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Foot ulcers can develop into serious wounds and can even lead to the loss of a limb. This is why it is important to adequately treat every cut, callus and blister you sustain because they have the potential to develop into these serious foot ulcers. Here is some information about identifying, preventing and treating foot ulcers.
People who suffer from chronic illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, nerve damage from alcoholism, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and those with vascular issues can all be at risk of developing foot ulcers. However, the group that is most at risk are those with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that numbs the extremities to cold, heat and pain.
Because of peripheral neuropathy, diabetics may sustain foot wounds that they are unable to feel and therefore do not treat. Walking around on untreated wounds will often cause them to become foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause the feet to become deformed. Putting deformed feet in normal shoes can cause blisters and calluses that may also develop into ulcers. In addition, diabetics often have poor blood circulation to their legs and feet and, without proper nourishment, the feet are unable to heal themselves of infections.
Foot ulcers are red sores found commonly on the balls of the feet or underneath the big toe. If they are infected, they will also produce pus and omit a bad odor. If left untreated, these sores can develop gangrene and your foot will eventually need amputation. For this reason, it is imperative to see a podiatrist if you suspect that you have a foot ulcer so you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Cleansing and Debridement
Your doctor will cleanse the ulcer and remove any dead or dying tissue from the wound. An ointment that promotes healing may be added to the wound before your doctor bandages it.
Stay off Your Feet
Your foot may be put in a cast or protective boot. It is best to stay off your feet as much as possible while you are healing.
Assisted Wound Care
A foot care professional will have to inspect your ulcer once a week until it is fully healed. In addition, a visiting nurse will help dress your wound.
It is critical for diabetics to develop a good relationship with their podiatrists. Most diabetics will require regular care to assure that small problems will not develop into major issues.
Now that you know some facts about foot ulcers, be sure to reach out to a foot care professional if you suspect you have one. If you have any further questions about identifying, preventing or treating foot ulcers or want to book an appointment at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, feel free to reach out to us.
Do you have foot pain so severe that it makes it unbearable for you to walk around? Have you tried a bunch of different remedies that just don’t seem to work?
The key to solving your foot pain is first getting the right diagnosis. Here’s a look at some of the common causes of foot pain and how to treat them. However, before you try out any of these treatments by yourself, you should consult with your podiatrist.
Your feet carry you around every day, bearing your weight when you’re standing and helping you get to where you need to go. You might not think about your feet too often, that is until they start to hurt. Foot pain is a common problem among people of all ages.
A list of some of the possible causes of foot pain include:
Treatments for severe foot pain problems include:
It is important to consult with your podiatrist to make sure that you get a proper diagnosis for your foot pain. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie so that they can help you get rid of your severe foot pain for good.
At the end of the day, are your feet so sore that you can barely walk? Is this something that occurs on a regular basis? If so, then orthopedic shoes or inserts may be the right solution for you.
But before you run out to the drugstore to pick up some non-prescription inserts, here are some things that you need to know about what orthopedic shoes and inserts can and can’t do for you.
Orthopedic shoes are specifically designed to provide support and pain relief for people suffering with some type of leg, ankle, or foot pain. While most people tend to think of ugly shoes when they think of orthopedic shoes, today’s orthopedic shoe is a lot more fashion-friendly then they have been in the past, and are worn by people of all ages. The exact design for orthopedic shoes varies depending on the particular health problems of the wearer. There is no one design of orthopedic shoe that will work effectively on all types of foot problems.
Wearing orthopedic shoes is a good idea whenever there is any type of health issue that makes walking painful. All orthopedic shoes and boots share several characteristics, such as:
While the most popular type of orthopedic footwear is shoes and inserts, you can also buy orthopedic socks and slippers.
Just like orthopedic shoes, shoe inserts can help relieve a variety for ailments, including flat arches and foot pain. Shoe inserts work to cushion your feet, providing comfort and support to your arches. They can also help correct biochemical foot problems or cure long-standing foot issues.
The most common types of shoe inserts are:
Unlike non-prescription inserts, prescription custom orthotics are designed specifically to support and comfort your feet. Prescription orthotics can be divided into two categories: functional orthotics and accommodative orthotics.
