Abilene (325) 437-8641
Tinea pedis, which is known as athlete’s foot, is considered to be a fungal infection. The skin on the feet is affected, and it may itch and turn red. It can be difficult to cure, but despite the fact it is not known to be a serious infection. This condition can be contagious, and it is suggested to refrain from sharing towels, socks, or shoes. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in warm and moist environments. These can include public swimming pools, locker room floors, and showers. The symptoms that patients experience can consist of blisters, cracked skin on the feet, and the affected foot may itch and burn. A proper diagnosis often consists of having a skin test taken, and this is necessary in choosing the right treatment option. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist as quickly as possible, who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Cory Brown, DPM from Brown Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.
Prevention
The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:
Symptoms
Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Abilene, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Selecting shoes that fit properly is critical for comfort and prevention of foot problems. Making sure shoes fit right is especially essential to children, people who are on their feet a lot, or have arthritis, diabetes, or other foot disorders. Correct shoe fit is achieved when the shoe shape matches the foot shape and shoe size accommodates the widest part of the foot – the first metatarsal joint – so toes can spread out comfortably. Steps that will best ensure shoes fit right are: trying them on later in the day when feet are more swollen, wear the socks you plan to wear with the shoes (or thin socks if socks will not be worn with them), fitting a finger in the back of the shoe comfortably, making sure there is adequate room between the shoe and the big toe (as feet move forward when walking), and walking in the shoe to check for friction, pinching or any other discomfort. Seeking advice from a podiatrist before and after purchasing shoes can help in proper shoe selection and evaluation so that complications can be avoided.
Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Cory Brown, DPM from Brown Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Getting the Right Shoe Size
There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.
As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Abilene, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Getting the Right Shoe Size: To Keep Your Feet Happy
If you have a small growth or lesion near the base of your toes or bottom of the heel, you may have developed a plantar wart. Plantar warts are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) which enters the foot through cuts or breaks in the skin on the bottom of the feet. These warts can grow beneath a callus on the foot if enough pressure is put on them. They can also cause pain or tenderness when standing or walking. Plantar warts are not particularly serious and may even go away on their own, but they can also remain, come back, or multiply. If you have a plantar wart, it is suggested that a qualified podiatrist examine your foot to verify the growth as well as provide treatments that increase your comfort.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Cory Brown, DPM from Brown Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
Treatment
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Abilene, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about What Are Plantar Warts?
Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
The sensation that your feet are uncomfortably hot and painful is commonly known as BFS, or burning feet syndrome. It is more common in the elderly, and the sensation is especially active at night. BFS can target both the sole and the top of your feet, as well as your ankles and legs. One of the main causes of BFS is diabetes, but others include heavy alcohol use, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (damage to peripheral nerves), and tarsal tunnel syndrome (nerve damage in the ankle). Depending on the underlying cause and the seriousness of the ailment, several home remedies may help. Among them are soaking your feet in cold water, in warm water with Epsom salts, or in apple cider vinegar; taking fish oil supplements; massaging with ginger oil; and applying numbing creams or patches to the affected area. A note of caution: If you are experiencing continuous burning feet syndrome, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist who can assess the severity of your condition and offer further treatment options.
Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Cory Brown, DPM from Brown Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The Elderly and Their Feet
As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.
Common Conditions
Susceptible Infections
Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Abilene, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Running can be great exercise but must be done with care to prevent injuries that can keep you off your feet. The most common cause of running injuries is overtraining. If you run too many miles, too quickly, and too often, you put an enormous amount of strain on your feet and ankles, significantly increasing your risk of injury. To stop this from happening, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Increase the distance, speed, or frequency of your runs one by one and slowly over time. Another common culprit behind running injuries is wearing the wrong shoes. Look for running shoes that fit properly and offer cushioning and support. If you’re a runner, a podiatrist can help you by treating any existing foot or ankle issues, prescribing orthotics if needed, and educating you about injury prevention.
All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Cory Brown, DPM of Brown Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.
More Tips for Preventing Injury
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Abilene, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
