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Cracked heels are a common foot problem. They occur when areas of skin on your heels become dry and thicken, forming calluses. Over time, these calluses can crack, causing discomfort or pain in the heel. Other symptoms associated with cracked heels include flaky skin, itching, bleeding, redness, inflammation, and foot wounds. Additionally, deep, painful cracks known as fissures can form on the heels. Fissures leave your heels at an increased risk of becoming infected. 

Cracked heels may be caused by standing for prolonged periods of time, walking barefoot or in open-back shoes, wearing poorly fitted shoes, taking lengthy hot showers, using harsh soaps to wash your feet, and living in a climate with cold temperatures or low humidity. Sometimes cracked heels can be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a vitamin deficiency, fungal infection, or psoriasis. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent cracked heels and to treat them when they occur. You may be able to prevent cracked heels by wearing supportive, well-fitting shoes with a closed back, wearing orthotic devices to pad your heels as you walk, or wearing padded socks. Keeping your feet exfoliated and moisturized is also a key step, in both prevention and treatment. Applying a thick moisturizer on the heels regularly is highly recommended. 

If you have chronic cracked heels, cracked heels that don’t respond to home treatment, or if you are diabetic or have peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

A fungal toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis, can be unsightly and uncomfortable. Infected nails often become thickened, brittle, crumbly, and discolored with white, yellow, or brown patches. The affected nails may also lift from the nail bed and emit a foul odor. 

Fungal toenail infections are contagious and are caused by a fungus getting in, on, or under the toenails. Fungi thrive in moist, warm environments like public swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers, and many people contract fungal nail infections from walking barefoot in these environments. The fungus can also spread from person to person. For this reason, it is best to avoid sharing personal items like shoes, socks, and towels with an infected individual. 

Certain factors can make one more likely to contract toenail fungus. People who have diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immune system, are over the age of 65, wear artificial nails, have a toenail injury or damaged skin around their toenails, wear closed-toe shoes, and expose their feet to moisture for extended periods of time are at an increased risk of onychomycosis. 

Treatment options for toenail fungus include oral medications and topical solutions such as medicated nail polishes and creams. Treatment can take several months to be effective, so it is recommended that you see a chiropodist as soon as you notice the symptoms of toenail fungus. For more information about this condition, please consult with a podiatrist.  

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage located on the ends of joints deteriorates over time. Cartilage is very important, as it protects and cushions the bones during movement. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is associated with aging. It can affect any of the joints in the body, and frequently affects the joints of the feet and the ankles. Though rarer, osteoarthritis can also occur as a consequence of an injury, such as as a sprain or fracture, or as a result of abnormal foot biomechanics. 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and stiffness in the joints, swelling, and difficulty walking or bending the joints. In some cases, bony protrusions called bone spurs can develop on the affected joints. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, meaning that it worsens over time. Diagnosing the condition early allows for earlier treatment, which can help preserve the health and function of your joints. 

A variety of treatment options are available for osteoarthritis. Pain can often be minimized by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, getting steroid injections into the affected joints, and wearing orthotics. Bracing or immobilizing the affected foot or ankle may help reduce inflammation and prevent deformity of the joint. Doing specific exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the feet and ankles to prevent injuries. In cases where more conservative treatments have failed or in which arthritis has progressed significantly, surgery may be an option. If you have osteoarthritis in your feet or ankles, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist. 

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot lives and thrives in warm, moist environments such as public swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. This fungus can infect the feet through a cut or crack in the skin. Athlete’s foot is also highly contagious, and the fungus can spread from person to person through sharing personal items such as shoes, socks, or towels.

The symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, stinging, or burning between your toes or on the soles of your feet, itchy foot blisters, and dry, cracked, or peeling skin on the feet. The infection can also spread to your toenails, leading to discoloration, thickening, and crumbling. 

Through a physical examination, athlete’s foot can be diagnosed by your chiropodist based on its symptoms. Sometimes, a skin test may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Athlete’s foot can be treated with both oral and topical over-the-counter or prescription medications. You can prevent a fungal infection by maintaining good foot hygiene, wearing shoes when walking in public areas, avoiding sharing personal items with others, and keeping your feet clean and dry. 

Good foot care is proactive, rather than reactive. While a chiropodist can diagnose, treat, and help you manage a variety of foot and ankle conditions, preventing foot problems and keeping the feet healthy is something that you can do at home as well. Having and following an established daily foot care routine can be very beneficial. 

Maintaining good foot hygiene helps prevent a variety of foot problems, including infections like athlete’s foot and fungal toenails. It is important to wash your feet every day using lukewarm water and mild soap. Wash the entire foot, from heel to toe. Then dry the foot thoroughly, taking extra care to dry in between the toes. Moisturizing the heels and soles of the feet after washing them can help keep the skin soft, hydrated, and free of cracks. 

Stretching and strengthening the feet can maintain or improve their mobility. There are many easy foot exercises that you can do to keep your feet strong and flexible, such as toe scrunches and heel raises. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help keep your weight under control, relieving excess pressure and strain on the feet. 

Finally, wearing the right shoes is one of the easiest ways to care for the feet. Many people wear shoes that are too tight or narrow, shoes that don’t support the feet adequately, and shoes that are made of materials that trap moisture on the foot. Opt for comfortable, properly-fitted shoes that support and protect your feet. 

