Cracked heels can affect anyone of any age, and they are caused by a lack of moisture. Thankfully, at-home remedies may be performed in order to rid yourself of this unsightly condition. Prior to treating your cracked heels, it is crucial that you are aware of what may be causing them. Cold weather, harsh soaps, standing for long hours, and improper footwear have all been linked as causes of cracked heels. A simple treatment you can try for cracked feet is to soak them in warm soapy water for twenty minutes at night. Afterwards, try using a pumice stone to scrape off any dead skin you may have. You should then rinse your feet, and carefully dry them with a towel. Lastly, moisturize them with a foot cream and wear a pair of socks overnight in order to trap in the moisture. If you have a more severe case of cracked heels, you should not hesitate to seek help from a podiatrist.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Metropolis and Eldorado, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A new study conducted by the University of Oregon, and with the participation of Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Colorado Boulder, seeks to identify athletes who are likely to develop stress fractures. With newly known risk factor indicators available, athletes who are at risk for stress fractures can be alerted and allowed to rest to prevent them. Stress fractures, or tiny hairline fractures in the bone, most commonly occur from overuse and lack of rest. The study is still in its early stages and will take several years to produce conclusive results. Researchers are hopeful that this will help prevent athlete's injuring themselves and allow them to keep playing.
 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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

If you have severe pain in the back of your heel, you may have an Achilles tendon injury. It is the body’s thickest tendon, and it connects the back of the heel to the calf muscles. When the foot pushes forward while running, the Achilles tendon absorbs the force necessary for this to be accomplished. The beginning of an injury is typically represented by a dull ache in the back of the heel, and the pain will increase in severity if the running activity continues. There may be several causes for this type of injury to occur, including a poor range of motion in the ankle, calf muscles that are weakened, and having flat feet. Specific exercises that are practiced may aid in the healing of an Achilles tendon injury, and it’s recommended to see a podiatrist for a proper examination.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Dean D. Hinners of Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Metropolis and Eldorado, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A fungal infection that develops in the skin of the feet, which may be referred to as athlete's foot or tinea pedis, often produces discomfort and pain. Probable symptoms may include itching and burning skin in addition to blisters that may form in between the toes. Athlete’s foot is typically caused by a fungus that thrives in warm and dark environments and may spread when the foot touches the contaminated area. This type of fungus often lives in public showers and pools, and may be prevented from spreading by wearing appropriate shoes in these areas. If you are affected by this condition, it may be beneficial to wash your feet often followed by thoroughly drying in between the toes. If your socks should become wet from excess moisture, it’s important to change them frequently in addition to wearing cotton socks which may aid in absorbing additional perspiration. For severe infections, a consultation with a podiatrist is advised for more aggressive treatment options

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Dean D. Hinners from Illinois. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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