Items filtered by date: September 2017

While typically not as serious as some other conditions, cracked heels can be very uncomfortable for those who have them. Knowing the causes of cracked heels and what to look for allows you to prevent and treat them. Dry skin is one of the most common causes for cracked heels and generally occurs right before cracks develop. Moisturizing your feet will help prevent and alleviate this dryness. Too much pressure on your feet is another cause of cracked heels, so giving your feet a rest and wearing comfortable shoes will help prevent cracks. Athlete’s foot, psoriasis, and eczema can all lead to redness, flaky skin, peeling skin, and cracked heels. Athlete’s foot can typically be treated with antifungal spray. While psoriasis and eczema have no known cures, topical corticosteroids can help mitigate the effects that lead to cracked heels. Finally, for beach goers, sunburn can lead to cracked heels. Aloe Vera creams may also help soothe sunburned skin. If cracked heels lead to pain or do not go away, see a podiatrist for treatment and advice.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Peter C. Smith from Lancaster Podiatry. 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 Lancaster, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Our feet are an important part of our bodies and require good care to keep us going. Here are some common foot ailments and ways to treat them. A bunion, or the misalignment of the big toe, can be worsened by improper footwear, such as high heels or poorly fitted shoes. To prevent this, wear well-fitted and supportive shoes that provide ample toe space. Calluses and corns are caused by repeated friction on an area, which results in the buildup of hard skin. Preventing friction is the best way to stop both, so wearing quality socks and shoes that don’t rub up against the skin are best. If you do develop calluses or corns, it is recommended to see a podiatrist. Sometimes, viruses can enter the skin on our feet through tiny cuts or scrapes and cause verrucas, or plantar warts. Plantar warts are contagious, so it is recommended to see a podiatrist who can treat them. If you use public showers, wear shower shoes to prevent catching viruses and fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot. Ingrown toenails can occur if pressure is put on the nail or if the nails are cut too short. Athlete’s foot and fungal nails are both caused by fungi. While there are over-the-counter ointments that you can buy, podiatrists can prescribe better options. Finally flat feet, which are caused by fallen arches, can be taken care of with custom-made orthotics from a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Peter C. Smith from Lancaster Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder, Pedro Florimon, recently dislocated his right ankle during a game against the Miami Marlins. Florimon had to be taken off the field on a cart. The injury was severe enough to unfortunately end the rest of the season for him. This was Florimon’s first year with the Phillies, and he had been playing well with a batting average of .348. The Phillies already have two outfielders disabled, and the loss of Florimon will temporarily strain them.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Peter C. Smith of Lancaster Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

Many people will develop either a corn or callus on their foot at some point in their lives; but what are they? Corns and calluses are areas where the skin has thickened due to constant friction on the area. Corns are smaller and harder than calluses and usually develop on the toes. Calluses, meanwhile, are not usually painful compared to corns and usually occur on the bottom of the foot. Typically, either will go away if the source of friction is taken away. There are some at-home treatments that may help; however, you should consult a podiatrist first to see if they will be effective and appropriate for you. Soaking your feet can soften corns and calluses, as can moisturizers. Over-the-counter pads can help remove both but require caution in their use, as some pads contain salicylic acid—which should be avoided. Finally, one of the most important ways to prevent corns and calluses is to wear fitted and comfortable shoes that prevent friction against the area.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Peter C. Smith of Lancaster Podiatry. 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:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

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 Lancaster, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.