A blood blister is a raised section of skin filled with red fluid that begins as a light red color and becomes darker. It is similar to a blister caused by friction that fills with clear liquid. A blood blister will usually disappear in a week or two and should cause little concern. Usually, the pain associated with a blood blister comes from the action that initially caused it. A blood blister can form on the feet where the skin is pinched but does not break open. It can result from factors such as poorly fitting shoes that pinch the skin, sweaty feet that cause extra friction, or severe frostbite. People should wear well-fitting shoes and keep their feet dry to avoid blood blisters. If a blood blister develops, the area should be kept clean, and the blister should not be popped. If there is no apparent reason for the onset of a blood blister, if it does not clear up on its own, repeatedly returns, or if there are signs of infection, consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose any unusual or underlying problems and provide necessary treatment.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail generally causes pain and discomfort, and it can be unsettling to a parent if their child develops this foot condition. It occurs as a result of a toenail that grows into the skin, instead of over it. Babies' toenails are soft and curved, and can easily grow into the side of the skin, and if this happens, it will typically become red and swollen. An infected ingrown toenail can produce pus or yellow fluid, and it may cause pain while walking or crawling. Soaking your child’s foot in warm water may bring mild relief, and it may help to gently massage the nail and surrounding area. The chances of getting an ingrown toenail may be reduced when effective prevention methods are practiced. These can include trimming the nails straight across, and avoiding cutting them too short. Additionally, gently pulling the skin away from the nail may be done after a bath, when the nails are soft. If you would like more information about how to protect your child from getting an ingrown toenail, please confer with a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Onychomycosis, which is the medical name for toenail fungus, can be unsightly. It is a fungus that affects the nail from underneath and can happen frequently from visiting places where it lives and thrives. These can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. The fungus enters the body through small cracks in the skin and it is suggested to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas. Common symptoms that many patients experience with toenail fungus can include toenails that have become brittle and yellowed, and in severe cases, the nail may fall off. There are certain groups of people who may be prone to developing toenail fungus. These can consist of patients who have diabetes, poor circulation, or who are over sixty-five years of age. If you have symptoms of toenail fungus, it is advised that you visit a podiatrist who can extract a sample of the nail and helps determine a correct diagnosis. This is followed by applying the correct treatment methods which may include prescription medications.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

When an individual breaks their foot, there are two ways in which they can endure a fracture. First, one can suffer a direct injury from a high impact activity or from some kind of blunt force trauma (i.e. falls, collisions, etc.). Second, an individual can endure a stress fracture from repeated overuse in physical activities. Regardless of the cause of the broken foot, medical attention ought to be immediately sought out. Sometimes it may be difficult for an individual to recognize that their foot has been broken. However, if you notice foot pain after a fall or some kind of impact injury, it is recommended that you contact a podiatrist as soon as possible. Upon receiving medical attention, your doctor may take an X-ray of the foot, especially if there is tenderness in key areas or if the patient can not bear weight on the affected foot. To detect a stress fracture, a doctor may choose to perform an MRI, as this procedure helps identify bone edema, which develops before a stress fracture. Contact a podiatrist today if you believe you have broken your foot. 

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The purpose of sweating is to regulate the body’s temperature. When this happens excessively, it’s known as hyperhidrosis. Most of the millions of people affected by this condition often feel a loss of control because sweating can occur independent of physical exertion. It may begin in childhood and is thought to be a genetically inherited condition. In severe cases, sweat can drip from the feet, possibly causing social situations to be uncomfortable. Anxiety, depression, infections and skin irritations may occur, resulting in difficulty in handling this condition psychologically. Typically, it helps to identify specific conditions that lead to excessive sweating. To reduce discomfort, keeping the feet dry is advised. Medications and surgery are possible treatment options to regulate this disorder. Please consult with a podiatrist if you have questions about excessive sweating from the feet.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.