April 2025

Foot blisters are a frequent and often painful condition caused by friction, moisture, and heat. They occur when the skin is repeatedly rubbed, typically due to wearing ill-fitting shoes or prolonged walking and running. This constant rubbing causes the layers of skin to separate, allowing fluid to collect in the gap. Moisture from sweat or wet environments softens the skin, making it more vulnerable to damage. Heat generated during activity can also contribute to blister formation. Wearing new shoes, especially those not broken in, or going sockless can increase the risk. Additionally, certain skin conditions or allergies may make some individuals more susceptible. If you have developed a foot blister that is bothersome or has become infected, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can offer safe and effective treatment along with prevention tips.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Scott Shrem of Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. 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 our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The feet can offer important clues about thyroid health, often showing symptoms that are easy to overlook. Cracked heels may be one of the earliest signs, especially when dryness persists despite moisturizing. Itchy feet can also occur due to slowed skin cell turnover, commonly seen with low thyroid function. Cold feet are another frequent symptom, as the thyroid helps regulate body temperature and poor circulation may result from an underactive thyroid. Additionally, swollen feet can develop due to fluid retention, which sometimes accompanies hormonal imbalances linked to thyroid conditions. These foot-related signs should not be ignored, especially when they appear together or persist. If you have any of the above foot symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and discuss the connection regarding possible thyroid disease.

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. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. 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 our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A broken toe might seem minor, but it can be surprisingly painful and disruptive. Toe fractures happen from direct impact, like stubbing a toe on furniture, dropping something heavy on it, or even excessive stress from repetitive movements. There are different types of toe fractures. A stress fracture develops over time from repeated strain, common in runners and athletes. A non-displaced fracture means the bone has cracked but remains aligned, while a displaced fracture occurs when the bone shifts out of place. A comminuted fracture involves multiple breaks in the same bone, and an open fracture means the bone has pierced the skin, requiring immediate medical attention. Treatment depends on severity, ranging from taping the injured toe to its neighbor for stability to wearing a stiff-soled shoe. Severe cases may require a splint or even surgery to ensure proper healing. If you have severe pain from a broken toe, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Debridement is the process of removing dead or infected tissue from foot wounds or ulcers to help the body restart the healing process. When unhealthy tissue is present, it can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. By clearing out this tissue, debridement encourages the growth of healthy skin, reduces the chance of complications, and may minimize long-term scarring. There are several types of debridement, including enzymatic, autolytic, mechanical, and sharp methods. The method chosen often depends on the severity and condition of the wound, as well as a patient’s overall health. In some cases, surgery may be required, particularly for deep or severely infected wounds that do not respond to conservative options. A podiatrist can evaluate the wound and determine the most effective way to promote healing. Podiatrists are trained to manage foot, toe, and ankle wounds safely and effectively, and they provide continued monitoring throughout recovery to help prevent further issues. If you have foot wounds or ulcers that are not healing properly, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and ongoing wound care.

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. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. 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 our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Broken blood vessels in the foot, also known as petechiae or bruising, occur when small blood vessels beneath the skin rupture. This can happen due to trauma or injury, such as stubbing the foot or wearing tight footwear. Other causes include excessive pressure on the foot, certain medical conditions that affect blood clotting, or even prolonged standing. Symptoms of broken blood vessels include visible red, purple, or blue spots on the skin, which may expand or change color over time as the blood is reabsorbed. In some cases, swelling, pain, or tenderness may accompany the bruising. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is and offer appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Scott Shrem  from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.