For more information about daily foot care practices for good foot health, please consult with a chiropodist.

Heel spurs are bony growths located underneath or at the back of the heel bone. When the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, or other tissues in the feet are chronically inflamed, heel spurs may form in response. Heel spurs are often asymptomatic, and most people who have them are not aware of them until they show up on an X-ray taken for other reasons. 

Nevertheless, some people do experience symptoms associated with heel spurs, particularly if they also have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. Symptoms may include local tenderness, heel pain, and pain while walking, especially on hard surfaces. 

Heel spurs are usually treated through conservative methods, such as resting and icing the heel, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear. If you suspect that you may have heel spurs, it is suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist.

Did you know that people who wear high heels may be more likely to need the care of a chiropodist? This is because high heels are notoriously bad for foot health. While they may be stylish, they can also be dangerous and are often to blame for a variety of foot and ankle problems. 

High heels force your feet into an unnatural, downward extended position. This puts excess pressure and strain on the toes and balls of the feet, increasing the risk of foot pain and toe deformities like hammertoes and bunions, as well as corns, calluses, and blisters. The tendon and ligaments that support the arch of the foot can tighten, causing plantar fasciitis and heel pain. The unnatural foot position also requires you to change your posture and gait in order to balance in these shoes. Your steps tend to become shorter and less efficient, increasing the risk of foot and ankle injuries. Your posture becomes more rigid and strains your muscles, leading to hip and back pain. 

The ankle joint is also damaged by high heel wear. When wearing these shoes, the ankle has a limited range of motion and power, causing the calf muscles to shorten. The Achilles tendon may also contract, becoming inflamed and leading to a condition called Achilles tendonitis. High heels also increase the risk of twisting your ankle and sustaining an ankle sprain. 

If you are dealing with foot and ankle pain related to wearing high heels, a chiropodist can help diagnose the problem and find the right treatment for you.

Many changes can happen in every part of your body during pregnancy — and the feet are no exception. Common foot conditions that pregnant women face include swollen feet, fallen arches, and plantar fasciitis. 

An increase in the volume of blood and fluids in your body, coupled with an increase in overall fluid retention due to hormones, can lead to swelling in the feet. This is especially common during the third trimester. You may be able to reduce swelling by drinking plenty of water, reducing caffeine intake, resting your feet frequently, and sitting with your legs uncrossed to promote circulation.  

During pregnancy, your hormones can cause changes in the structure of your feet. An increase in hormones that relax your ligaments could affect the ligaments in the arches of your feet, causing them to become flat. This condition is known as fallen arches, or acquired flat feet. As the foot flattens, your shoe size may increase and you may need footwear that offers more arch support. 

The weight that you gain during pregnancy is carried by your feet. This can put them under extra strain and lead to aches, soreness, or a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is caused by an inflammation of the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and can lead to heel and arch pain. 

If you are pregnant and are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist. 

Standing for prolonged periods of time can cause damage to your feet. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of the job for many working people. Common foot conditions that may occur as a result of being on your feet all day include foot pain, blisters, calluses, corns, arthritis, toe deformities, sprains, bunions, athlete’s foot, and fallen arches. 

There are certain steps that you can take to prevent work-related foot problems. If you are on your feet all day, it is recommended that you avoid shoes that have high heels, pointed toes, a fit that is too loose or too tight, and a lack of arch support. If you work in a place where foot injuries are a common occupational hazard, such as a construction zone, wearing the right shoes becomes increasingly important. Wearing comfortable, properly fitted, supportive shoes made of breathable materials can mitigate the risk of developing a variety of foot problems.

Maintaining an immobile, upright stance for prolonged periods of time is bad for your foot health. If possible, take breaks throughout the day to sit down, stretch, and walk around. At home, take care of your feet with a daily foot care routine. Wash the feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Apply a moisturizer to prevent cracked heels. When trimming the toenails, trim straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Wear clean socks daily. If you notice any problems developing in your feet or ankles, consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose and treat your condition and help you maintain the health of your feet. 

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a foot condition that occurs in children. Sever’s disease is not truly a disease, but rather an overuse injury. It is common among active children between the ages of 8 and 14. Young, growing children have a growth plate in their heels, where new bone is forming. When too much stress is put on the heel, the growth plate can become inflamed, leading to heel pain. 

Children who participate in activities that put repetitive stress on the heel bone are most at risk of developing Sever’s disease. These activities include playing soccer or basketball, running track, or any other sport or activity that involves running, jogging, or jumping. Children who are obese, have tight Achilles tendons, biomechanical problems, flat feet, or fallen arches are also at risk. 

The symptoms of Sever’s disease include pain in the back or bottom of the heel, pain when the sides of the heel are squeezed, and fatigue. The pain may lead to difficulties walking or bearing weight on the affected foot, and you may notice your child limping or walking on their toes to avoid putting pressure on the heel. A chiropodist can diagnose Sever’s disease by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging studies such as X-rays may also be ordered. 

Sever’s disease is generally treated by resting the affected foot, wearing shoes or orthotics that support the heel, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation. In severe cases of heel pain, the affected foot may need to be immobilized with a cast while it heals. If your child is complaining of heel pain, please consult with a chiropodist.