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When skin becomes damaged due to friction, a small bubble of fluid can form in the epidermis in order to protect the layers of skin beneath it which allow the skin to heal. Blisters are typically filled with a clear serum, but in some cases where there is excess pressure or friction, the sac may fill with blood. If the blister becomes infected, pus may collect in the blister. An infected blister may also become red, swollen, or painful. Most blisters will heal on their own if they are left alone, allowing the new skin to grow underneath it. Blisters should not be popped, as they provide a protective barrier that keeps bacteria away from the damaged skin to ward off further damage and infection. Wearing shoes that fit properly and are flexible can go a long way in avoiding blisters from forming. Socks that are clean and keep moisture away from the skin are also beneficial, as moist skin can blister more easily. If a blister becomes infected, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can help cure the infection, help your skin to heal, and offer preventive methods to avoid the formation of blisters.
Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. of Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Foot Blisters
Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can 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.
Symptoms
(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)
Prevention & Treatment
In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Blisters are pockets of fluid that occur under the top layer of your skin. These fluid pockets are usually filled with pus, blood, or serum. Blisters may itch or hurt and can appear as a single bubble or in clusters.
The most common types of blisters are friction blisters. This type of blister may be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. Friction blisters can also occur on the hands. A change in temperature may also cause blisters on the feet. In the freezing air, frostbite on your toes can lead to blisters, as well as sunburn from hot weather.
The best way to treat a blister is to keep it clean and dry. Most blisters will get better on their own. Once the skin absorbs the fluid within the blister, it will flatten and eventually peel off. You should avoid popping your blister unless you podiatrist does it for you. Additional treatment options include applying an ice pack to the blister or using over-the-counter blister bandages to cover the affected area.
If your blister becomes discolored, inflamed, or worsens it is advised that you speak to your podiatrist. Blisters that are yellow, green, or purple may be infected and require immediate medical attention. Blisters that are abnormally colored may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition such as herpes.
Ankle pain is usually either injury/trauma-related, or due to a medical condition. Along with pain you may experience swelling, redness, bruising, numbness, stiffness, weakness, and the ankle may not be able to sustain any weight being placed on it. If ankle pain is present due to an injury, it can range from not serious, to moderately serious, to serious. Ankle pain/inflammation that is not serious usually fades quickly after the injury and responds to anti-inflammatory drugs, icing, and rest. Moderately serious ankle pain will typically last longer, however there may be no obvious injury. Serious ankle pain should be considered an emergency. Along with presenting an obvious injury or deformity, it is usually accompanied by redness and swelling. Typical ankle injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and Achilles tendon injuries. Medical conditions that contribute to ankle pain include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bacterial infections, tumors, Osteochondritis dissecans, fibromyalgia, and more. Any pain in your ankle that lasts for more than a couple of days should be checked out by a podiatrist who has the experience and skills to diagnose and treat your condition.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley 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:
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 one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Pain experienced in the ankle can be caused by a multitude of conditions. While the most common cause is an ankle sprain, other possible problems can include arthritis, gout, ankle instability, an ankle fracture, nerve compression, or tendinitis. In more serious cases, ankle pain can be a sign of improper alignment of the foot or an infection.
Ankle pain can often be accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the affected area. Pain can be described differently depending on the condition: short, stabbing pain and a dull ache are some examples. If such symptoms are persistent and do not improve after time, be sure to schedule an appointment with your local podiatrist.
Depending on the condition causing your ankle pain, different treatments may be prescribed by your podiatrist. For ankle sprains, the first step in treatment involves rest, ice, elevation, and compression. Be sure to avoid placing pressure on the ankle, use an ice pack several times a day, and use a compression bandage and elevation to reduce swelling. Other, more serious conditions may require the assistance of certain drugs and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, or even cortisone injections.
Depending on the severity of your ankle pain and the condition behind it, recovery from ankle pain may take some time.
Consult with your foot and ankle doctor to best determine the cause of your ankle pain and the appropriate treatment.
Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!
