Tired of thick callus on your feet that makes them ache? Does your partner move away when you rub your feet against them? You need Baby Feet! No, it’s not a transplant from a baby’s foot. It’s a micro-dermabrasion for your feet that can be done at home. No fuss, no muss, no dead skin flying all over your bathroom. Simple, easy and inexpensive to get those smooth baby feet back like you had as a child

Our feet have up to 80 layers of dead skin. No wonder pumice stones can’t make a dent. Baby Foot is a simple product available at Houston Foot Specialists that is all natural and can make those thick callous disappear. Simple to apply as well. Place your feet into booties available in the kit with alpha hydroxyl acid for a simple hour. After a few days to a week the thick calloused skin that you couldn’t get rid of is gone and lasts a couple of months. You will love the way your feet feel and you will walk more comfortable in shoes and not to mention how much better they will look during the summer months in open shoes and sandals.

If you have diabetes, consult with Dr. Bowman before using it. Simple, Quick and inexpensive way to get your feet to feel like a babies again. Not to mention, it’s Dr. Bowman’s wife’s favorite product. It’s great for men’s feet as well without the embarrassment of being seen in a nail salon.

Contact Dr. Bowman at 713-467-8886 to purchase this product and even ship it for a nominal fee or feel free to come by and pick up a kit.

If you have dry cracked skin you are concerned with Dr. Bowman is always available to discuss it with you and explain any underlying conditions you may have. Call 713-467-8886 for more information or visit www.houstonfootspecialists.com for an online appointment.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

If you didn’t read “Part 1” of this blog, make sure to read it first before continuing on. You can find it by clicking here.

Let’s pick up where we left off and look at some more products that can help people with dry, cracked heels:

Urea Based Emollient: Carmol 40 (40% Urea)

Would you be disgusted if I said the ingredient in Carmol 40 is a derivative of urine? Urea is a chemical compound found in the urine. It can also be synthesized artificially.

This medicine is a keratolytic used for treating dry, rough, scaly skin caused by certain conditions (e.g., dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, cracked skin, calluses). It may also be used for certain other skin or nail conditions as determined by your doctor.

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if the affected area is broken or severely irritated; allergies; pregnancy; diabetic or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

Use this medicine exactly as directed on the package, unless instructed differently by your doctor. Apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area. Gently rub medicine in until it is evenly distributed. Wash your hands immediately after using this medicine unless your hands are part of the treated area. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS USING A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you use it, try to remember your dose every day.

Home remedies:

Bag Balm: This is worthy of it's own blog. The uses began to soothe cows' utters during milking. It has been used on horse’s hooves, quilting bees, hardworking hands or even to polish leather! People swear by this.

Vaseline + saran wrap: This is for when you are in a sticky situation regarding dry, cracked heels. Place a liberal amount of Vaseline to your heels and feet. Quickly wrap in saran or cellophane and place in socks. Do this before going to bed and remove and wash off in the morning. This, like bag balm, acts like a moisturizer. It is definitely an inexpensive option.

So, just say "No" to crack (see below)! Let me know if there are any other secrets to combated dry heels.

For more information on how to combat any skin condition, please contact Dr. Jeffrey N. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists (713) 467-8886 or see our website for more information and online appointments at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

It's that time of year again when the snow boots, or as they are called here in Houston, cowboy boots are replaced with open toe shoes, sandals and flip-flops. One of the most common complaints amongst patients in these shoes is dry, cracked heels. Utilizing shoes that leave the foot open to the elements seems to leave the feet dry and eventually cracked.

In some instances it is more than a change in weather or shoes that clause this drying and cracking. Excessively dry skin can be caused from pathologic disorders such as hyperhidrosis. This causes excess sweating of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This excessive loss of moisture can lead to dryness. In other cases a mild fungal infection known as tinea pedis can lead to itching dryness that scales across the bottom and sides of the foot. This can sometimes be confused for dry skin. Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a broad range of skin disorders that can lead to red, itchy, dry skin.

In the absence of these or other pathologies such as diabetes, most people complain of dry skin simply because of the natural reaction to changes the skin can undergo during seasonal weather changes. The most common reason for this sudden dryness is open toe shoes, sandals and flip-flops during spring and summer months.

Today's blog is directed at products that can be helpful to those people with dry, cracked heels without any pathologic disorders.

Moisturizers: Foot Miracle

This unique, therapeutic formula contains 60% Ultra Aloe™– the purest, most potent form of whole leaf Aloe Vera gel. Ultra Aloe™ combined with special moisturizers effectively penetrates through layers of skin to speed up cell renewal and repair dry, cracked feet and heels – fast! It eliminates odors, relieves itching and rejuvenates tired, achy feet too. Your feet will look, feel and smell great.



Keratolytics (All-Natural Chemical Peel): Baby Foot

Baby Foot is designed to remove the unsightly, dead skin cells on your feet that build up over time and can contribute to numerous problems associated with the soles of your feet. Dead skin cells accumulate due to pressure and friction from ordinary activities such as standing, exercising, and wearing shoes. In many cases, feet become cracked and painful from the accumulation of dead skin.

In the past, frequent use of foot files and razors were used to "remove" the dead skin on your feet. However, this was a temporary fix because as we now know from recent research, filing generates more friction to the soles of your feet which in turn creates more dead skin. No more filing with the use of our Baby Foot product.

