Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
Dry, cracked heels can be both unsightly and uncomfortable. Sometimes they can even be painful, especially if the cracks are deep. Many different things can cause cracked heels. Wearing shoes that do not adequately support the feet, such as shoes with an open back, can put excess pressure on the heels, causing them to crack. Standing for long periods of time can also put too much pressure on your feet, and this may be made worse if you wear uncomfortable shoes and socks. Dry weather may sap moisture from your feet. Cracked heels can also appear with age, as natural skin elasticity and moisture decrease. Fortunately, cracked heels can be treated and even prevented. For more information about cracked heels, please consult with a podiatrist.
Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Bruce Smit, DPM from Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor 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 Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
A small area of hardened skin that develops on the bottom of the feet or between the toes may be indicative of a corn. A corn can cause severe pain and discomfort, and it generally forms as a result of excessive friction. This friction is typically caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, which can also affect your gait. The corn may diminish in size when wearing properly fitted shoes, or when the activity that caused the friction is temporarily ceased. Some patients find mild relief when a protective pad is worn over the corn. If the corn is severe, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, such as trimming the corn.
If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Bruce Smit, DPM of Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Ankle sprains are a common injury among athletes. The severity of an ankle sprain can vary from a mild overstretching of the ligaments in the ankle to a severe ligament tear. While there are options for treating mild ankle sprains at home, such as resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected ankle, further medical attention will be warranted in more severe cases. You should seek immediate medical attention if your foot or lower leg is bent at an angle. You should also see a doctor if you heard a popping sound at the time of injury, have moderate to severe pain, have severe swelling or bruising, are unable to walk or bear weight on the affected ankle, experience numbness or tingling after the injury, or if you have swelling or bruising that lasts longer than two weeks. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Bruce Smit, DPM from Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.
What Are the Symptoms?
Preventing a Sprain
Treatment of a Sprain
In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.
The Achilles tendon is a tough band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. An Achilles tendon rupture is an injury in which this tendon tears. This often happens during a sudden, forceful movement of the foot downward against resistance, for example, when an athlete pushes off the foot forcefully to jump. The symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture is a sudden, sharp snap and intense pain in the back of the leg, an inability to point the foot downward, and difficulty walking. Swelling may also occur. If you suspect that you have ruptured your Achilles tendon, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Bruce Smit, DPM of Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
Rupture Symptoms
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Flat feet is a condition in which the arch in the middle of the sole of the foot is absent, causing the entire sole of the foot to touch the ground when standing. About 30% of the population has flat feet. People with flat feet tend to have heels that point outwards from the ankles and floppier feet due to an excess of movement in the midfoot region. These can lead to various symptoms, such as pain, tenderness, or cramping in the feet or legs, and to the development of other foot conditions, including posterior tibialis tendonitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, ankle arthritis, overload metatarsalgia, and stress fractures in the bones of the feet. If you have flat feet that are causing you pain or discomfort, it is recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Bruce Smit, DPM from Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms
Treatment
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The condition that is known as athlete’s foot can cause mild to severe irritation on the bottom of the feet or between the toes. It is caused by a fungus and is considered to be contagious. The type of fungi that can lead to athlete’s foot lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, such as public swimming pools. Additionally, the fungus may be found on shower room floors, in locker rooms, and in surrounding areas. An effective prevention technique can consist of wearing appropriate shoes while in these types of areas, and it can help to avoid sharing towels, socks, and shoes. Some of the symptoms that are associated with athlete’s foot include itchiness on various parts of the foot, and the skin may become dry and flaky. In severe cases, blisters may develop, and the foot may emit an odor. Athlete's foot is best treated by a podiatrist.
Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Bruce Smit, DPM from Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.
Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Most plantar warts, warts that develop on the bottom of the foot, go away after months or years on their own. However, as these warts can cause pain and discomfort, and because they are contagious and can spread easily, a doctor may recommend or prescribe various treatments and at home care techniques to help you find relief. To treat a foot wart, your doctor may prescribe a topical medication, which you must use exactly as prescribed for best results. You may also take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain from the wart. Wearing comfortable shoes and socks, and padding the wart by wearing a doughnut-shaped felt or moleskin bandage, may also help relieve pain by reducing pressure placed on the wart. For the best treatment options, consult with a podiatrist today.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Bruce Smit, DPM from Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
Treatment
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
A blister is a fluid-filled bump that often appears on the foot. Most blisters are the result of excessive friction over a concentrated area of the foot, and are usually not serious. Left alone, they can typically heal without medical intervention. However, sometimes blisters can warrant a visit to the podiatrist. If you have a blister that you think may be infected, it is recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible, as this can lead to a contagious bacterial infection of the skin, called secondary impetigo, or further complications like cellulitis or sepsis. You should also consult with a podiatrist if your blister is very painful or frequently recurs. For more information about foot blisters, speak with a podiatrist today.
Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Bruce Smit, DPM of Frankfort Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctor 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 Frankfort, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.