A blister is a common skin lesion that manifests as a bubble of fluid under the skin. The clear, watery liquid inside a blister is called serum. Blisters develop as a reaction to injured skin. If the blister remains unopened, the serum can provide natural protection for the skin beneath it. Medically speaking, small blisters are called vesicles and those larger than half an inch are called bullae. A blood blister is filled with blood, or a mixture of blood and serum.

How do foot blisters develop?

The most common cause of blisters on our feet are from friction, caused by wearing shoes that don’t fit well. The shoe may be too long, short, narrow, or wide. It might also mean that the toe box does not have enough depth or that the shape of the shoe is not appropriate for your foot type. Our skin has layers and when there is friction or trauma, the layers move on one another, and fluid collects in the affected pocket of tissue.

What are the other causes of foot blisters?

Allergies – Contact Dermatitis is the medical term for an allergic skin reaction. Certain fabrics, detergents, adhesives, soaps, plants, or creams can cause a rash with small blisters. A topical cream can be purchased over the counter or prescribed to help with the itch, redness, and discomfort.

Irritation – Chemical exposure or extreme temperatures leading to sunburns or frostbite can cause blistering. Trauma due to force, pinching or rubbing can also create a blister, or even a blood blister. It’s best to seek medical advice to make sure further complications are not a concern.

Infection – Bacteria, viruses and fungal infections can also cause blistering.  These infections can resemble each other and almost always require treatment with an anti-microbial medicine to avoid spreading.

Medications – Some medications can cause blistering as a reaction in the skin, or they may cause photosensitivity to the sun which can make you more susceptible to a sunburn. If you started a new medication and suddenly noticed blistering, contact your primary care provider right away!

Systemic Medical Conditions – Some autoimmune conditions may cause blistering such as pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis and various viral infections can also cause blisters to develop. Seeking the advice of a medical professional may be an opportunity to identify a condition that needs to be treated.

Come See Us!

Medical footcare clinicians such as BioPed’s Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can assess and treat skin conditions such as blisters. It is recommended you don’t pop blisters.  If the blister is suspected to be infected, your foot care clinician may drain it for you and treat it accordingly.  Your BioPed lower limb health care team will collaborate and recommend the best next steps for healing, which may also include a footwear assessment or biomechanical intervention to correct the way you walk and move about.

Give your local BioPed a call today to book an appointment!

The largest organ in the body is our skin. Made up of over 60% water, its main function is protection acting as a waterproof barrier that shields us from the elements in our environment, including chemicals and microorganisms. It regulates our body temperature and gives us the ability to feel things, such as hot and cold temperatures.

The skin consists of 3 layers:

1. Epidermis is the layer we see on the surface.
2. Dermis is the layer in the middle and is the connective tissue layer containing extracellular components, hair follicles, glands and collagen.
3. Hypodermis is the most inside layer containing adipose or fat tissue.

As a protective barrier, our skin is at risk for certain conditions and issues developing. To help maintain the health of the skin, maintaining moisture balance is key!  Skin that is too dry or too moist is weaker and therefore its integrity is compromised. When this happens, it is more susceptible to cracks and injury. Colder weather temperatures have less humidity and therefore skin may become drier.  As we endure winter weather in Canada, it is important to know how to keep your skin in tip top condition!

Dry skin is also known as xerosis (zr-ow-suhs) and can be rough, scaly, flaky, and often feels tight or itchy. Dry skin on our feet can be particularly problematic because of the large amount of weight, pressure, and stress they bear as we move about. The bottoms of the feet are prone to developing thickened skin due to pressure and friction, which can easily crack open if skin is dry. A crack in the skin breaches our protective barrier. Bacteria and other microorganisms can easily enter even the tiniest opening and may cause an infection that can threaten our overall health.

Dry skin left untreated may lead to problems

If your skin has painful cracks, open sores that just won’t heal, scratches caused by itchiness or discoloration, it is best to seek the advice of a foot care clinician.  BioPed has medical footcare clinicians who will assess your feet and skin, determine possible causes and provide treatment solutions. There could also be an underlying health issue that is causing your dry skin and together with your primary care professional, they can help get you back on the right track!

