Curing Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are a common foot problem. They occur when areas of skin on your heels become dry and thicken, forming calluses. Over time, these calluses can crack, causing discomfort or pain in the heel. Other symptoms associated with cracked heels include flaky skin, itching, bleeding, redness, inflammation, and foot wounds. Additionally, deep, painful cracks known as fissures can form on the heels. Fissures leave your heels at an increased risk of becoming infected. 

Cracked heels may be caused by standing for prolonged periods of time, walking barefoot or in open-back shoes, wearing poorly fitted shoes, taking lengthy hot showers, using harsh soaps to wash your feet, and living in a climate with cold temperatures or low humidity. Sometimes cracked heels can be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a vitamin deficiency, fungal infection, or psoriasis. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent cracked heels and to treat them when they occur. You may be able to prevent cracked heels by wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes with a closed back, wearing orthotic devices to pad your heels as you walk, or wearing padded socks. Keeping your feet exfoliated and moisturized is also a key step, in both prevention and treatment. Applying a thick moisturizer on the heels regularly is highly recommended. 

If you have chronic cracked heels, cracked heels that don’t respond to home treatment, or if you are diabetic or have peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Wearing Flip-Flops May Cause Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are a foot condition that can be common in the summer months. It can be unsightly and painful, and relief is often sought. Many people enjoy wearing flip-flops or backless shoes that can leave the skin on the heels exposed to the elements. Cracks that deepen in the skin are known as fissures, and if not treated promptly, may bleed and become infected. In addition to the above reasons why cracked heels can develop, there may also be medical reasons. These can include various forms of dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder. People who are overweight may be prone to incurring cracked heels, typically as a result of the added weight the feet must endure. Effective prevention methods can consist of washing and drying the feet thoroughly, followed by applying a good moisturizer. It is also beneficial to wear shoes that have a back, which can provide adequate protection for the heels. If you have cracked heels, it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist who can guide you toward the correct treatment options.

Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, can cause pain and discomfort. If your cracked heels are bothering you, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Dry, thickened skin around the rim of the heel is typically the first sign of cracked heels. While this condition is common and usually just a nuisance, some cases can be more severe. If left untreated and as more pressure is placed on the heel, the cracks become deeper and eventually walking and standing can be painful. These deep cracks or fissures can bleed and also become infected. Those with diabetes need to be especially careful as fissures could lead to diabetic foot ulcers. 

Causes

Cracked heels can be the result of several different factors, including: 

  • Dry skin

  • Taking long, hot showers or using harsh soaps

  • Standing for long periods of time

  • Walking barefoot

  • Walking in shoes with an open back, such as sandals or flip flops

  • Wearing shoes that do not fit properly

  • Living in a cold or dry climate 

  • Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis

Treatment

There are many at-home treatment remedies for cracked heels. Applying moisturizers to the heel can help hydrate the skin. Soaking your feet in warm water and exfoliating them with a loofah or pumice stone can help to buff away dead skin cells. If you are afflicted with cracked heels, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Prevention

You can prevent cracked heels by:

  • Avoiding standing in one position for prolonged periods of time

  • Wearing well-fitted shoes with a closed back

  • Washing your feet with gentle soaps and lukewarm water

  • Moisturizing the feet daily

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

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Why Live with Pain and Numbness in Your Feet?

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When getting ready for a trip to the pool, the beach, or the boardwalk during the summer months, you may slip on a pair of flip-flops. While wearing these shoes for short periods of time is typically not a problem, wearing flip-flops all day, every day, all summer long is not great for your feet. Frequent flip-flop wear is associated with a host of foot and ankle problems. 

Flip-flops are usually flimsy, providing no arch support to the feet. This can make foot pain more likely, particularly in the arches and heels. Your ankles, legs, hips, and even back can also be affected. Flip-flops also provide no protection from the elements or from injury. Cracked heels, direct impacts to the feet, and viral, fungal, and bacterial infections may be more likely to occur if you wear flip-flops often. 

