Items filtered by date: February 2023

Though its name would imply the skin condition known as athlete’s foot is specific to athletes, that is not the case. Anyone can get this fungal infection. It is said to be more common in specific geographic regions, and tends to impact the elderly who have a weakened immune system or other conditions affecting the lower leg.  Athlete’s foot is also referred to as tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot. It is generally characterized by flaking, itching, and a burning sensation between the toes and the skin on the feet. Sometimes the skin will appear to be blistered and may crack. This condition comes from a moist environment combined with a fungus called Trichophyton. Athlete’s foot is highly contagious and can spread through physical contact or from sharing towels, sheets, socks, and shoes. It is an infection that can also spread to the toenails causing them to become discolored, brittle, and ragged. If you believe you have athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

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 Amir Shalev, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor 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 Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot corns and calluses are small areas of thick, raised, and hardened skin on the feet. These result from excessive friction or pressure on the skin and can cause pain. Calluses generally occur on the soles of the feet, around the toes. They are larger and flatter than corns. Corns tend to be smaller, circular in shape, and yellow or white in color. Corns press into deeper layers of the skin and are usually found on the top, side, or in-between toes. Usually, these come from wearing ill-fitting shoes and doing a lot of walking. Corns and calluses are usually not serious and can be dealt with by practicing good foot hygiene, wearing shoes that fit well, and using shoe inserts. Sometimes, medicine is required, and if they become infected or cause ulcers, surgery might also be necessary. If you have corns or calluses that do not respond to better foot care and footwear, and if they appear to be worsening, it is wise to see a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment suggestions.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Amir Shalev, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Anyone who has a serious foot condition and is considering undergoing some kind of foot surgery ought to know about complex regional pain syndrome, also referred to as CRPS. Importantly, CRPS is what is referred to as pain that can sometimes be felt as a symptom of foot surgery, and it can occur after a surgical procedure on the feet. The good news about CRPS is that it is not a relatively common condition. However, it can be helpful to be familiar with it. When an individual does feel CRPS as a result of foot surgery, they might experience a particular kind of burning pain in their legs. There are a variety of different ways that one might go about treating a case of CRPS, including physical therapy and nerve-stabilizing medication. If you are someone that is considering foot surgery, contact a podiatrist today to discuss the procedure and CRPS.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Amir Shalev, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When an individual engages in physical exercise, it is important for them to use proper form so that they do not exacerbate any kind of underlying foot pain. One important form of exercise that can potentially illuminate existing foot pain is rowing. Whether you are using a rowing machine or rowing a boat in an actual body of water, you might feel existing foot pain while rowing. Luckily, rowing itself as a form of exercise is not terribly hard on the feet. In other words, rowing does not exert a lot of pressure on the feet. However, if you already have a stress fracture of some sort, rowing might make the foot pain particularly poignant. If you have foot pain on the ball of your feet while rowing and there are signs of swelling or redness, it is possible that you might have a stress fracture of some kind. Additionally, stretching the feet might be a way to mitigate pain during rowing. Contact a podiatrist today if you are a rower and are concerned about foot pain.

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 Amir Shalev, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor 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 doctor 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 Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.