June 2021

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

When a blister develops on the foot, it can negatively impact daily activities. It can form due to a variety of reasons, which can consist of wearing flip flops or new work shoes, and choosing to refrain from wearing socks. A blister is defined as a small area that is filled with liquid that naturally forms over damaged skin. It protects the raw skin and will gradually drain as new skin develops. A common cause of a blister on the foot is excess friction and is often considered to be a wound. This can make it difficult to wear shoes, and many patients put a protective covering over it that may help it from draining prematurely. It is suggested to keep the affected area dry, and numerous bandages may have to be used throughout the day. If you would like additional information about how to treat blisters on the feet, please consult with a podiatrist.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. John C. Lawlor from Florida. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our our offices located in Cape Coral and LaBelle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When walking or standing for long periods of time, certain areas of the skin on the feet thicken to help withstand pressure. These areas of thickness are either corns or calluses that work as a protective measure when the skin rubs on the bone, shoe or the ground. Calluses are larger, more irregularly shaped areas of hardened skin on the foot that usually indicate an issue such as a bone deformity, poor walking style, or poor footwear. Corns are much smaller and have a central core. There are five main types of corns that can develop on the feet. Hard corns are concentrated to the size of a pea, and soft corns develop similarly and usually appear when the skin is moist from sweat or in between the toes. A seed corn is very tiny and can occur by itself or as a cluster. Vascular corns contain nerve fibers and blood vessels and are very painful. Fibrous corns attach to deeper tissues and tend to last a long time on the foot. If you have a corn or callus that is irritating your foot, consulting with a podiatrist is suggested.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. John C. Lawlor of Florida. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

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

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our our offices located in Cape Coral and LaBelle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Broken toes can occur due to sports injuries, accidents, or even wearing improper footwear. Although it may not always be easy to detect, a broken toe should be treated properly to ensure correct healing and avoid any future complications. A broken toe may give you discomfort ranging from mild tenderness, to numbness, to very intense pain, and limited range of motion. There may be swelling at the site, and possibly even weakness and spasms in the muscles connected to the broken toe. Blood from the broken bone and fluids released into the tissues under the skin may cause partial or entire bruising of the toe and surrounding area. The toe may be twisted, bent out of its normal shape, or the bone may pierce through the skin. If you have had recent trauma to one of your toes and are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose a broken toe and help it heal properly.

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 Dr. John C. Lawlor from Florida. 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 one of our our offices located in Cape Coral and LaBelle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.