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People who enjoy running are often familiar with blisters. Patients who get them often can generally feel when they are developing blisters and may wear running socks to prevent them. Blisters come from wearing shoes and socks that can cause excess friction and develop as the body’s natural defense to heal damaged skin. It is defined as a small area that resembles a bubble that is filled with fluid, and it immediately forms over the damaged skin. When new skin has formed, the blister will gradually drain as it is no longer needed. There may be existing medical reasons why people get blisters including eczema and psoriasis, in addition to having overly dry skin. A bunion may be the cause of blisters forming on the feet and this often happens from wearing shoes that are too tight. It is beneficial for people who run to gradually build up the skin on their feet as this may lead to getting blisters less often. If you frequently get blisters on your feet and would like to know more information about treatment and prevention, please confer with a podiatrist. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Individuals may experience pain in the toes for a multitude of different reasons. For example, toe pain may arise from problems in the bones or calluses that formed on the outside of the toes. One condition that can cause toe pain is known as lesions. These can develop on more than one toe, and sometimes on both feet. Lesions can cause pain during the day and create an extremely uncomfortable itching sensation throughout the night. Another important sign of lesions on the toes is swelling around the affected area and discoloration, which can essentially turn the toe into a purple tint. What can make toe lesions all the more troubling and uncomfortable is that wearing anything on the feet, from socks to shoes, can be extremely painful. Chilblains, a related condition, usually develop on the feet when blood vessels become inflamed as a result of exposure to cold temperatures. Some cases of toe lesions have also been identified in individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, although any kind of definitive, causal relationship between the two conditions remains to be seen. If you think that you are suffering from toe lesions, consider reaching out to a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

While the ankle joint is less likely to be affected by arthritis than other joints, when it is, it means that the tibiotalar joint – the joint between the shin bone and ankle bone – is worn out. The most common cause of this condition is a previous injury, such as an ankle fracture. In such cases, something called osteonecrosis can result from ankle injuries, where there is damage to the blood flow to a portion of the bone that can then lead to ankle arthritis. Other causes of ankle arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (which can cause joint inflammation and damage to the cartilage), infections of a joint leading to damage of cartilage cells, being overweight, placing a larger burden of weight on the ankle joint, and possibly genetic factors. The most common symptom of ankle arthritis is joint pain. Other indicators of this condition include stiffness in the ankle, swelling in the joint, bone spurs on the joint, deformity of the joint, and a feeling of instability in the joint. One is less apt to feel tingling and numbness in the feet and toes from ankle arthritis due to irritation of the nerves, but it can happen. Changes in footwear, adding cushioned inserts in shoes, using a brace to help hold the ankle in position, and modification of activity can relieve discomfort associated with ankle arthritis. Sometimes, however, surgery is necessary. If your ankle hurts and you feel you might have ankle arthritis, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and customized treatment.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to describe joint pain.  The condition itself can occur to anyone of any age, race, or gender, and there are over 100 types of it.  Nevertheless, arthritis is more commonly found in women compared to men, and it is also more prevalent in those who are overweight. The causes of arthritis vary depending on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis for example, is often caused by injury, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune system.

Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Decreased Range of Motion

Arthritic symptoms range in severity, and they may come and go. Some symptoms stay the same for several years but could potentially get worse with time. Severe cases of arthritis can prevent its sufferers from performing daily activities and make walking difficult.

Risk Factors

• Occupation – Occupations requiring repetitive knee movements have been linked to osteoarthritis
• Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to osteoarthritis development
• Infection – Microbial agents can infect the joints and trigger arthritis
• Joint Injuries – Damage to joints may lead to osteoarthritis
• Age – Risk increases with age
• Gender –Most types are more common in women
• Genetics – Arthritis can be hereditary

If you suspect your arthritis is affecting your feet, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist immediately. Your doctor will be able to address your specific case and help you decide which treatment method is best for you.

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