Functional orthotics work to treat foot pain caused by abnormal motion and injuries, such as shin splints or tendinitis. Functional orthotics are generally made out of semi-rigid material, like plastic or graphite.
Accommodative orthotics are made out of softer material and are meant to provide additional cushioning and support. They can be used to treat uncomfortable conditions, such as diabetic foot ulcers and painful calluses on the bottom of the foot.
Some of the common types of foot pain that orthopedic shoes or inserts can help treat include:
While orthopedic shoes and inserts can do a lot to help your feet feel better, you should make an appointment with a skilled and knowledgeable podiatrist before purchasing your own orthopedic shoes and inserts. Consult with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today about which products will work best for your specific foot needs, and what else you can do to help alleviate your foot pain.
Do you often find that your feet crack and pop when you’re walking? Are you concerned about what the noises could mean? In most cases, painless cracking and popping isn’t something that you need to worry about. It’s when the cracking causes you pain that you should be concerned.
Here’s a quick look at some of the reasons that might be causing your feet to crack and what it could mean for you.
While painless cracking isn’t something that you have to really worry about, you may still be curious about what causes your feet to crack. Some of the things that may cause your feet to crack without causing you pain include:
In some cases, your feet making cracking sounds could be an indication of a greater problem. Some more serious problems that may cause your feet to crack include:
If you experience any pain or swelling in your cracking joints, then it’s important that you seek out medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today. With years of collective experience in their fields, they’ll be able to help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your feet to make cracking sounds and how the issue can be alleviated.
Over time, our bodies begin to wear down and our feet are no exception. Myriad changes occur to our feet as we reach our senior years. This includes muscular and skeletal changes, as well as skin and toenail changes, each coming with their own possible challenges. Here is an overview of some of the common foot issues that can come with age:
Most would assume that shoe sizes stay the same after puberty, but this is not the case. As we age our feet “spread,” which may alter the size of the shoe you should be wearing. Every time you go shopping for a new pair of shoes, you should measure your feet, both for length and width. If it seems like your shoes are growing less comfortable day by day, then you might want to make sure you aren’t outgrowing them.
One of the more obvious changes we undergo as we age is the thinning of skin. Our feet are no different; and since they are an area that is often subjected to frequent friction, they can see a lot of complications. Due to the weakening and drying of the skin, abrasions are common. Make sure to use moisturizer to keep your skin supple and soft.
Several types of keratosis can make your feet skin look as if it is cancerous or infected, but these raised pigmented bumps are usually benign. Any changes in your skin should be addressed by a physician, as some of these conditions may be masking a more serious affliction.
As the wear and tear on our joints adds up over time, arthritis begins to set in. Arthritis of the feet can be one of the most painful and debilitating forms of this condition, since the feet bear the weight of our bodies. Reduced bone density can also play a role in this type of joint pain.
The weakening of joints and bones can also lead to more frequent fractures and sprains, so it’s important to wear durable, supportive, and comfortable shoes.
Circulation problems are also more common with age. Issues with the veins in the legs can cause feet to swell, making shoes ill-fitting from day to day. Sometimes only a single foot will swell, other times both will. Hormonal changes and some medications can be the cause of these issues, as well.
An additional reason to wear shoes that fit correctly is bunions. Wearing narrow shoes can cause your big toes to press inwards, jutting out the joint and causing it to elongate and press on the skin. Bunions aren’t only caused by wearing small shoes, as there is also a genetic component to their formation. They can also form on your smaller toes, but they are more pronounced on the big toes.
Ill-fitting shoes and arthritis can also cause a condition known as hammer toe. Normally, our toes point outwards from our body, but a hammertoe causes them to point downwards towards the ground. This can affect any toe on the foot, and be quite painful. The physical cause of this downward turn is a dislocation of the middle joint in the toe. Dislocation can be caused by wearing tight shoes such as high heels; or factors such as injury, arthritis, or pressure from the aforementioned bunions.
A specific type of arthritis, gout is caused by having too much uric acid in the blood stream. While this doesn’t cause symptoms in all patients, in certain individuals these high levels of uric acid cause crystals to form on the joints, usually the big toe. Gout manifests in sudden attacks of pain in the big toe until it is treated. Risk factors for gout include being overweight and having a diet high in meat and alcohol.
