Research has indicated that one of the essential vitamins to take for healthy skin is B3. A skin condition that is known as pellagra can be a result of a B3 deficiency, and the skin on the heels can become affected. Symptoms of this foot condition can include dry, cracked skin that may cause severe pain and discomfort. Additional reasons why cracked heels can develop can consist of existing eczema, psoriasis, or from standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. Patients have found mild relief when their daily water intake is increased, and a good moisturizer is frequently applied. If you would like more information on cracked heels, and possible treatment options, please confer with a podiatrist.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Columbus Podiatry & Surgery. Our podiatrists 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 office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A corn on the foot can develop from excess pressure. This is often the result of wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. The types of corns that can form are referred to as hard and soft corns. The latter gradually develops between the toes and can cause severe pain and discomfort. The top of the corn is often moist, and toes that are crammed together for the majority of the day may cause this to occur. Hard corns can develop on top of the toes, or on the bottom of the feet. Patients who run barefoot may be susceptible to developing a hard corn. Additionally, they can form on top of the toes from wearing shoes that can cause excess friction as walking and running are pursued. If you have a corn on your foot, please consult with a podiatrist who can effectively treat any type of corn.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Columbus Podiatry & Surgery. Our podiatrists will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Having an X-ray performed is a common method of determining if a toe has been broken. When the toe is stubbed or if a heavy object has dropped on it, a traumatic fracture can occur. The symptoms that may accompany this type of broken toe can include consistent pain, bruising, and the affected toe may appear red. A stress fracture can develop gradually, and this generally happens as a result of repeated stress on and surrounding the bone. Runners can develop stress fractures of the toe. If this occurs, it is beneficial to refrain from this type of activity until the healing process is fully completed. An effective method for treating a broken toe is known as buddy taping. This is accomplished by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it to provide adequate stability as the healing process occurs. If you have broken your toe, please speak with a podiatrist who can effectively treat broken toes.

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 one of our podiatrists from Columbus Podiatry & Surgery. Our podiatrists 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 office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A good running shoe provides proper cushioning to absorb impact, breathable materials to keep feet dry and comfortable, and a design that balances style with performance. Proper fit is essential, as shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause blisters, calluses, plantar fasciitis, or joint pain. Foot alignment and gait are also important considerations for injury prevention. A podiatrist can assess your foot structure, recommend shoes that match your biomechanics, and provide orthotics or supportive modifications, if needed. Investing in the right running shoes and professional guidance ensures comfort, improves performance, and protects your long-term foot health. If you have foot pain from wearing the wrong type of shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional qualities to look for in running shoes.

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Columbus Podiatry & Surgery. Our podiatrists can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.