Perhaps one of the biggest problems with flip-flops is how difficult they are to keep on your feet. As you walk with flip-flops on, several changes are taking place. Your gait, or walking pattern, shifts to shorter strides, and your toes grip the edges of the flip-flops to keep them on your feet. Over time, these changes can cause toe and foot deformities, such as hammertoes and bunions. You’re also more likely to slip and fall as your shoes flop on your feet and catch on things on the ground below. 

To learn more about the dangers of flip-flops, and for help finding alternative summer shoe options, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Dangers of Wearing Flip Flops

As convenient and cooling as flip flops are, they can also put the health of your feet in danger. Because flip flops provide little arch support and minimal protection, wearing them can increase the chances of a sprained ankle, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs. The thin soles on many pairs of flip flops also allow a greater likelihood of nails, glass, and other sharp objects poking through and into the foot. In some cases, a piece of the flip flop itself becomes embedded in the wound, and removing it may call for surgery. Because of their structure, flip flops necessarily result in the curling of the toes just to keep the shoes on. This may end up causing a permanent deformity of the toes, called a hammertoe. In this deformity, the middle joint of the toe sticks up. Then when regular shoes are worn, the hammertoe may begin to rub against the upper part of a shoe and cause pain. Because flip flops offer little to no arch support, the wearer steps flat, putting increased pressure on the ball of the foot. This can eventually cause inflammation and pain. If you have foot pain from regular or continued wearing of flip flops, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist who can determine the best course of treatment.  

Flip-flops, though they may seem harmless, are bad for your foot health. If you would like to learn more about the many problems that can be caused by frequent flip-flop wear, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Flip-flops are the quintessential summer shoe, seemingly perfect for the beach or pool. Unfortunately, these flimsy shoes are not a good choice when it comes to keeping your feet healthy. 

Frequently wearing flip-flops is associated with: 

  • Hammertoes

  • Bunions

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Heel spurs 

  • Cracked heels

  • Plantar warts

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Foot pain

  • Foot and ankle injuries

  • Gait changes

  • Leg, hip, and back pain

The best way to avoid these issues is to swap your flip-flops for more protective and supportive shoes. If you must wear flip-flops, wear them only for short periods of time. 

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

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Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are bony growths located underneath or at the back of the heel bone. When the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, or other tissues in the feet are chronically inflamed, heel spurs may form in response. Heel spurs are often asymptomatic, and most people who have them are not aware of them until they show up on an X-ray taken for other reasons. 

Nevertheless, some people do experience symptoms associated with heel spurs, particularly if they also have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. Symptoms may include local tenderness, heel pain, and pain while walking, especially on hard surfaces. 

Heel spurs are usually treated through conservative methods, such as resting and icing the heel, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear. If you suspect that you may have heel spurs, it is suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist.

Heel Spur Treatment

A heel spur is a calcium deposit that comes from excessive strain, friction, or pressure on the heel bone and can cause bony growths to develop under the heel or the sole of the foot. There are several things that can lead to these types of spurs including exercising, wearing shoes that do not fit well or wearing high heels, having flat feet or high arches, being overweight, and having arthritis. Having plantar fasciitis or another foot condition can also create heel spurs. Some heel spurs cause pain while others do not. If one has a heel spur, reducing friction on the heel is the first thing to tend to. Other conservative methods to resolve pain from a heel spur, include wearing shoe inserts, stretching exercises, and cortisone injections. These non-surgical treatments will help in most cases. If you suffer from heel pain and suspect you have a heel spur, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist for recommended treatment.

Heel spurs are bony outgrowths from calcium deposits. They occur at the back of the heel bone or underneath the heel bone and usually form in response to chronic irritation of the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia. They are often asymptomatic, but if you are suffering from heel pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms of Heel Spurs

  • Tenderness

  • Heel pain

  • Pain when walking

  • No symptoms

Diagnosis

Since heel spurs are often asymptomatic, they are usually only diagnosed when they are found on the heels incidentally during an X-ray taken for another reason. Nevertheless, if you have heel pain, and particularly if you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, it may be worth it to see if you have heel spurs too. 

Treatment

Unless they are causing symptoms, heel spurs typically don’t require any treatment. When they are symptomatic, treatments are typically conservative. They may include resting and icing the affected foot, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear, especially while exercising. 

