Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, often developing between the toes. It occurs when the fungus grows in warm, moist environments, such as sweaty socks or communal showers. Causes include direct contact with contaminated surfaces, shared footwear, and poor foot hygiene. Risk factors include excessive sweating, wearing tight or non breathable shoes, and weakened immunity. Symptoms may include itching, burning, redness, peeling skin, and an unpleasant odor. A podiatrist can provide an accurate diagnosis, recommend antifungal treatments, and offer guidance on proper foot care to prevent recurrence. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment remedies, which may include prescribed medication.

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 doctors from Favor Foot Ankle Leg & Wound Center. 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 office located in South Amboy, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The ankle joint carries the body’s weight with every step, making it vulnerable when arthritis sets in. One common type is osteoarthritis, which develops gradually as cartilage wears down over time, leading to stiffness and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is another, caused by the immune system attacking the joint lining, often affecting both ankles at once and causing swelling and deformity. Post-traumatic arthritis can appear years after an ankle injury, such as a fracture or severe sprain, as damaged cartilage breaks down earlier than normal. Less commonly, gout targets the ankle when uric acid crystals build up, triggering sudden, sharp pain and redness. Each form of arthritis may affect the ankle differently, but all can reduce mobility and interfere with daily life. If you have any kind of ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate care.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our doctors from Favor Foot Ankle Leg & Wound Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to describe joint pain.  The condition itself can occur to anyone of any age, race, or gender, and there are over 100 types of it.  Nevertheless, arthritis is more commonly found in women compared to men, and it is also more prevalent in those who are overweight. The causes of arthritis vary depending on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis for example, is often caused by injury, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune system.

Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Decreased Range of Motion

Arthritic symptoms range in severity, and they may come and go. Some symptoms stay the same for several years but could potentially get worse with time. Severe cases of arthritis can prevent its sufferers from performing daily activities and make walking difficult.

Risk Factors

• Occupation – Occupations requiring repetitive knee movements have been linked to osteoarthritis
• Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to osteoarthritis development
• Infection – Microbial agents can infect the joints and trigger arthritis
• Joint Injuries – Damage to joints may lead to osteoarthritis
• Age – Risk increases with age
• Gender –Most types are more common in women
• Genetics – Arthritis can be hereditary

If you suspect your arthritis is affecting your feet, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist immediately. Your doctor will be able to address your specific case and help you decide which treatment method is best for you.

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

Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. This condition most often affects the big toe, especially along the lateral edge. Causes include hereditary nail shape, poorly fitting shoes that compress the toes, trauma, and trimming nails too short or with rounded corners. A podiatrist can assess the severity of the ingrown toenail and provide the appropriate treatment, which may include surgery in recurring or severe cases. Conservative options involve carefully lifting and supporting the nail edge to reduce pressure on the skin. In more advanced cases, a podiatrist may recommend partial removal of the nail or removal of the nail matrix, the tissue located under the base of the nail, just beneath the cuticle and behind the nail plate, to prevent regrowth in the affected section. These approaches relieve pain, correct the ingrown edge, and lower the risk of infection or complications. If you have a problematic ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you suchedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our doctors of Favor Foot Ankle Leg & Wound Center. 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 office located in South Amboy, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sever’s disease is a common source of heel pain in growing children, particularly those who are active in sports. It occurs when the growth plate in the heel becomes inflamed, often due to repetitive stress or overuse. Symptoms include tenderness, swelling, and pain in the back of the heel that worsens during physical activity. Risk factors include rapid growth, high levels of athletic activity, tight calf muscles, and wearing improper footwear. A podiatrist can evaluate the condition, recommend stretching and strengthening exercises, provide supportive footwear or orthotics, and offer strategies to reduce stress on the heel. If your active child has heel pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective relief and management tips.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our doctors from Favor Foot Ankle Leg & Wound Center. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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