Gout is usually somewhat obvious by its visible effects on the big toe, causing swelling and redness. Steroids can stop a sudden gout attack, and there are long-term treatment options as well for chronic gout.
As with any part of the body, investing in your foot health is essential to ensure that your feet age gracefully alongside you. To keep your feet fit for years to come, schedule a consultation with trusted podiatrists Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center.
Do you have a rash on your feet, but you can’t seem to figure out what’s causing the problem? Not surprisingly, there are many different things that can cause a foot rash to occur, including something occurring near the foot itself or a body-wide condition. A foot rash can affect a small area, be short-lived and mild, or it may spread further up the leg, returning frequently and be painful or itchy. Some foot rashes are also highly contagious.
The first step in treating your foot rash is getting the right diagnosis. Knowing exactly what is causing your foot rash can also help you prevent it from ever returning and turning into a chronic condition. Here’s a look at some of the things that can cause a foot rash, their symptoms, and how to treat them.
Some of the other, less common causes of foot rash can include:
Before you try to treat your foot rash at home, it is important to get the right diagnosis to determine the cause of your foot rash. Book an appointment with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today, so that they can help you figure out the best treatment plan for your foot rash.
Do you ever find yourself walking on your toes because it’s too painful to plant your heel? Has your heel been sore for a while, but you just aren’t sure what’s causing the pain? Here’s a quick look at some of the causes of heel pain, why they occur, and how to treat them.
The most common causes of heel pain are Achilles tendinitis (back of the heel) and plantar fasciitis (bottom of the heel).
Some less common causes of heel pain include:
The first step to knowing what is causing your heel pain is to consult with an experienced doctor, so that you can get a proper diagnosis. Be sure to consult with Dr. Vikki and Dr/ Connie today. With years of collective experience in their fields, they will be able to help you get to the bottom of your foot pain.
Do you feel like there’s something wrong with your foot? It’s sore or itchy, but you just can’t seem to figure out what the problem is. Then it may be time for you to seek counsel from your podiatrist.
But before you book a consultation, here are some of the most common foot problems and what you need to know about them.
Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that tend to appear on the heels or balls of your feet (where you put the most pressure). In some cases, the pressure you apply can cause the plantar warts to grow inward beneath a hard, thick layer of skin.
Plantar warts are caused by an HPV (human papillomavirus) in the outer layer of skin. HPV strains that cause plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, and aren’t easily transmitted from direct contact with another person. They do, however, thrive in warm, moist areas, such as around swimming pools and locker rooms.
Most plantar warts go away on their own, although it might take a year or two. If you find that over-the-counter medications or home remedies aren’t helping get rid of your plantar warts, then you may want to ask your doctor about:
An ingrown toenail refers to a toenail that pierces the flesh of the toe, causing pain, inflammation, or infection. In more severe cases, it can also cause pus and bleeding. Most commonly, ingrown toenails affect the big toe.
There are many things that can cause a toenail to be ingrown, including:
To prevent ingrown toenails, you must first learn to cut your toenails properly. Cut your nails straight across and don’t cut too low at the edge (the corner of the nail should show above the skin). Cutting your nails after a bath or shower when the nail in much softer can also help. Good hygiene can go a long way in preventing ingrown toenails.
Corns and calluses form when excessive pressure on certain areas of the foot causes skin to thicken as a protective response to the friction of skin rubbing against a bone, shoe, or the ground.
Callus (callosity) is an extended area of thickened skin on the soles of the feet. Calluses are usually caused by an underlying problem (i.e. bone deformity), a particular style of walking, or inappropriate footwear.
Corns are caused by pressure or friction over bony areas, such as joints, and they have a central core that can cause pain if it presses on a nerve. There are five different types of corns: hard corns, soft corns, seed corns, vascular corns, and fibrous corns.
You can treat corns and calluses by occasionally gently rubbing a pumice stone over the tough skin when you’re in the bath. Also, applying moisture cream can help remove the thickened skin a little at a time. However, if you wish to have your corns cut, then you should see a podiatrist.
Athlete’s foot is a skin fungal infection that can lead to intense itching; cracked, blistered, or peeling areas of skin; redness; and scaling. Large painful fissures can also develop and the condition can spread along all five toes and to the soles of the feet, if left untreated.
