Athlete’s foot is a common fungal skin infection that often causes itching, redness, peeling, and irritation, usually between the toes or along the sole. When the skin becomes severely damaged, bacteria can enter through these openings and cause an additional infection. This may lead to increased redness, swelling, warmth, pain, drainage, or worsening skin breakdown. What begins as a surface skin problem can become more serious, if not properly treated. A podiatrist can determine whether the issue involves a fungal infection alone or a combination of problems that require different treatment approaches. Care may include addressing the infection, protecting damaged skin, reducing moisture buildup, and identifying factors that contributed to the condition. Early treatment helps prevent worsening symptoms and complications. If you have athlete’s foot that is becoming painful, spreading, or showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment solutions.

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 one of our podiatrists from Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors 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:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

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:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

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

Plantar warts are rough skin growths that develop on the bottoms of the feet, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus can enter the skin through small cuts or cracks. It grows in warm, moist places like locker rooms, pool decks, and public showers. Walking barefoot in these areas increases the risk of infection. Children, teenagers, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of developing plantar warts. They can become painful because body weight presses them inward while standing or walking. Some people change the way they walk to avoid pressure on the wart, which can lead to foot pain and balance problems. Plantar warts are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body or to other people through direct contact or shared surfaces. If you have signs of plantar warts, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

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.

A puncture wound on the foot is a deep injury caused by a sharp object breaking through the skin, such as a nail, splinter, tack, or piece of glass. These injuries may look small on the surface, but damage can extend deeper into soft tissue, joints, or even bone. Because the opening is narrow, bacteria can become trapped inside, raising the risk of infection. People with diabetes, circulation concerns, or a reduced feeling in the feet may face greater complications. A podiatrist can examine how deep the injury goes, check for hidden debris, evaluate for infection, and order imaging, if needed. Treatment may include wound cleaning, pressure relief, infection management, and close monitoring to support healing and prevent more serious problems. If you have a puncture wound on your foot, especially with pain, redness, or swelling, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist for effective treatment solutions.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Foot stress fractures, ankle bursitis, and lace bite are common injuries among figure skaters due to repetitive impact, tight footwear, and intense training. A foot stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that develops from repeated stress, often causing deep pain that worsens with activity. Ankle bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs surrounding the ankle joint, leading to swelling, tenderness, and discomfort with movement. Additionally, lace bite occurs when pressure from tight skate laces irritates the tendons on the top of the foot, causing pain and inflammation. These conditions can make skating difficult and limit performance. A podiatrist can evaluate the injury, use imaging for diagnosis, and provide treatment plans to reduce pain and protect foot function. If any of the above symptoms develop from ice skating, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate care.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from Ocotillo Foot and Ankle Centers. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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