Items filtered by date: March 2022

Anyone who has worn shoes has, most likely, at some point developed a blister. Blisters are pockets of fluid that form between the top layer (epidermis) of skin and underlying layers of skin due to friction, heat, chemical, or other damage to the epidermis. A blister can sometimes darken when blood from broken vessels mixes with the blister’s normally clear serum. This is known as a blood blister. Newer blood blisters are usually red and, as time progresses, can turn to darker shades of red, purple, or even black. Blood blisters can form on your feet in areas that have been under extreme pressure or friction, or where the skin has been pinched without any breakage in the skin. Blood blisters are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you have a reoccurring blood blister, or one that feels warm or has red streaks radiating away from it — or if the blister appears suddenly without any apparent cause — it is wise to make an appointment with your podiatrist for an evaluation.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM of Texas. 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 offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

People often wear flip-flops in summer and warmer weather. These shoes often feel comfortable, but if worn too much and for long periods of time they can cause foot and body problems. The lack of support in flip-flops can lead to issues with foot arches and heels, including painful plantar fasciitis – an inflammation of the fascia on the bottom of the foot. Long-term pain in foot arches and heels can further lead to bone spurs or impact the way one walks, which can cause further problems with the knees, hips, and the back to develop. If pain in the feet results from wearing such shoes, a visit to a podiatrist is suggested to halt or treat serious issues from developing.

Flip-flops can cause a lot of problems for your feet. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

Flip-flops have managed to become a summer essential for a lot of people. While the shoes may be stylish and easy to slip on and off, they can be dangerous to those who wear them too often. These shoes might protect you from fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, but they can also give you foot pain and sprained ankles if you trip while wearing them.

When Are They Okay to Wear?

Flip-flops should only be worn for very short periods of time. They can help protect your feet in places that are crawling with fungi, such as gym locker rooms. Athlete’s foot and plantar warts are two common fungi that flip-flops may help protect your feet against.

Why Are They Bad for My Feet?

These shoes do not offer any arch support, so they are not ideal for everyday use. They also do not provide shock absorption or heel cushioning which can be problematic for your feet. Additionally, you may suffer from glass cuts, puncture wounds, and stubbed toes since they offer little protection for your feet.

More Reasons Why They Are Bad for Your Feet

• They Slow You Down
• May Cause Blisters and Calluses
• Expose Your Feet to Bacteria

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken toe can be surprisingly painful. We have probably all stubbed a toe while rushing around barefoot in the dark or trying to get somewhere too fast. When that happens, it hurts. Sometimes, after elevating the foot and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, the pain subsides and all is well. Other times, the toe is swollen or bruised, the pain persists, and it becomes hard to bear weight on the affected foot. Your toe bone may have come out of alignment and point at an odd angle, there may be a deep cut, and if a break heals improperly, other problems can develop. If the toe does not feel better in a day or two, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment so you can get back to normal functioning as quickly as possible.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Some babies are born with a foot deformity called congenital talipes equinovarus, better known as clubfoot. Instead of the foot being straight, it twists inward because the tissues that connect the foot to the leg are shortened. Generally, the heel points downward and the toes point inward; the affected leg is shorter; the Achilles tendon is tight; and the affected foot is shorter and wider than the other foot. This condition is not usually painful, but it can result in other problems as your baby grows older and begins to walk. Causes of clubfoot can include family history, use of tobacco and/or alcohol during pregnancy, and congenital conditions related to spinal cord development. The most common way to treat clubfoot in babies is to stretch the foot and place it in a cast over a period of months. However, in more severe cases, various surgeries may be required. If your baby is born with clubfoot, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a podiatrist who can help to develop a regular treatment program as soon as possible.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, can develop when skin on the heel dries out and becomes callused. This dried out skin can then crack when weight placed on the heel causes the fat pad under the heel to spread out. If these cracks are left untreated, they can deepen to the point where they bleed or even become infected. This is not only painful, but can be very dangerous—especially for individuals with diabetes. Certain factors—along with having dry, thickened skin—can contribute to the formation of cracked heels, such as standing for prolonged periods of time, going barefoot, wearing open-backed shoes, and carrying extra weight. Also, diabetes, hypothyroidism, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other conditions that can cause dry skin can be associated with cracked heels. Sometimes, cracked heels can be lessened by using topical water-retaining creams. If your cracked heels do not improve with regular moisturizing, if they are deep or bloody, or if you have diabetes, it is suggested that you seek professional treatment from a podiatrist.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. 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 offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.