Items filtered by date: December 2022

There are several different types of blisters that can develop on the human foot for a variety of reasons. One of the most common kinds of blisters develops in response to friction or pressure. Sometimes, this kind of blister will develop due to an ill-fitting new pair of shoes and the rubbing it entails. If you are not careful, a blister can become infected. Infected blisters can be potentially uncomfortable and should not be taken lightly. You might be able to tell if you have an infected blister by how the blister looks. For example, an infected blister can often become filled with pus that is green or yellow in color. Importantly, the entire area on the foot that surrounds the blister might become red and even warm to the touch. Redness and a raised temperature are tell-tale signs of an infected blister. If you have any questions about infected blisters, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners 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 offices located in Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The majority of people are aware that maximum comfort in shoes starts with knowing what your correct shoe size is. This can be done by using a Brannock device, which is found in the majority of shoe stores. Many people choose to learn their shoe size at home by measuring their feet while standing on the floor, followed by using a sizing chart that can convert the inches into sizes. It is beneficial to learn about the different parts of the shoe. For instance, when buying boots, knowing the widest part of the shaft of the shoe can aid in choosing the right size. Additionally, running and walking shoes fit differently. Extra room is often needed in walking shoes, which will allow the muscles maximum room. Conversely, running shoes fit snugly, with a thumb’s width of space between the top of the shoe and the big toe. If you would like more information about how to get your correct shoe size, please confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Several different kinds of foot afflictions can distort how the bones of the feet are supposed to naturally look. Hammertoe is one such foot condition. This condition occurs when a toe is misshapen because it points upward at the middle joint. As a result, the hammertoe resembles a kind of hammer. After visiting a trusted medical professional such as a podiatrist, one can take steps to correct a hammertoe. For example, a hammertoe correction surgical procedure can straighten the toe. During this procedure, joint or bone tissue may be removed to facilitate the straightening of the toe. Also, affected tendons that are causing the bending of the toes might be loosened during this procedure. If you have a hammertoe, contact a podiatrist today to review your options for correcting the condition.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, PC. Our practitioners will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Gainesville and Dulles, VA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.