Barefoot Summer Time

It is summer time and that means it is flip flop and barefoot season. While everyone is running around on the beach and out in the yard, there could be splinters or rocks finding their way into the bottoms of your feet. If this happens, it could be really easy to remove, but sometimes they will get deeper into your feet after you step on them. If this happens, it’s really important that you come into your podiatrist to have the foreign object removed.

So, if you get something in your foot that you can no longer see, what are some of the most important things that you can do? First off, you need to leave your foot alone. Digging, pushing or prodding around in your foot can cause you to actually push the foreign body deeper. This can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels that could be avoided by just leaving it alone.  Second, you need to bandage up your foot and keep it as clean as you can. Now that something is in your foot, there is an opening extending into your foot that can bring in infection. Finally, you need to make an appointment with your podiatrist so that they can determine what is inside your foot. Taking x-rays or an MRI can determine what level the object is at and what kind of means will be required to remove it from your foot.

So, if you or someone you know has stepped on something and it is embedded in your foot, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Bradford or Burlington, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.