Dry Foot Treatments

Dealing with dry feet can be painful and irritating. When your feet don't get enough moisture it causes the skin to dry and this can lead to cracked heels, dry skin patches, calluses and other uncomfortable conditions. If not treated properly dry feet can worsen and the cracks in the skin can deepen and pose a risk for infection from bacteria. In addition to being unhealthy, dry feet are also unsightly and women who suffer from dry feet are reluctant to wear flip flops and strappy shoes out of embarrassment. If you are concerned about the dryness of the skin on your feet consider some easy tips for keeping feet properly moisturized to reduce the chances of cracked heels and calluses.

A lack of moisture can be due to dehydration. One way to combat dry feet and cracked heels is to drink plenty of water so your body stays well hydrated. However, moisturizing skin doesn't mean soaking in water. In fact, the more you expose your feet to warm or hot water in a bath tub or shower the more likely you are to dry the skin. Try to keep your bath and shower time to a minimum and avoid water that is too hot. If you do want to soak your feet use warm water and add honey or baby oil to it for a soothing remedy that can help heal cracked skin.

You should moisturize your feet at least twice day with a hypoallergenic lotion. Gently rub the lotion over your feet and make sure you apply a liberal amount to dry patch areas and cracks. You can also use petroleum jelly and lotions that contain vitamin E, shea butter and aloe to help soothe the irritation caused by dry, cracked skin. In addition to moisturizing your feet daily you also need to keep the soles clean. Dirt and bacteria will worsen any dry skin condition and the more you cleanse your feet the better since the skin will be healthier and smoother making it more comfortable to walk.

Exfoliating your feet is also recommended for healing dry skin and cracked heels. By removing dead skin cells you revitalize the feet and rejuvenate the skin by revealing new skin layers. All parts of the body shed dead skin but people often overlook the feet and this can lead to an accumulation of dead skin that will only worsen conditions of dry feet and cracked heels. By taking careful steps to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the skin on your feet you can alleviate dry skin.

Talking to a Foot Surgeon About Bunions

With the help of a foot surgeon, you can get relief from a bunion. This abnormal bump that pushes your big toe up against the others can be painful and frustrating. The joint ends up going in the opposite direction, away from its normal alignment. Instead of solving the problem or providing any relief, this causes even more pain as the joint gets larger and the toes get even more crowded. At some point, it makes sense to consider surgery.

Symptoms

Once a bunion begins, the pain and frustration alone are enough to send you running into the office of the closest foot surgeon. The bulging of the big toe begins to change the shape of one of your feet, making it difficult to find comfortable shoes. Without a shoe on, the toes are crowded; when you try to put any type of shoe on, the crowding is worse and the pain is often unbearable. There are not a lot of place that a person can go without wearing shoes.

The overlapping of the toes often creates corns and callouses that ensure that patients feel pain throughout the foot. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of relief when it comes to the pain and eventually the big toe loses some of its mobility. When that happens a person needs to talk to a foot surgeon as soon as possible to ensure that he or she gets some type of relief.

The Surgical Procedure

A foot surgeon will talk to the patient about the type of anesthetic that will be used. Some patients are okay with just a local anesthetic while others needs to have some type of sedative to make sure that they feel comfortable with the procedure. Once the area is numb, it is time to go in and make adjustments to the big toe. There are multiple ways that the operation can be handled and it is important that both the doctor and patient talk about which procedure will be used and how it will affect the person's feet.

It is possible for the operation to remove the area of the toe that is bulging out. This is called a bunionectomy and it only takes about an hour to have the work completed. Other patients opt for realignment of the ligaments, removal of some of the bone of the toe, or a fusion of the big toe joint. In some cases, if the bunion is severe enough, it may require that an implant be inserted or a completely artificial joint.f.

Your Feet Are Your Foundation - Keep Them Healthy

Most people suffer from foot pain at some point in their lives. Foot problems can be very annoying because you are always on your feet. A simple walk in the park becomes frustrating and painful. Your feet are your foundation- they are the major weight-bearing part of your body. It is important to maintain their health. Because your feet can be affected by many ailments, it is good to be knowledgeable about the different types of foot conditions and their treatments.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes flaking, scaling, and itching in the affected areas. This condition is usually contracted in communal areas where people walk barefoot. These include showers and bathhouses. It can also be spread by sharing footwear with an infected person (make sure you think twice before sharing your flip flops!). To avoid this condition, be conscious of your environment and wear flip flops to protect your feet so they are not exposed. If you do contract athlete's foot, you should contact your podiatrist. They will likely provide you with a topical cream to apply to the infected area. The symptoms should begin to subside after several weeks of treatment.

Heel pain is another common foot condition. When you walk long distances, you are putting a large degree of stress on each foot. When you play sports, you put even more stress on your feet. All of this stress can sometimes cause heel pain. Common causes of heel pain are decreased circulation, heel spurs, and insufficient shock absorption. A sore heel can usually get better on its own with the appropriate rest. However, because many people ignore the early warning signs of heel pain, the condition becomes more severe. You should see your podiatrist if you experience heel pain so you can avoid prolonging the condition and potentially causing more lasting, chronic problems. Treatment for heel pain can involve using a heel insert, stretching your Achilles tendon, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, and simply icing the back of the heel.

Arch pain can result from ligament sprains, direct force trauma, muscle strains, stress fractures, and several other factors. Tenderness and pain on the bottom of the foot are common symptoms of arch pain. When you first begin to notice discomfort in this area, you should rest it and treat yourself with ice, compression, and elevation. Rest and elevation will reduce and potentially prevent any swelling in the area. If the pain and tenderness continues, your podiatrist can provide further treatment.

Your feet are your foundation. Pain in the feet can lead to pain in other areas of the body such as the knees and legs. Maintaining great foot health is a great step towards overall health and wellness. If you experience any of the above problems or any other foot condition, be sure to get the issue handled. Your podiatrist can treat your foot condition and help prevent any unnecessary chronic issues.