Athlete’s foot can be caused by a number of fungal species, which you can pick up from someone else shedding affected skin (usually in places such as pools, showers, and locker rooms) or when you walk around barefoot. Athlete’s foot can also be passed through direct contact with someone who has the infection.
The best way to prevent Athlete’s foot is to make sure your feet are completely dry after washing them, before you put on socks and shoes. It can also help if you rotate between pairs of shoes, since damp shoes can take 24-48 hours to dry.
If you are unsure of what problem is ailing your foot, you should book an appointment with a knowledgeable podiatrist. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie, so that they can diagnosis your foot ailment and help you get on the right track to having happier, healthier feet.
Are you prone to bunions? Maybe they develop because of the shoes you wear or maybe you’re unlucky and they run in your family. Either way, bunions aren’t something that you have to live with forever.
But before you try some drastic home remedy, here’s a quick look at bunions and how to deal with them.
The most common type of bunion is an enlargement of the inner portion of the joint at the base of the big toe. This enlargement means that your big toe’s joint is misaligned or that you have an additional bone formation. The misalignment of the big toe causes it to point outward and rotate toward the smaller toes.
A less common type of bunion is located at the joint at the bottom of the pinky toe. This type of bunion is also known as a tailor’s bunion or a bunionette.
Bunions tend to affect a greater amount of women than men. This is most likely a result of the fact that women tend to wear tighter-fitting shoes, which can increase the risk of bunion formation. It has been reported that bunions are more prevalent in people who wear closed shoes than in barefoot people.
Bunions are a progressive deformity and will increase with time, if not properly managed, although the symptoms may or may not get worse.
Bunions tend to develop when the pressures of bearing and shifting your weight fall unevenly on the joints and tendons in your feet. This shift in pressure causes the big toe’s joint to be unstable, eventually causing the parts of the joint to mold into a hard knob that juts out.
Some of the causes of bunions include:
While not all bunions cause symptoms, some of the symptoms that bunions can produce are:
There are many ways that you can help alleviate the pain of having bunions, all of which can be placed into two categories: conservative treatment and surgical options.
Conservative treatment for your bunions includes:
Surgical options include:
If a diagnosis of your bunion is made early on, it is possible for the bunion’s development to be slowed and, in some cases, stopped with the proper supportive gear. Avoidance of athletic activities with improper shoe fit and toe pressure can also help prevent bunion symptoms to occur.
Some simple ways to help prevent bunions are:
Before trying any conservative methods, it is important that you get a proper diagnosis from your podiatrist to determine what your best options are for dealing with your bunions. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie, so that they can help you deal with your bunions properly. With years of collective experience in her field, Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie are your go-to team in helping you make the right decision about how to get rid of your bunion pain.
Do you have a wart or warts on your feet, but you don’t know how to get rid of them? You may be surprised to learn that, in most cases, you should be able to treat those pesky warts by yourself. Here’s a quick look at the different types of warts and how you can treat them.
Warts can occur in a variety of shapes and sizes, appearing either as a bump with a rough surface or as flat and smooth. Some of the different types of warts include:
Home treatment is often the first treatment for warts, usually proving to be less painful than surgical treatment. Some home remedies include:
Home treatment for plantar warts differs from treating other types of warts. You can reduce the pain caused by plantar warts by:
If you find that home remedies aren’t doing the trick with getting rid of your warts, then you should consult with your doctor about cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy is a standard treatment for warts that can be done in a doctor’s office in less than a minute. Cryotherapy involves freezing a wart using a very cold substance (liquid nitrogen), which is usually applied using a probe or a cotton swab. You may have to undergo cryotherapy one to four times, with one to three weeks between each treatment, before your warts go away.
Pain from cryotherapy can last up to three days, although healing is generally quick (seven to 14 days) with little to no scarring. There is also a small chance of infection occurring from cryotherapy.
The main way to prevent warts is to avoid contact with HPV (the human papillomavirus). Tips for avoiding HPV include:
Tips on preventing warts from spreading include:
It is not odd for people to confuse warts with other skin conditions, such as skin tags or moles, and it is important to make sure that you have a correct diagnosis before you start home treatments. Book a consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie so that they can help you get the right diagnosis and the best treatment plan for your foot warts.
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