Baby Foot is an unparalleled, total foot care package that provides you with the opportunity to care for and maintain your feet at home. Our scientifically formulated product contains 17 types of natural extracts which exfoliate and moisturize at the same time. The principal ingredient of Baby Foot is fruit acid which is very gentle, when compared with other acids. The fruit acid penetrates into the layers of dead skin cells and breaks down the desmosomes which hold the layers together. By this process, skin is undamaged but peels easily away from the fresh layer beneath. After peeling, your feet are reborn just like a baby’s foot, giving you healthy, beautiful feet.

Baby Foot contains 17 kinds of natural extracts which have a high moisturizing power and astringency, thus the sole becomes smooth after peeling. Baby Foot not only peels the dead skin cells from your feet, it also maintains the grain of the skin and adds moisture to the skin. Baby Foot happens to be my wife’s favorite for her feet.

If you need more information for dry skin on your feet, please contact Dr. Jeffrey N. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists (713) 467-8886 or see our website for more information and online appointments at www.houstonfootspecialists.com. Make sure to look for “Part 2” of this blog later this week.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Very few celebrities do I consider worth the public's praise. Most overindulge in lavishness and ruin their god-given talents by destroying their bodies through drugs and riotous living. Although he was far from perfect, Nesta Robert "Bob" Marley is one of the few celebrity figures I admire.

Why am I bringing up Bob Marley? May is skin cancer awareness month and May 11th marks the 32nd anniversary of Marley's death. Marley succumbed to a type of cancer that was first identified underneath one of his toenails.

In 1977 his toenail was identified as having acral lentiginous melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can display in the feet and toes. It was originally thought that the discolored, red toenail was due to a football injury earlier that year. This was refuted and identified to be a skin lesion from an already existing cancer. Marley was encouraged to have his toe amputated to prevent any further spread of the disease. Marley declined such treatment citing religious beliefs. At this point in the legend's life, he was world famous and was traveling all over Europe and the U.S. on tours. One of my favorite songs "Redemption Song" is said to be Marley's coming to terms with the end of his life. Marley's final concert was in Pittsburg, PA in September 1980 before his health deteriorated and he sought cancer treatment in Germany. For 8 months he battled cancer without success. At terms with his mortality, Marley boarded a plane for Jamaica. On May 11th, 1981, while en route to his homeland, Marley's vital signs deteriorated and his plane was forced to land in Miami, Florida. The cancer had spread to his lungs and brain. At 36 years old, the Reggae Rastafarian died. His final words to his son Ziggy were, "Money can't buy life".

The importance of taking care of each and every little health concern is of utmost importance. Even something as lowly as the foot can merit some attention. An amputated toe could've extended the life and legacy of Bob Marley.

For many Podiatry patients today, the risk of amputation remains high. It must be understood that amputation can often avoid further complications, poor quality of life and even death. With modern prosthetic and biomechanic advancements, amputation of digits, feet and limbs doesn't require major lifestyle changes. Many patients can carry on with their everyday life with small and simple changes.

Marley attempted to sing the music OF the people, not for the people. He wanted to be the voice of many. There are many things he represented that I do not agree with, but his unmatched sound, style and stance make him worthy of tribute.

If you are concerned about skin cancer or have dark nails contact Dr. Bowman at 713-467-8886 or for online appointments go to www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Knee scopes are one of the most common procedures offered from Orthopedic Surgeons for a multitude of knee complaints. The use of a "scope" or "arthroscopic" surgeries has made an increase in the foot and ankle. Arthroscopic literally means to look inside of a joint. This is done with the use of a very small, lighted tube, roughly the size of a lollipop stick, to look inside of the ankle. This is done through a very small, 5mm stab incision. Another small stab incision allows the entrance of other surgical instrumentation.

Interestingly, from a historical perspective, the lighting to view the joint has grown from reflected sunlight, candles, burning filaments, gas and electric lamps to today's fiber-optic lights. These powerful fiber-optic lights illuminate inside of the joint while fitting inside of the small camera. To view the joint began with the naked eye and then employed lenses and has developed today into high-definition camera lenses. These cameras project the small area onto larger high definition screens. Technology today allows the use of smaller arthroscopic instrumentation with more and more procedures.

Ankle scopes are used today for a variety of ankle issues. Simple entrance into the ankle joint allows diagnosis of ankle pathology. The surgeon can visualize directly what an MRI or X-Ray may possibly miss. Many ankle complaints can be from previous ankle injuries that result in inflammatory or arthritic changes to the ankle joint. These injuries are easy to treat by simply entering the joint and smoothing the ankle joint defects and any excessive soft tissue linings. Any spurring on the bones of the ankle joint can be smoothed as well, while avoiding a large open incision.

Unfortunately, true ankle arthritis cannot be cured by any procedures, scopes or otherwise. Arthritis is an irreversible problem with treatments aimed mainly at symptoms. Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation to the joint, but scopes actually enter and clean up some of the painful tissue associated with arthritis. Eventually, painful arthritic ankles that fail conservative treatment are destined for either ankle joint fusions or total replacements.

Patients are permitted to bear weight immediately after surgery, however some recommend partial weight bearing for the first 2 weeks. Range of motion ankle therapy exercises are encouraged as soon as tolerable. Sutures are to remain in place for 10-14 days.

Ankle arthroscopy has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 50 years and will continue with an increase in surgeon competency and education and with improvements in technology. Ankle arthroscopy can provide a minimally invasive answer to ankle pain and avoid ankle fusion or replacement for chronic ankle arthritis.

For more information on ankle scopes and ankle pain please contact Dr. Jeff Bowman by calling (713) 467-8886 or visit our website for online appointments at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved