Gout Vs. Cracked Heels

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You cannot be too diligent when it comes to foot care. Our feet make us mobile. We require them to walk and function as normal in our daily lives. When something is amiss in the foot, it is immediately noticeable to most people.

While gout and cracked heels can both be identified as uncomfortable conditions, they are completely different from one another. Both can lead to long-term problems, and in the beginning stages, they can look really similar to one another.

However, each condition develops differently, and it’s important to identify them correctly from the get-go. At the Dermatologic Surgery Center, we can ensure proper early treatment and the correct diagnosis of gout or cracked heels.

Cracked Heels

In general, cracked heels are caused by a lack of moisture in the heel of the foot. Dehydration is occasionally the culprit, but more often than not, minor cases of cracked heels can be fixed with a heavy moisturizer or lotion.

If the problem runs deeper, it might be time to see a dermatologist. If you can’t kick (no pun intended) the dry, cracked heels on your own, it’s probably because your feet have too many layers of dead skin cells built up to tackle with a moisturizer alone.

When heels crack, it can be a painful experience. Standing on cracked heels puts the full weight of your body on them, and can cause them to crack even further. The more they crack, the harder it is to stop them from cracking. Occasionally, they may bleed, raising the chances of infection. It’s vital to treat severely cracked heels with the help of a dermatologist.

When moisturizer isn’t enough, we turn to methods like debridement, also known as the removal of hard skin, to treat cracked heels. This can be done with a combination of dermatology tools and medications that contain ingredients that will help break down the build-up of dead skin, such as urea and salicylic acid.

The treatment for cracked heels is relatively easy, and the aftercare routine will typically involve continuing medication, or intense exfoliation and moisturization.

Gout

The origins of gout run much deeper than cracked heels. It is a result of too much uric acid building up within the body. Gout can stem from a variety of conditions, including kidney disease. Other chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, heart disease and metabolic syndrome, can cause someone to develop gout. Additionally, certain medications, a diet high in red meat, shellfish and fruit sugar, and drinking alcohol frequently can also increase your risk of developing gout.

While it might take a long time for gout to form, it’s incredibly painful when it does. A gout attack can last up to seven days and often begins at night; the pain is often most severe in the first four to twelve hours of the start of the attack. Gout symptoms include intense pain in the affected joint, redness, and inflammation. You’ll find lumps in the affected joint, usually the big toe, and experience stiffening and swelling, making it hard to walk. Long-term gout can also cause kidney stones.

Our dermatologists will work side by side with your primary physician to help you combat the detrimental symptoms of gout. To treat gout, we may recommend NSAIDs to help you combat inflammation and relieve pain, along with corticosteroids and other medications, to help you combat the effects gout has on the body.

The aftercare for gout treatment is long-term and heavily focused on health and lifestyle. In order to reduce your risk of future gout attacks, you may likely have to make changes to your diet and lifestyle.

gout vs cracked heel medina

We Can Help

You don’t have to suffer from conditions like cracked heels and gout. They can seriously interrupt your life, leaving you out of events that you should be taking part in. At the Dermatologic Surgery Center, we are dedicated to helping patients overcome problems like cracked heels and gout. If you are experiencing symptoms and would like to discuss them further with us, call today at 330-239-4350 to set up a consultation or book online.

 

Disclaimer: Results for each patient will vary. Please remember that the information provided will not guarantee your eligibility for treatment. Consultation and medical examination must be completed before approval.

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