Items filtered by date: December 2021

There are many causes of blisters, which are small sacs of fluid that form on the body. One of the main causes is new, tight, or ill-fitting shoes. The harder areas of the shoe can rub against your heels, soles, and toes, and if the friction is repeated for long periods, blisters often form. These become very painful, especially if you continue the activity. Excessive moisture or perspiration, which happens more frequently during warmer weather, may also cause blisters in runners. There are a few precautions you can implement to prevent blisters. Keep the feet dry and put powder on them to reduce sweating, as well as wearing moisture-wicking socks. Wearing softer, more flexible shoes can reduce the chance of a blisters formation and ceasing the activity will allow the skin time to heal on its own. If a blister pops open, is extremely large, or won’t heal, it is a good idea to seek the professional care of a podiatrist who can safely drain the area and help stave off infection.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. John P. Beaupied of Palos Podiatry. 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 Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Dermatophytes are the most common types of fungi that grow on the top layer of skin (epidermis) and enter it through small cracks. This condition, known as athlete’s foot, can cause scaly, itchy, and red skin. Severe cases of athlete’s foot can include very bad scaling and cracking in the skin, as well as blisters and a thickening of skin on the bottom of the feet. This may be particularly serious if you have diabetes. Athlete’s foot is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct contact with someone who has it, as well as by sharing their clothes, shoes, linens, mats or rugs. Warm, moist areas such as public pools, showers, saunas and locker rooms are a perfect breeding ground for dermatophytes, so walking barefoot in these areas should be avoided. In order to properly diagnose athlete’s foot, a podiatrist may need to take a sample of the fungi from your skin for testing. If you believe you have athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you seek treatment from your podiatrist, who may recommend prescription antifungal medicines and topical creams to get rid of your athlete’s foot and avoid a bacterial infection from setting in.

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 Dr. John P. Beaupied from Palos Podiatry.  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

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

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 Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If your feet always seem to be cold, especially at bedtime, you may be suffering from poor circulation in your lower extremities. When fatty deposits (plaques) build up within arteries (atherosclerosis), this can cause them to narrow and thereby reduce the blood supply. This condition, known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), can make your feet feel cold and cause pain in your calves. It can also make your feet look blue or purplish when sitting and white or pale when lying down. Cold feet can also occur in people who do not have enough body fat, which helps insulate the body. Small blood vessels then try to conserve heat by constricting, which causes toes and other parts of the body to feel cold or numb and turn blue followed by white. This is known as Raynaud's phenomenon. If your feet feel cold or numb, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible to assess the situation.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. John P. Beaupied of Palos Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
• Numbness or cramping in the legs 
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

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

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are open sores or wounds that often occur on the feet of people with diabetes. There are three main types of DFUs. Neuropathic ulcers constitute 90% of DFUs. They are associated with diabetic neuropathy and involve damaged nerves leading to a loss of sensation in the feet. Without sensation, it can be difficult to detect a wound until it has progressed. Ischemic ulcers are associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes poor circulation. Without adequate circulation, DFUs heal slowly and poorly. The third type of DFUs, neuroischemic ulcers, are caused by a combination of diabetic neuropathy and PAD. If you suffer from DFUs, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist. 

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 Dr. John P. Beaupied from Palos Podiatry. Our doctor 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 Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.