heed of this advice because if they suffer from neuropathy, they may not notice that a blister may turn into an ulcer and possibly cause dangerous complications. See a podiatrist for the proper diagnosis and care of blisters.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of ABC Podiatry. 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 Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Tuesday, 20 September 2022 00:00

Foot Wounds and Diabetes

Many individuals will suffer from a foot wound at some point in their life from some kind of cut, scrape, etc. While certain types of foot wounds can heal by themselves, individuals who suffer from diabetes might notice that it is more difficult for wounds on their bodies to heal. This is primarily due to the fact that when a diabetic’s blood sugar is abnormally high, the healing process is significantly slowed down. If you suffer from diabetes, you should not ignore wounds on your feet, as wounds left untreated can develop an infection. In very severe cases, untreated wounds may require amputation, and diabetics are more likely to undergo some kind of amputation procedure. Therefore, if you have diabetes, it might be wise to conduct a brief daily examination of your foot, scanning all parts of the foot (including between the toes) for any sign of a wound. Contact your podiatrist if you have a wound for proper treatment.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from ABC Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

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Wednesday, 14 September 2022 00:00

Obesity and Foot Swelling

Having swollen feet is certainly not a pleasant experience. Swelling in the feet occurs when bodily fluids become trapped or built-up in the tissues. As a result, the affected area can become significantly puffy, causing them to look markedly bigger than usual. Although swelling in the feet has a litany of different causes, obesity is one potential contributing factor to swollen feet. When an individual is obese, or overweight, they can sometimes experience reduced blood circulation, which then can make the feet become swollen. Additionally, since obese people carry more weight, they consequently exert more pressure on their feet and this can cause pain when walking. As a result, obese people may minimize their physical activity, which can make fluids become trapped in the feet. If you are an individual that struggles with obesity, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss ways to mitigate your foot pain. In consultation with your podiatrist, you may discuss whether or not losing weight would help you reduce the problems that you are experiencing in your feet. Do not take any chances with the health of your feet–contact a podiatrist today.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from ABC Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

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

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Tuesday, 13 September 2022 00:00

Do You Suffer From Painful Feet?

Painful deformities, such as hammertoes, can be treated. Stop living with foot pain, and have beautiful feet again!

Wednesday, 07 September 2022 00:00

What Causes Foot Pain in Toddlers?

If your toddler seems to have foot pain, he or she may not be able to sleep and will often complain about walking or putting on shoes. Sometimes their foot discomfort is nothing more than growing pains that begin in the late part of the second year of life and last until age 4. Toddlers can also feel foot pain due to muscle soreness or overuse from zealous running, jumping, and climbing. However, other things may also be brewing that cause foot pain in these youngsters. Flatfoot is when the foot does not develop a normal arch. It is normal for babies to have flat feet, but if it continues beyond age 2 or 3 and the feet have taken on their shape, it can cause pain in the arch, heel, ankle, leg, hip, and back, as well as rolling of the foot. A child may also suffer from restless leg syndrome. This is a neurological condition where sensations are felt in the legs and feet. While the cause is unknown, this is found more often in small children and early walkers with allergic conditions, asthma, and eczema. It may also be due to a particular medication, anemia, or childhood diabetes. Toddler foot pain may be due to a nutritional deficiency, such as dehydration, low potassium, and magnesium. Sever’s disease is a condition that develops from an injury to the growth plate in the heel. The growth plate becomes inflamed and may cause pain until the feet have finished growing. Contact a podiatrist if your child’s foot pain persists or worsens. This professional can see if one of these conditions is present that needs attention and treatment.



 

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of ABC Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

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