Unless you are one of the people living with the discomfort of a hammertoe, you may not realize how painful the condition can be. Usually affecting the second, third or fourth toes of one or both feet, the condition gets its name from the hammer-like appearance of the afflicted toe or toes. In the initial stages, most hammertoes are able to move and flex relatively normally as the patient moves about. Read More»
Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or side of a toenail begins growing into the flesh found to the side of it. Common symptoms include redness and tenderness in the area. If your ingrown toenail becomes infected, it may feel hot and you may notice some swelling and pus in the area. Some cases of ingrown toenails are rather minor, while others are more concerning. If you follow these dos and don’ts when dealing with this issue, you should be in good shape. Read More»
Bunions can be more than a minor annoyance – they can be downright painful. If yours have been keeping you from completing your commitments at work and in your personal life, then it may be time to seek treatment from a podiatrist. In the meantime, use these four strategies to keep your pain under control.
Massage your feet with eucalyptus essential oil.
Eucalyptus oil cools and refreshes your skin, and the act of massaging your bunions increases circulation to the area, which can reduce swelling and pain. Read More»
Many people suffer from ingrown toenails – nails that start growing into the tissue surrounding the nail. Some ingrown nails are just a minor annoyance and only hurt when you press on them. Others become a major issue, growing well under the skin and leading to infection. While a minor ingrown nail does not require urgent treatment, you should take very special care of an infected ingrown nail. Read on to learn how to tell if your ingrown nail is infected, and what to do if you think it is. Read More»
Blisters are pockets of fluid beneath your skin that form as a response to friction. They can occur when you wear shoes that don’t fit your feet properly. For many people, blisters are just annoying, but when you have diabetes, blisters are a more serious problem. Here are four things diabetics need to know about blisters.
Why are blisters serious?
Blisters are a concern because even minor foot problems can lead to serious complications in people with diabetes. Read More»
Certain painful symptoms may indicate a stress fracture in the ankle. Because you’re passionate about running, you want to do everything you can to heal quickly and prevent a recurrence. Follow strategies to accomplish these goals, including seeing a podiatrist for a definitive diagnosis, treatment and advice.
Get a Diagnosis
A foot doctor confirms your suspicion by listening to the description of your symptoms, examining your ankle directly, and reviewing X-rays or an MRI. Read More»
Developing a plantar wart on the bottom of your foot might be embarrassing and aggravating, but it is also quite normal. Plantar warts are common on feet, but they can be hard to get rid of. If you are interested in finding a way to eliminate the wart you have without going to a podiatrist, here are two options you could try.
Lemon essential oil
The first method to try involves the use of lemon essential oil. Read More»
If you have pain that starts in the outside of your calf and travels down the front of your ankle and into your toes, you may have extensor tendonitis. While painful, it is usually not long-lasting and there are effective treatments to ease the pain and help in healing.
What Is Extensor Tendinitis?
The entensors are a group of muscles and tendons that are used to pull your foot upward. They run down your calf, across the top of your ankle and down to your big toe and lesser toes. Read More»
A bunion—a bony bump at the base of the big toe—causes pain in the big toe. Although you don’t always need surgery to correct the condition, bunions can get worse over time if you don’t treat them. If you ignore the problem, a bunion can get bigger, or you may eventually develop arthritis in the toe joint. However, you can help avoid complications by knowing when you should see a podiatrist and what steps you can take to get relief from bunion pain and discomfort. Read More»
Running puts a lot of stress on the body, so it’s no wonder that runners have a tendency to suffer from various foot injuries. Read on for three common foot problems that runners have and how to treat them.
Blisters
Blisters are a common complaint amongst runners. Painful and easy to get, blisters are created when shoes don’t fit properly or when socks become wet with sweat and rub against the skin. Read More»