Athlete’s foot is a contagious infection of the skin of the feet. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in warm and moist environments. Athlete’s foot typically affects the toes, the areas between the toes, and the soles of the feet. Symptoms of this condition include itching, burning, peeling, and flaking skin on the foot. In severe cases, the skin may blister or the foot may have thick patches of dry, red skin on it. In extreme cases, the skin may crack and bleed, causing significant pain. Athlete’s foot can be treated by maintaining proper foot hygiene and using anti-fungal creams, powders, sprays, or oral medications. If you have athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for treatment. 

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 James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona.  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 office located in Safford and Sierra Vista, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Doing toe curls is a great exercise to strengthen the feet. This exercise can stretch and flex the foot to improve your balance, support your arches, and increase your overall foot strength. Toe curls can also help reduce or prevent the pain from foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis. To do this exercise, sit in a chair, lay a towel on the floor in front of you, and place your foot flat on top of the towel. Keeping your heel still and planted on the towel, lift up your toes and use them to scrunch the towel towards you. Repeat this movement five times on each foot. For more information about this and other exercises for your feet, consult with a podiatrist today. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

An ankle sprain is a common cause of ankle pain. It generally occurs as a result of turning or rolling the ankle beyond its normal range of motion. This can happen from stepping off of a curb unexpectedly, which may cause the ligaments of the ankle to become overstretched or torn. The grades of ankle sprains can vary and each grade plays a role in the length of recovery time. Relief may be found when simple stretches are performed, and this may accelerate the process of healing the ankle joints. Additionally, it may help to strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area in order to help avoid re-injury. Other ways to find relief may include manual therapy or staying off of the affected ankle as often as possible. If you are experiencing any type of ankle pain it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact James P. Huish, DPM from Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Safford and Sierra Vista, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Fungal nail infections can occur in both the toenails and fingernails. These fungi tend to live in warm and moist environments, and they like to feed on the keratin that makes up the toenails. Fungal nail infections can be commonly spread in environments such as locker rooms and public pool areas, but they can also spread from poor foot hygiene. Nails that have been affected typically appear as yellow or brown, and they can become thicker. If the infection worsens, the affected nail could begin to crumble and accumulate debris that smells foul. Toenail fungal infections are difficult to completely heal on their own, so it is important to seek medical attention if you see any signs or symptoms. A podiatrist will provide a proper diagnosis and determine a treatment plan that is best for you. 

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact James P. Huish, DPM of Arizona. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Safford and Sierra Vista, AZ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.