April 2021

Although they can be annoying and uncomfortable, most blisters that occur on the feet are harmless and appear as the result of friction from shoes rubbing repeatedly against a specific area of the skin. There are several steps that you can take to prevent blisters. First, it is important to have the right footwear. It is imperative that the shoes that are worn fit properly, and moisture-wicking socks can also be worn to protect the feet and keep them cool and dry. If you have areas on your feet that are prone to blistering, padding those areas by wearing a moleskin bandage over them may help prevent the blisters from developing. If you are performing an activity, such as running, and you feel pain or discomfort in your feet or that the skin on your feet has become red and irritated, it is suggested that you cease the activity immediately to avoid blister formation. For more information about how to prevent blisters, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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

Foot ulcers are open wounds that may be clearly visible or hidden beneath hardened skin or dead tissue. They can occur on the bottom or sides of the foot, or on the top or tip of the toes, and range in severity from surface wounds to deep craters that may expose tendons and bones. Left undetected and untreated, they may become infected and escalate to a serious health issue. In the worst cases, foot ulcers may even lead to amputation. Discovering and healing ulcers can be challenging for those with diabetes. Increased levels of glucose in the blood may cause nerve damage and poor circulation, which may decrease your ability to detect and heal ulcers. Along with treating other foot and ankle issues, podiatrists can provide proper diabetic foot ulcer care through a variety of treatments, medicines, and procedures.

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. Blake Zobell from Utah. 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 offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Women who wear high heels and are in their 30s and 40s are most at risk of developing Morton’s neuroma: a thickening of nerve tissues between bones on the bottom of the toes. This can cause a burning pain in the ball of the foot that graduates to a numbness or intense pins-and-needles feeling between the 3rd and 4th toes. Typical treatment for those with Morton’s neuroma calls for a change in footwear, either OTC or prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. If the condition persists for more than a year, a possible surgical solution to remove the damaged nerve or an endoscopic decompression to fix the nerve may become necessary. To learn more about treatment for Morton’s neuroma, please consult with a podiatrist.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Systemic sclerosis, which is sometimes also known as scleroderma, is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes degeneration and scar formation in the skin, joints, and internal organs. Many people with this condition experience foot problems, including foot pain and deformities in the back of the foot. Since scleroderma causes skin degeneration and scarring, people with this condition are also at an increased risk of developing foot wounds. Abnormalities in the gait or walking pattern are  sometimes found in people with this condition as well. If you have scleroderma, regular visits to the podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health, mobility, and quality of life.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

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