A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue and can develop throughout the body. In the foot, the most common neuroma is a Morton’s neuroma; this typically forms between the third and fourth toes. The thickening of the nerve is typically caused by compression and irritation of the nerve; this thickening can in turn cause enlargement and, in some cases, nerve damage.
Neuromas can be caused by anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve. A common cause is wearing shoes with tapered toe boxes or high heels that force the toes into the toe boxes. Physical activities that involve repeated pressure to the foot, such as running or basketball, can also create neuromas. Those with foot deformities, such as bunions, hammertoes, or flatfeet, are more likely to develop the condition.
Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include tingling, burning, numbness, pain, and the feeling that either something is inside the ball of the foot or that something in one’s shoe or sock is bunched up. Symptoms typically begin gradually and can even go away temporarily by removing one’s shoes or massaging the foot. An increase in the intensity of symptoms correlates with the increasing growth of the neuroma.
Treatment for Morton’s neuroma can vary between patients and the severity of the condition. For mild to moderate cases, padding, icing, orthotics, activity modifications, shoe modifications, medications, and injection therapy may be suggested or prescribed. Patients who have not responded successfully to less invasive treatments may require surgery to properly treat their condition. The severity of your condition will determine the procedure performed and the length of recovery afterwards.
When a digital nerve leading to the toes becomes repetitively irritated, thickened scar tissue can form around it—entrapping the nerve and causing pain or numbness in the ball of the foot, or the feeling that you are walking on a marble or pebble. This condition is known as Morton’s neuroma—a condition named after a 19th-century American surgeon, Thomas George Morton. Morton’s neuroma most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes, although it can also affect the nerve running between the second and third toes. Morton’s neuroma can often be caused by wearing shoes that are narrow or tight in the toe box and squeeze the toes together. A podiatrist may treat Morton’s neuroma with a variety of methods to offload pressure on the irritated nerve, along with icing and resting, custom orthotics and shoe modifications, and anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and help the nerve to heal.
Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. of Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.
What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Neuropathy is the weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet due to damage to the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves are responsible for sending information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Causes of Neuropathy include: traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, exposure to toxins, and diabetes.
Diabetes is the most common cause, with more than half of the diabetic population developing some type of neuropathy. There are several types of neuropathy and they vary based on the damage of the nerves. Mononeuropathy is classified as only one nerve being damaged. When multiple nerves are affected, it is referred as polyneuropathy. One of the types of polyneuropathy is distal symmetric polyneuropathy. It is the most common for people with diabetes and starts when the nerves furthest away from the central nervous begin to malfunction. The symptoms begin with pain and numbness in the feet and then they travel up to the legs. A rarer form of polyneuropathy is acute symmetrical peripheral neuropathy, which is a severe type that affects nerves throughout the body and is highly associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system and can be fatal. Although there are many types of neuropathy, most of them share the same symptoms such as pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, dizziness, and digestive problems. Since neuropathy affects the nerves, those affected should be careful of burns, infection and falling, as depleted sensations disguise such ailments.
The best way to prevent neuropathy is to manage any medical conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, or rheumatoid arthritis. Creating and managing a healthy lifestyle can also go a long way. Having a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can keep the nerves healthy. These types of food have the nutrients to prevent neuropathy. Regularly exercising can help as well, but it is best to consult with a doctor about the right amount. In addition to diet and exercise, avoiding risk factors will also prevent neuropathy. This includes repetitive motions, cramped positions, exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking and overindulging on alcohol.
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that is caused by high blood sugar levels. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy most frequently affect the lower limbs and can include pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and loss of sensation. People with diabetic neuropathy are also at an increased risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers, open wounds on the feet that are difficult to detect (due to a loss of sensation) and that heal slowly and poorly. Other than managing your blood sugar levels, the best way to prevent complications from diabetic neuropathy is to perform daily foot checks. Inspect your feet for any changes, such as cuts, scrapes, sores, wounds, discoloration, pain, or altered sensations. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.
Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:
Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.
Treatment
To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.
Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
