Cracked heels are certainly not the most serious or dangerous condition that can affect your feet, but they can still be nonetheless annoying and uncomfortable. It is important to note that as individuals age they can be more and more susceptible to developing cracked heels. Many things can explain this phenomenon. For one thing, the elasticity that is in the skin can significantly decline as an individual gets older. This can be a contributing factor to cracked heels. The extent to which an older individual can produce moisture in the feet is also significantly lower than almost any given younger person. This is another major potential contributing factor to cracked heels. If you are someone that struggles with cracked heels, be sure to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today who can help you manage your condition and address the problem.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Anas Khoury, DPM from North Eastern Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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

People who have endured gout attacks cannot ignore the pain that often accompanies this foot condition. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis and generally develops in the joints of the big toe. It happens as a result of excess uric acid in the blood, which may come from genetic reasons, or from eating foods with large amounts of purines. These types of foods can include shellfish, red meat, or drinks that are made with large amounts of sugar. This can cause uric acid crystals to form, often beginning in the big toe. People who have endured gout attacks for several years may develop tophi, which are uric acid deposits resembling small lumps under the skin of the affected toe. Gout may eventually resolve naturally.  Many people choose to contact a podiatrist who can perform an effective diagnosis and offer treatment methods that are right for you. Additionally, this type of doctor is helpful in explaining how gout attacks can be prevented by implementing simple lifestyle changes. 

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Anas Khoury, DPM from North Eastern Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

The feet endure an enormous amount of stress and wear during the day, and it is common for many people to experience some type of foot pain throughout their lives. Each foot has 26 bones, several tendons, muscles, and ligaments that work in harmony, providing mobility to complete daily activities. Any number of foot conditions can develop which may range from having toenail fungus to cutting the toenails improperly. Additionally, corns are a painful nuisance that generally develops on the side of the pinky toe, and can alter the gait to accommodate for the discomfort. These can come from shoes that do not fit correctly, and bunions can fall into the same category. A bunion is defined as a bony protrusion that develops on the side of the big toe, causing the other toes to shift toward each other. Any type of foot pain is treated by a podiatrist, and it is strongly advised that you contact this type of doctor who can offer you the correct relief options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Anas Khoury, DPM from North Eastern Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

A heel fissure develops when the skin on your feet is so dry that cracks begin to form on the heels. The cracked skin also may become flakey and crusty and can develop into brown or yellow calluses caused by pressure on the back of the heels when you stand or walk. Although the cracks may at first be shallow, in some cases they deepen into heel fissures and cause pain and bleeding. The best way to deal with dry skin on the heels is to gently remove the dry skin with a pumice stone after a bath or shower and follow up with emollient cream to keep the heels moisturized. If cracked heels are left untreated, they can lead to infection, and the skin may form ulcers. A podiatrist can safely debride the dead skin and treat the affected area with antifungal and antibacterial medication to ward off any infection. Special orthotics can be inserted into your shoes with heel cups that help to keep the skin from cracking. For more information, or to have painful heel fissures treated, please make an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Anas Khoury, DPM from North Eastern Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Passaic, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.