Toe walking means a child walks on their tiptoes without letting their heels touch the ground. It can happen some, most, or all of the time. Toe walking can be part of normal development, and many children stop doing it between ages two and seven. However, continued toe walking deserves attention, especially when it affects balance, comfort, or the way a child moves. When there is no clear medical cause, it is called idiopathic toe walking. In a small number of children, toe walking can be linked to conditions that affect the brain, nerves, or muscles. These include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism spectrum disorder. A podiatrist can assess your child’s feet, legs, and walking pattern. They can also check muscle strength and flexibility to determine whether further evaluation is needed.

Frequent toe walking can be associated with tight calf muscles, which connect with the heel. Tight calves can make it harder for a child to place the heels flat on the ground when standing or walking. A podiatrist can help identify whether tight muscles, foot structure, or another concern is contributing to toe walking. This evaluation also helps determine whether the child’s walking pattern is changing or causing problems with everyday activities. Treatment options may include regular monitoring and supportive footwear.

Parents should seek professional advice when toe walking is apparent mainly on one side or if it begins suddenly after a child previously walked with their heels down. An exam also may be needed if the heels are prevented from touching the ground while standing. Attention is important when a child has stiff legs, unusual movements, or pain. A podiatrist can monitor changes in walking and recommend treatment when necessary. If your child exhibits toe walking on a regular basis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet. It frequently begins between the toes, where moisture can collect. The fungus grows well in warm, damp environments, including locker rooms, swimming pool areas, and public showers. It can spread through direct contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces. Shoes can also create a warm environment that encourages fungal growth, especially when feet sweat heavily. Although the name suggests a sports-related problem, athlete’s foot can affect anyone who comes into contact with the fungus.

Symptoms can vary depending on the area of the foot involved. The skin between the toes can become cracked, peeling, or scaly. Itching, burning, and stinging can also occur. Some patients develop blisters or dry skin along the soles and sides of the feet. Athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails, making the infection more difficult to treat successfully and completely. Scratching infected skin and then touching another part of the body can spread the fungus. Because other skin problems can look similar, an accurate diagnosis is important before treatment begins.

A podiatrist can examine the affected skin and determine whether a fungal infection is causing the symptoms. When the diagnosis is uncertain, testing a small skin sample can help identify fungus. Treatment includes antifungal medication applied to the skin or, in more stubborn cases, oral medicine may be prescribed.  A podiatrist can also evaluate recurring infections and look for factors that allow the fungus to return. Following the prescribed treatment for the full recommended period is important because stopping too early can allow the infection to remain. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions. 

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

Plantar warts are rough growths that form on the soles of the feet. They develop when strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV, enter through breaks in the skin. The virus can spread through direct contact or shared areas, like locker rooms, showers, and pool decks. Pressure from standing can push a wart inward beneath a layer of thick skin. This can make the growth look like a callus. Unlike a callus, a plantar wart can interrupt the natural lines of the skin and show tiny black dots.

Pain can become sharper when standing or walking. A wart can also grow larger or form a cluster called a mosaic wart. Because corns and calluses can look similar, an accurate diagnosis matters. A podiatrist can examine the growth, check its texture, and look at the pattern of skin lines. In unusual cases, the doctor can remove a small sample for testing. Patients should seek prompt care when a growth bleeds, changes color, or causes increasing pain. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system should also have any new foot growth checked promptly.

A podiatrist can recommend treatment based on the wart's size, location, and depth. In-office care can remove layers of thick skin and target the infected tissue. Options include freezing the wart, applying a controlled chemical treatment, or using laser treatment. Several visits can be necessary because plantar warts can be stubborn. For a deep or resistant wart, the podiatrist can discuss other procedures or surgery. Professional care also helps protect nearby healthy skin and reduce pain from pressure. The podiatrist can monitor healing and check whether the wart is returning or spreading. Plantar warts can be painful, and may cause difficulty in completing daily activities. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors 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

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

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 offices located in Chandler, and Phoenix, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Blisters are small pockets of fluid that develop beneath the outer layer of the skin, most often because of repeated friction or pressure. They commonly appear on the heels, toes, or the ball of the foot after prolonged walking, running, or wearing shoes that rub against the skin. Although many blisters are minor, they can become painful and make everyday activities more difficult. Symptoms may include tenderness, swelling, and a clear fluid-filled bubble on the skin. In some cases, the blister may break open, increasing the risk of infection if not properly managed. Because other foot conditions can resemble blisters, a professional evaluation is important when pain is severe, symptoms persist, or signs of infection develop.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing foot blisters. Poorly fitting footwear, excessive moisture, and repetitive physical activity may all increase friction on the skin. Individuals with diabetes or reduced circulation may have a greater risk of complications because wounds can heal more slowly. Persistent discomfort may also change the way a person walks, placing additional stress on the foot and ankle. A comprehensive podiatry examination helps determine the cause of the blister while evaluating the surrounding skin for infection or other concerns. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to relieve discomfort and prevent more serious foot problems from developing.

A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating foot blisters while protecting the overall health of the feet. Professional care focuses on relieving pain, preventing infection, and promoting proper healing based on each patient's condition. Treatment is tailored to the size, location, and severity of the blister, as well as any underlying medical conditions that may affect recovery. Regular podiatry visits can also help identify recurring problems and reduce the risk of future complications. If you have a painful foot blister, persistent symptoms, or signs of infection, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment options.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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