If you’re suffering from a foot ailment, you’ve probably already tried over-the-counter treatments and even the advice of friends and family. If you haven’t seen a podiatrist and are experiencing any of the below ailments, now is the time to act.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin between the toes. It can affect any part of your foot but most often occurs between the toes. It’s caused by a fungus called Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes. The fungus spores enter through cracks in your skin or open wounds and grow in warm moist places such as between the soles and on your feet.
Athlete’s Foot Symptoms: You may notice itching or burning sensations on your soles during walking; redness around infected areas; blisters filled with fluid that can be painful when touched; peeling skin with no blisters present yet (this usually happens after several days). If left untreated, athlete’s foot can lead to more severe conditions such as cellulitis, which involves swelling beneath layers of tissue, including fat cells surrounding bones, making them difficult to treat effectively without surgery!
Calluses
Calluses are thickened skin areas that develop due to repeated friction or pressure against a hard surface. They can be painful, especially if they develop on the bottom of the foot, often subjected to more friction than other parts of your body. Calluses may also occur on your hands if you frequently use them for activities such as typing or playing an instrument.
Callus treatment depends on what caused your callus in the first place:
- If it’s from rubbing against something hard (such as shoes), try changing out your footwear and using padding underfoot while you do so until things heal up fully again–this might mean switching between sneakers and sandals, depending on what season it is!
- If it’s due to dryness in general, then consider adding more moisture into your day-to-day routine via lotions or moisturizers; make sure these products have been tested by dermatologists before applying any directly onto sensitive areas like feet, though, because some people find certain chemicals irritating even when used externally rather than internally.
Bunions
Bunions are a deformity of the great toe. They can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. A bunion develops when your big toe moves inward toward other toes, causing it to rub against the side of your shoe. This is often due to wearing shoes too tight or narrow.
Bunions can be treated with surgery or orthotics (shoe inserts). Surgery may be needed if other treatments don’t work well enough for you or if there’s pain caused by pressure on nerves in your foot arch area by bone spurs around bunion areas.
Hammertoes
Hammertoes are toes that are bent at the middle joint. Hammertoes can be caused by wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, leading to pain and problems walking. A podiatrist can treat hammertoes by stretching out the toe muscles and using splints or tape to hold them in place while they heal.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are a common foot ailment that can be painful and difficult to treat. They occur when the edge of your toenail grows into the skin around it, causing inflammation and discomfort.
If you have an ingrown toenail, you may experience pain while walking or wearing shoes that rub against your toe. It’s also possible for an ingrown nail to become infected if bacteria get into the affected area underneath your nail bed (the soft tissue surrounding your toe). If left untreated, this can lead to severe complications such as gangrene or even amputation if left untreated for too long!
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot ailment that causes pain in the heel and arch. It’s caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the tissue that connects your heel to your toes. The condition can be caused by overuse or injury, but many people have no apparent reason for their symptoms.
Pronation and Supination (Wedge Foot)
Pronation and supination are terms used to describe the motion of the foot. Pronation is a natural motion of your foot that causes it to rotate inward as you walk or run, absorbing shock and distributing weight evenly across all five toes. Supination involves rolling your ankle outward, which can be strengthened with exercises over time.
Southernmost Foot & Ankle Specialists Can Handle it All
If you are suffering from a foot or ankle ailment, Southernmost Foot & Ankle Specialists can help. We are experts in the treatment of all types of foot problems.
Many people don’t realize that their feet are just as important as the rest of their bodies. If you have any questions about your feet or ankles, we encourage you to call today.