How can you achieve healthier skin at home?

1. Wash your feet daily using a mild soap and be sure to dry well in between your toes.
2. Wash with warm water, not hot, as it can be too drying.
3. While the skin is still moist, apply a moisturizer that contains urea, an effective skin softener.
4. Using a humidifier in your home will add moisture to the air in the winter months.
5. Eating a balanced diet will provide important vitamins and minerals that help keep skin healthy.
6. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help increase skin’s moisture level.

Come See Us!

These tips work best when done consistently and daily.  At BioPed, we have medical footcare clinicians that can assess your feet and provide tips on improving your skin health.  We also have effective skin care products to use at home as part of your daily routine.  A BioPed team member can help you find what you need.  We are here and ready to help you be more comfortable and do more in life!  Give BioPed a call today!

Our feet are incredible structures that play a crucial role in our daily lives, providing support, mobility, and balance. Despite their importance, they often go unnoticed until problems arise. To maintain healthy feet and avoid discomfort or pain, we’ve put together some helpful tips to help you keep your feet in excellent condition as we step into the new year.

Choose the Right Footwear

Selecting the right footwear will be one of the most important things you can do to ensure good foot health. Poorly fitting shoes can lead to bunions, corns and calluses. Shoes with weak support can aggravate conditions like plantar fasciitis and heel spurs! It’s important to ensure that your shoes are the correct size, provide good arch support, and have enough cushioning to absorb pressure.

Maintain Good Hygiene

Proper foot hygiene is essential to prevent infections and odour. To maintain healthy feet, start by washing them daily with warm water and mild soap. Don’t forget to dry them thoroughly, paying extra attention to the spaces between your toes. Additionally, make it a habit to trim your toenails straight across on a regular basis to prevent ingrown toenails.

Support Your Arches

Supportive insoles can be crucial for happy and healthy feet. Whether you have flat feet or high arches, or aches and pains in your feet, consider using orthotic insoles to support your arches and reduce the risk of painful foot injuries.

Stretch and Exercise

You can enhance flexibility, balance, and aid in the rehabilitation of various foot conditions by strengthening and stretching your foot and ankle muscles. Incorporate exercises, such as toe curls, ankle circles, and calf stretches into your daily routine.

Mind Your Sitting Posture

Your foot health isn’t just about what you do when you’re on your feet; it also involves how you sit. Sitting with your legs crossed or bent at a desk for extended periods can diminish blood flow to your lower legs. It’s important to avoid crossing your legs and to get up and walk around periodically to ensure blood is flowing regularly to the feet.

Manage Moisture

Excess moisture around your feet can lead to fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Make sure to choose moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and consider using an astringent, such as Footlogix Sweaty Feet formula. If you notice your shoes or socks are particularly damp by the end of the day, it’s helpful to begin changing your socks midday, and removing your insoles or orthotics from your shoes at the end of day to dry as well.

Avoid Going Barefoot

Walking barefoot in public places, such as gyms, pools, or communal showers, can expose your feet to harmful bacteria and fungi. Always wear flip-flops or shower shoes in these areas to prevent infections and to protect your feet from any sharp or rough objects.

Take Frequent Breaks

If your job involves long periods of standing or walking, be sure to take breaks to rest your feet as often as you can. Elevating your feet when at rest further helps reduce swelling and relieve stress.

Check Your Feet Regularly

Inspect your feet regularly for any changes or abnormalities. This can help you catch problems early, such as ingrown toenails, calluses, or blisters, and address them before they worsen. If you have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy, this step is crucial to maintaining your foot health!

Consult a Professional

If you experience foot pain or notice any unusual symptoms, it’s essential to consult your local foot specialist. Your Pedorthist, Chiropodist, or Footcare Nurse can treat various foot conditions and provide expert guidance for your specific needs.

