Items filtered by date: March 2022

Many patients experience the uncomfortable foot condition that is referred to as cracked heels. It can be caused by living in a dry climate or it may develop from specific medical conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, patients can have cracked heels from wearing shoes that have an open back. Relief may be found when the feet are washed and dried thoroughly, followed by using a good moisturizer. It can help to drink plenty of fresh water daily, in addition to wearing shoes that are made of breathable materials. Cracked heels can become painful so it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer you correct treatment solutions.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Harvey Jacobs, DPM from Quality Foot Care Center. 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 Somerset, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many parents choose to have their babies wear shoes, despite the fact that research has indicated that shoes are unnecessary to wear until walking begins. At this time, the first shoes often consist of having a flexible and non-slip sole, in addition to fitting correctly. The shoe is ideal when it fits securely on the foot. This can be helpful in preventing stubbed toes, splinters, or broken toenails. There are certain foot conditions that children can develop that require the expertise of a podiatrist. If your child has ingrown toenails, walks on their toes, or doesn’t walk by 15 months, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Harvey Jacobs, DPM of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

A blister is a sac of fluid that develops in the upper layer of your skin when a body part, typically a toe, rubs against a hard surface like the side or top of a shoe. This is the body’s way of protecting the toe from injury. While most blisters are clear, if one becomes infected it may fill with blood or a yellowish-green pus. Generally, a blister will heal itself in a few days, especially if the activity that caused it is stopped. For instance, if you are walking for long periods in hard leather shoes, and a blister develops, it’s a good idea to change to a more open type of shoe. It's never wise to pop a blister, as that can leave you open to serious infection. If it bursts on its own, avoid removing the dead skin, but gently wrap the area in sterile gauze until it heals. Any time a blister becomes extremely painful or appears to be infected, it is important to consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for appropriate treatment options.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Harvey Jacobs, DPM of Quality Foot Care Center. 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 Somerset, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The cuboid is a small, wedge-shaped bone located along the outside of the midfoot. This bone helps keep the foot stable and allows it to move properly. Runners sometimes find themselves with cuboid injuries due to the repetitive stress placed on the feet as they hit the pavement. When the cuboid bone is injured, it can make it extremely painful to run, walk, or even stand on the affected foot. The bone may become misaligned, causing a sharp pain in the foot, swelling, redness, tenderness, and weakness. Runners should rest the injured foot and refrain from running or other high impact exercise for a period of time to allow the injury to heal fully. If you are suffering from foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Harvey Jacobs, DPM from Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Peripheral neuropathy causes damage to the nerves outside of the spinal cord and brain, which can result in a host of symptoms, starting in the feet. You may have peripheral neuropathy if you feel tingling or pins and needles in your feet. You may also experience stabbing, shooting, or burning pain in your feet, which tends to be worse in the evening. Your feet may feel numb, weak, or “dead.” They may even be so sensitive that the bed sheets brushing against your feet causes pain. You may have difficulty sensing temperature in your feet, or you may get the sensation of wearing socks even if you are barefoot. In some cases, you may develop ulcers (open wounds) on your feet or legs. While there is no cure for nerve damage, you can help prevent the condition from worsening by keeping blood glucose levels in target range. A podiatrist can also help you keep your feet and legs as healthy as possible and help manage the pain and discomfort caused by peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Harvey Jacobs, DPM from Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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