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

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Elderly Foot Care

Like any other part of the body, the feet are vulnerable to wear and tear throughout our lives. As we age, our feet may require more care and attention. Elderly people are especially prone to developing a variety of foot problems, including dry skin, corns, calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, deformities, arthritis, fungal infections, and plantar warts. Additionally, systemic conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation can have noticeable effects on foot health. 

The first step to preventing foot health problems at any age is to establish a good daily foot care routine. Washing the feet with soap and warm water daily, then drying them thoroughly is very important. Applying a moisturizer to the soles of the feet can help prevent dry skin. When trimming the toenails, use nail clippers to trim them straight across. This can prevent painful ingrown toenails. Doing daily foot exercises and stretches can help maintain the strength and flexibility of the feet. 

A critical step of the daily foot care routine, especially for those who have systemic conditions like diabetes, is the daily foot inspection. Check your feet each day for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities. By catching and treating any foot problems early, you can prevent infection and other serious complications. A hand mirror can be used to help you see any hard-to-reach areas. 

Another important aspect of caring for your feet is wearing the right shoes and socks. Footwear should be comfortable, supportive, flexible, and made of breathable materials. For some people, orthotic inserts can help make shoes more comfortable. 

If you have any foot problems, or questions about maintaining the health of your feet, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Foot Care Tips for Seniors

Healthy feet provide a good foundation for the entire body. For seniors, it is particularly important to maintain the health of the feet because it will help with difficulties related to balance, mobility, and independence. The goal is for seniors to have comfortable and healthy feet. Over the course of one’s life, the feet flatten and become wider. The natural fat padding wears down, and the bones and joints are impacted more by wear and tear. Simple things like a foot blister, an ankle sprain, or an ingrown toenail can lead to a host of health-related conditions which can hamper the quality of life. Elderly foot care can be maintained by washing, drying, and moisturizing the feet daily, and trimming toenails as needed. This can be done properly by cutting them straight across which may help to prevent ingrown toenails. Additionally, examining the feet often to monitor potential problems is helpful. If you are a senior, it is suggested that you incorporate a chiropodist among your healthcare providers to make sure your feet remain in as good shape as possible through your elderly years.

Foot problems can become increasingly common as we age, making everyday foot care especially important. To learn more about maintaining proper foot health, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Foot Problems

Certain foot problems may be more likely to affect older adults. 

Some examples of foot conditions that can be common in older adults include: 

  • Dry, cracked skin

  • Calluses and corns

  • Blisters

  • Ingrown toenails

  • Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes

  • Fungal infections

  • Plantar warts

Systemic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, are also more likely to affect older people and manifest symptoms in the feet and ankles. 

Daily Foot Care Tips

Having a daily foot care routine can help detect problems early on and prevent future issues. 

Things that you can do at home to care for your feet include: 

  • Washing the feet daily with warm water, drying them thoroughly, and then applying a moisturizer 

  • Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown toenails

  • Performing daily foot exercises to improve foot strength and mobility

  • Wearing shoes when walking to avoid injury

  • Inspecting the feet daily for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities and seeking prompt treatment if any problems are discovered 

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

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Foot Pain

Foot pain is a common symptom of a large variety of injuries and medical conditions. A diagnosis can be narrowed down by describing the locations and type of pain that you are experiencing. 

Pain in the heel is often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis usually causes stabbing heel pains and the pain is at its worst upon arising in the morning or when taking your first steps after a long period of rest. Heel pain can also be caused by heel spurs, bruises on the fat pad of the heel, or heel fractures.

Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by Morton’s neuroma, in which the tissue of the nerves between the bases of the toes become thickened, causing tingling and numbness. Other causes of pain in the ball of the foot include metatarsalgia or sesamoiditis. 

Pain in the arch of the foot can be caused by plantar fasciitis or having flat feet or fallen arches. Pain in the toes can be caused by many conditions, including gout, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toe sprains or fractures, arthritis, and corns. 

To find out what is causing your foot pain, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose your condition and offer the appropriate treatments. 

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