 

Taking care of your feet is not only about comfort but also about maintaining your overall well-being. You can start incorporating these ten tips into your daily routine today to ensure your feet look and feel their best. If you’ve still got questions, or you are looking for some more tailored advice, we’re here to help! Contact your local BioPed to get started on improving your foot health today.

Sweating is normal and something we likely do every day! Significant sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, occurs when excessive moisture accumulates on the skin. If this occurs in the feet, you may experience discomfort, embarrassment or even issues such as Athlete’s foot or foul odour.

What happens when our feet excessively sweat?

• Wrinkled or “pruned” looking toes
• Whiteish skin
• Peeling skin
• Moist socks
• Wet footprints left behind on floors
• Dampness inside shoes

Sweaty feet are more likely to become problematic when they are trapped inside a shoe all day. This allows moisture to stay in contact with the skin for too long and may increase the risk for infections. Fungal infections commonly target the skin and nails of our feet and can be challenging to eradicate.  Additionally, the presence of bacteria may create issues for the skin in between the toes and on the bottoms of the feet. Erythrasma and pitted keratolysis are bacterial infections that can be quite unpleasant. If you notice your feet are stinky, you could have developed bromhidrosis, a complication of hyperhidrosis caused by the presence of bacteria.

It is important to remember that infections can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Getting the moisture level in your socks, shoes and feet under control is an excellent first step to prevent complications!

How can you treat and prevent sweaty feet?

• Change socks daily and throughout the day if needed. Choose socks comprised of breathable and moisture wicking materials.  Polyester, nylon and wool are most effective at keeping the moisture level more balanced and skin on the feet healthier.
• Wear shoes made of breathable materials such as leather or mesh. Rubber boots and Gore-Tex shoes are water-resistant and useful in wet weather, but this means they are inherently less breathable.
• Wash your feet daily to keep the surface of the skin clean which will reduce the risk for fungal and bacterial infections. Fungus and bacteria thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments.  If an odour is present, using an anti-bacterial soap to wash feet can help.
• Applying rubbing alcohol or using a foot powder can help to wick away moisture on the skin. Rubbing alcohol is an astringent which dries the skin and an antiseptic which cleans the skin.  Some foot powders are formulated with anti-microbials to lessen the presence of fungus and bacteria.  Powder can also cool and soothe irritated skin.
• At the end of a long day, allow your feet to air out!

Come See Us!

If you think you could have an infection, contact your Primary Care Provider or your BioPed Medical Footcare Clinician as soon as possible to be assessed.  For more information about sweaty feet, give your local BioPed a call today to book an appointment. See you soon!

Chiropody treatment for relief of common foot issues for athletes

Ingrown toenails, sweaty feet & fungal infections can keep us from achieving our best on the treadmill, in a league or at the gym.  Don’t fret!  BioPed’s Chiropody treatments provide relief of common foot issues, just like these!

Ingrown toenails account for 20% of family physician foot-related visits. Anyone who has had an ingrowing toenail will tell you just how debilitating it can be. Once the sides of the toenail have begun to dig into the surrounding skin, it becomes too painful to walk, run, kick a ball, jump or dance. If you delay treatment, most ingrown toenails become infected, creating a more complicated case.

While there are many causes of ingrowing toenails, such as improper nail trimming or wearing the wrong-sized shoes, sweaty feet can be a cause in athletes. Sweaty feet can also predispose someone to Athlete’s foot; a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. Athlete’s foot creates an itchy sensation in your shoes that is simply distracting when trying to focus on getting fit.

BioPed Chiropodists are pleased to announce that they have temporary and permanent solutions to eradicate your painful ingrowing toenail. Chiropodists will also treat fungal/bacterial infections that are not responding to over-the-counter medications and can make recommendations to put an end to sweaty feet. Chiropodists can also offer cortisone injections for inflamed ligaments or joints in the feet, recommend proper footwear for your game and assess your need for athletic compression socks to energize your tired legs.