The bottom of the foot is at risk for injury when walking, especially when barefoot. Even though the skin on the bottom of the feet is thick, it is still susceptible to being pierced with a foreign object. In medical terms, a foreign object is something in the body that should not be there. The skin naturally sheds its layers and therefore a foreign body may come out on its own, but it can also become embedded deeper into the bottom of the foot due to pressure and weight-bearing.
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Symptoms
Foreign objects in the foot are not normal and therefore often lead to infection, inflammation and pain. Redness around the suspected area and pain when walking is a sign of a foreign body. There may also be a presence of pus, blood or clear fluid draining from the site of injury and may or may not cause a visible bump to form on the surface of the skin.
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Causes
Footwear protects the bottom of the foot from an injury to the skin when walking inside and outside. Inside homes, shards of broken glass, hair, kitty litter and slivers can occur. Outside, feet can become pierced with slivers, rocks, pebbles and glass. The smaller the foreign body, the more difficult it can be to remove. Skin that is dry or too moist is weak and will be more susceptible to injury from a foreign body.
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Treatment
The goal of treatment of a foreign body on the bottom of the foot is thorough removal of the offending object. It is strongly recommended to see a primary care professional or a medical footcare clinician for safe and complete removal of a foreign body. This will lessen the risk for infection and will improve the treatment outcome. The surface of the skin should be cleansed with an antiseptic before removal. After removal, immediate relief is usually felt and healing can finally occur. The area should be cleansed and covered to prevent infection.
