Items filtered by date: May 2021

Monday, 24 May 2021 00:00

All About Corns on the Feet

Corns are hard bumps of skin that form on the feet in response to pressure. There are two types of corns - hard and soft. Hard corns typically form on the tops of the toes or on the sides of the pinky toes, where soft corns generally form between the toes. One of the most common causes of corns is wearing shoes that do not fit properly, as well as uneven pressure distributed between the feet. Pressure and friction from shoes rubbing against the skin irritates it, creating hardened layers of rough, tough, lumpy, and sometimes discolored skin. People who have foot deformities like hammertoes or bunions may be more prone to developing corns. If you have corns on your feet that are causing you pain or discomfort, please see a podiatrist for treatment.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Understanding Corns and Calluses
Monday, 17 May 2021 00:00

Types of Painful Toe Conditions

There are a variety of painful conditions that can impact the feet, and many of those can cause pain in the toes. Pain and swelling around the toenails where the nail has curled into the skin is a common sign of ingrown toenails. Bunions are formed near the big toe as painful bony lumps that form due to poorly fitting shoes. If any toes are broken, the toes will become painful and swollen, and walking could be difficult. If there is pain and stiffness around the joints, and they feel hot and swollen, that may be a sign of gout, which is affected by the level of uric acid in the blood. If the pain in the toes is severe, gets worse, results in a loss of sensation, or you are diabetic, consulting with a podiatrist is suggested. A podiatrist will be able to diagnose and provide treatment options for pain that is in the toes and feet.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
Monday, 10 May 2021 00:00

How Do Feet Develop Overtime?

When children are born, they generally have flat feet. Additionally, the toes appear to be the same length, and are encased in soft fat. This is typically evident up to eighteen months, and bones will begin to form up to twenty-four months. Research has indicated the arch will start to form between two and four years, and the bones will merge together as the child grows. It is beneficial to have your child walk barefoot while indoors, and this is helpful in keeping the feet strong. When it is time to walk outdoors, the proper shoes need to be purchased. Ideally, they should be constructed with breathable materials, and it is important to make sure there is adequate room for the toes to move freely in. If you would like additional information about your child’s foot development, and the type of shoes to buy, please consult with a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy
Thursday, 06 May 2021 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Monday, 03 May 2021 00:00

What Should I Do If My Toe Is Broken?

The stiffness, swelling, bruising, and pain that typically accompanies a broken toe can make it difficult to walk or bear any weight on the affected toe. Sometimes the broken toe can also appear bent or deformed. If you believe you have broken your toe, seeing a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is imperative. Stress fractures and less severe breaks often heal when you rest, ice, and elevate the affected foot. More serious fractures, however, will require more intense treatment. If your broken toe is an open fracture that breaks through the skin, or if you experience numbness, tingling, skin discoloration, an increase in pain, or a wound or sore infection in the affected foot, it is crucial that you see a doctor as soon as possible. To learn more about broken toes, please consult with a podiatrist.  

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Swelling
  • Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
  • Stiffness
  • Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about What to Know About a Broken Toe

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