Items filtered by date: August 2024

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, often leading to itching, redness, and cracking. The fungi typically thrive in warm, damp environments, making communal showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools ideal breeding grounds. Athlete’s foot can spread easily through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or directly from person to person. While cases can sometimes clear up with mild treatments, persistent or severe cases may require professional care. A podiatrist can provide a more accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment options to effectively manage the infection. This may include prescription antifungal medications, guidance on proper foot hygiene, and strategies to prevent recurrence. If you have a troublesome case of athlete's foot, it is suggested that you schedule  an appointment with a podiatrist for advanced treatment options.

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 Tri-Town Podiatry. 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 Arlington, Canton, and Chelsea, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to discomfort and potential infection. Symptoms typically include redness, swelling, and pain surrounding the affected toenail. In more severe cases, there might be noticeable pus or a throbbing sensation. The condition often arises from factors such as wearing improperly fitting shoes, which place undue pressure on the toes, or incorrect nail trimming techniques, which can cause the nail to grow inward. Other contributing factors include genetic predisposition and trauma to the toe. Proper nail care, including trimming nails straight across and wearing well-fitted shoes, is essential in preventing ingrown toenails. An ingrown toenail can cause consistent pain and discomfort. If this applies to you, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you, which may include minor surgery for removal.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Tri-Town Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

A broken toe, often caused by stubbing it against furniture, dropping something heavy on it, or trauma during sports, can be quite painful. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, bruising, and difficulty in  walking. Sometimes, you might even hear a crack at the time of injury or notice the toe looking out of place. For a mild fracture, treatments such as resting, taking pain relief medication, and wearing comfortable shoes or orthotics can help. Taping the injured toe to the one next to it is another way to manage the pain and aid healing. However, if pain persists after a few days, swelling doe not subside, or if you have trouble walking after six weeks, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to get a precise diagnosis and treatment options.

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 Tri-Town 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 Arlington, Canton, and Chelsea, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Fungal toenail infections, or onychomycosis, are common conditions where fungi invade the nails, leading to discoloration, thickening, and crumbling of the nail edges. These infections often cause the nails to turn yellow, brown, or white and can lead to discomfort or a foul odor. Fungal toenail infections occur due to exposure to fungi in warm, moist environments such as public showers, swimming pools, or locker rooms. They can also result from minor nail injuries, wearing tight-fitting shoes, or poor foot hygiene. Individuals with weakened immune systems, diabetes, or circulatory issues are more susceptible to these infections. Athletes and those who frequently wear closed-toe shoes are also at higher risk. Treatment options can include antifungal medications, which can be topical or oral. In severe cases, laser therapy or surgical removal of the affected nail may be needed. Maintaining good foot hygiene, keeping nails trimmed and dry, and wearing breathable footwear can help prevent infections. If you have toenail fungus, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and care.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Tri-Town Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington, Canton, and Chelsea, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.