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April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022 00:00

Several Reasons Why Blisters Can Develop

Many Americans walk thousands of steps per day and blisters on the feet can develop if the shoes that are worn do not fit properly. Blisters generally develop as a result of excess friction, and often resemble a bubble that forms on the skin. It is filled with liquid that protects the damaged skin, as a new layer of skin forms over it. Blisters can make it uncomfortable to walk, and many people wear a protective covering over it until it is healed. Most of the time, it will gradually drain, as the new skin replaces the damaged area. There can be other reasons why blisters may form. These may include having an allergic reaction, or they may develop from medical conditions consisting of eczema or psoriasis. Additionally, an injury such as frostbite or burns may lead to getting blisters. If the blisters become infected, and do not drain, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can help you to manage and treat blisters.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of JB Jenkins & Associates. 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 Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Published in Blog
Thursday, 21 April 2022 00:00

A Common Treatment Option for a BrokenToe

Common causes of broken toes can include stubbing your toe against a piece of furniture or dropping a heavy object on it. Each toe consists of small bones and can abruptly break from sudden impact. It can be easy to notice a broken toe: Common symptoms  include severe pain, bruising, and swelling. Relief may be found when the affected foot is elevated, and this may help to reduce some of the swelling. Some patients find it helpful to tape the broken toe to the toe next to it. This is referred to as buddy taping and can be effective in providing necessary stability. It is suggested to stay off the foot, and to refrain from physical activity that requires walking. If you have broken your toe, please seek counsel from a podiatrist who can help you with correct treatment methods.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising on the skin and toenail
  • The inability to move the toe
  • Toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

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Published in Blog
Tuesday, 12 April 2022 00:00

How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Feet

Your baby will be depending on his or her feet for a lifetime, so it makes sense to begin their life trying to make sure their feet are properly cared for. Under most circumstances, babies are born with feet that are normal and healthy and good care can keep them that way. Things that can be done to keep baby’s feet in good condition include: allowing free and active movement to ensure good muscle development, barefoot crawling indoors so feet and toes continue to develop normally, frequent checking on the proper fit of socks and shoes (especially given how quickly they grow), washing their feet every day with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, and not rushing baby’s walking in any way, including providing walking aids, which might cause injury. Consulting with a podiatrist is suggested if anything concerning or questionable arises with your baby’s feet for immediate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations, e.g., toes turning in or out a lot, shoes wearing unevenly, rashes, bumps or lumps developing on their feet, or they complain of continual foot pain.  

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

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Published in Blog

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 05 April 2022 00:00

Pain in the Big Toe May Indicate Gout

Gout is known to be an excruciating, painful foot condition. It often affects the big toe, and can cause difficulty in walking. It develops as a result of a uric acid build-up in the joints of the big toe. This can happen as a result of genetic traits, or it may come from specific types of foods and drinks that are consumed in abundance such as red meat, shellfish, sugary drinks and alcohol. Symptoms can consist of swollen joints, tenderness, and the affected area may be red. In order to make a proper diagnosis, a podiatrist may extract a portion of fluid between the affected joints and view it under a microscope. This is an accurate method for observing urate crystals. Research has indicated it may be beneficial to drink cherry juice or skim milk, as this may provide mild relief. If you have any symptoms of gout, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can properly diagnose and treat this painful foot ailment.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

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