
- Wash feet at least once a day with soap and warm water. Make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly after.
- Make sure to dry feet as soon as possible after dealing with sweaty or perspiring feet.
- Choose socks made from materials that wick away sweat and improve ventilation.
- Apply deodorizing sprays or powders in shoes every day after wear, and make sure to wait 24 hours before wearing the same shoes again.

Certain shoes can leave you prone to cracked heels and dry skin due to friction from wearing loose-fitted shoes. People who wear sandals and other open-heeled shoes are more at risk for developing cracked heels. Instead, opt for closed-heeled shoes that fit properly and provide support.
If you are overweight, you may be surprised to discover that this could be contributing to your dry, cracked heels. This is because your feet take on all of your weight while standing, walking, and running. By safely dropping that excess weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise you can alleviate some of the pressure placed on your heels to reduce the risk of cracking.
While we know just how luxurious it feels to stand in a steaming hot shower, especially during the winter months, this could be contributing to dry skin on your feet and cracked heels. If this is something you deal with regularly you may look at your current bathing or showering ritual to see if that could be the culprit. Simply use warm and not hot water, which can strip the skin of the oils it needs to stay moist.
You should moisturize your feet every day to prevent dry skin from happening in the first place. Moisturizers that contain lactic acid, glycerin, or petroleum jelly can help to lock in moisture in your feet. Moisturize every time you get out of the shower and throughout the day, especially before going to bed. If you are prone to very dry, cracked feet, you may wish to moisturize and then wear socks to bed.
Suffering From Ingrown Toenails? We Can Help.
If you are suffering from an ingrown nail you know just how difficult they can make even just getting around. Unfortunately, the condition will not go away on its own due to the inherent cause of an ingrown nail, which is the nail itself growing and digging into the skin. If caught early, and you are physically able to, you may be able to treat it at home on your own. But you can always depend on your podiatrist for professional care whenever anything troubles you and your feet. Something especially important to consider if you suffer from diabetes. To learn more reach out to your local experts of the Clintonville-Dublin Foot & Ankle Group in Columbus and Dublin, OH.
How to Ease Your Discomfort
Inflammation and the pain that results from it are the more immediate concerns you can address if you are suffering from an ingrown nail.
You will want to opt for footwear that does not further constrict your toes, which will only make the problem worse. If at all possible avoid shoes altogether, or wear sandals, for a short time.
It's also helpful to soak your foot every day in warm water to further ease the swelling.
As for the ingrown nail itself, some recommend carefully separating it from the skin using a strip of cotton and then trimming it correctly to avoid it happening again. But performing this procedure on your own can prove difficult, and should be avoided if it's painful. Your best bet is to consult with your podiatrist for proper treatment, as they're experts on everything that may be wrong with your feet.
Your podiatrist will treat the infection and relieve your pain, and correct the ingrown nail, even in the most difficult cases.
You can ease some of the discomfort on your own, but for treatment, you can depend on your podiatrist to help.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Columbus and Dublin, OH
Don't endure the pain of an ingrown nail by putting it off for too long, especially if there are signs of infection. Your podiatrist can not only treat it but can help you prevent them by advising you on proper footwear and the right way to cut your nails. Make your appointment today with the professionals of Clintonville-Dublin Foot & Ankle Group by dialing (614) 267-8387 for Columbus, OH, and (614) 761-1466 for Dublin, OH.

- Pain that occurs immediately after an injury or accident
- Pain that is directly above a bone
- Pain that is worse with movement
- Bruising and severe swelling
- A cracking sound at the moment of injury
- A visible deformity or bump
- Can’t put weight on the injured foot
The symptoms of a sprain are far less severe. You can often put weight on the injured foot with a sprain; however, you may notice some slight pain and stiffness. You may also have heard a popping sound at the moment of the injury with a sprain, while a broken bone often produces a cracking sound. The pain associated with a sprain will also be above soft tissue rather than bone. A podiatrist will perform an X-ray to be able to determine if you are dealing with a break or a sprain.
Rest is key to allowing an injury, particularly a fracture, to heal properly. Along with rest, your doctor may also recommend either an over-the-counter or prescription-strength pain reliever, depending on the severity of your fracture. Those with more moderate to severe fractures may require a special boot, brace, or splint. Those with more severe fractures may need to wear a cast and use crutches, so they can avoid putting any weight on the foot.

If possible, try to keep the blister intact. Do not try to pop or drain a blister that hasn’t popped on its own. It’s important not to put pressure on the blister, so avoid any shoes that may be too tight. If you’re going to put on shoes, make sure to apply a bandage (some band-aids are designed specifically for covering blisters) to the area first.
If the blister popped on its own, clean it with warm water soap (do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the blister). Once the area is clean, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to the area and apply a bandage over the blister. These simple steps can prevent an infection from occurring.
You should only drain a blister if it’s very large, painful, or affects your ability to move. In this case, you should sterilize a needle with alcohol and then make a small hole in the blister to let it drain. You may need to carefully squeeze the blister to help it drain fully. Once the blister has drained, rinse out the area with soap and warm water before applying antibiotic cream to the area and placing a bandage over it.
You mustn’t keep the same bandage on your blister day in and day out. You should check the blister every day to make sure it isn’t infected. You should clean the area daily with soap and water and then reapply another bandage.
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