Items filtered by date: April 2023

Blisters on the feet are often a result of the shoes rubbing against the skin. Additionally, friction blisters may also be a result of wearing socks that do not fit correctly. For example, sock blisters can form when harsh materials in the sock interact with the foot. Specifically, wool is a material that may cause blisters to develop. Despite the fact that socks can sometimes cause foot blisters, the right pair of socks can also prevent them from forming. Since sweat on the feet can make the feet more susceptible to developing blisters, it is suggested that moisture-wicking socks are worn that will help keep the feet drier. When it comes to selecting a good pair of socks, it is beneficial to inquire about the quality of the sock. If you are currently living with blisters on your feet, and are looking for effective prevention methods, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today for information and treatment. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. 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 Derry, NH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle pain is possible to have when there is no obvious injury that has occurred. It may be the result of an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, or from various types of arthritis. These can include gout, reactive arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some people can experience ankle pain from having flat feet and Achilles tendonitis, which may happen gradually from wear and tear of the Achilles tendon. Some people may have ankle pain from an existing infection, such as streptococcus, which can affect the ankle bone and surrounding joints. An examination is often performed to determine the cause of the ankle pain. This is done by having an ultrasound or CT scan, which are successful methods for viewing joint or bone damage. If you have ankle pain for any reason, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer you the correct treatment solutions.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Infection, swelling, and pain can accompany an ingrown toenail. Genetic reasons may cause this foot condition, or it may happen from wearing shoes that are too tight. An ingrown toenail is defined as the nail growing into the skin instead of over it, and it generally affects the big toe. It may also develop from cutting the toenails incorrectly, or if there has been a foot injury. An ingrown toenail that is first noticed may feel better when the foot is soaked in warm water for several minutes. This can make it easier to gently pull the nail away from the skin by using a small piece of cotton. Severely infected nails are often treated by a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose this condition, and offer helpful prevention methods. If you are afflicted with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you consult with this type of doctor who can prescribe medication, and possibly perform minor surgery for permanent relief.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Individuals who take good care of their feet often do so with the use of several different self-care tools. For example, an individual might care for their feet with nail clippers and lotion. Importantly, an individual who is serious about caring for their feet might also have what is known as a pumice stone. This tool is essentially a stone that is used to gently remove dead skin, calluses, and corns on the feet. It can be easy to misuse this tool, however. When using a pumice stone on your feet, you may consider not applying too much pressure to the feet, as this can cause skin abrasions and bleeding. When applying too much pressure with a pumice stone, an infection may become likely. Instead, an individual can apply this tool gently to slowly reduce the calluses and corns. If you are someone that wants to use a pumice stone, then it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today. 

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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