Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, usually between the toes. It commonly develops on the skin between the toes, on the bottoms of the feet, and around the toe pads. Athlete's foot is highly contagious. It can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, footwear, or shared facilities, like pools, shower areas, and gym locker rooms. Early signs include itching, redness, and burning sensations. Some people notice dry skin or mild discomfort when walking. Others develop skin irritation that becomes more noticeable as the infection progresses. In some cases, the infection affects one foot. It can also spread to both feet and become more difficult to manage.

Athlete's foot can appear in several forms. One common type causes cracked skin, peeling, and soreness between the toes. Another form creates a dry, scaly rash along the bottom and sides of the foot. This pattern is sometimes called moccasin-type athlete's foot because it follows the shape of a moccasin shoe. More severe infections include blisters, painful sores, and areas of inflamed skin. Some people experience persistent itching without obvious skin changes. Others develop thickened, flaky skin that resembles severe dryness. When bacteria enter damaged skin, additional symptoms include swelling, drainage, and increased pain. These signs require prompt medical attention from a podiatrist.

A podiatrist can diagnose athlete's foot by examining the affected skin and evaluating symptoms. In some cases, a small skin sample is collected and examined to confirm the presence of fungus. Professional treatment focuses on eliminating the infection and preventing complications. Untreated athlete's foot can continue to spread and lead to ongoing skin damage. It can also affect the toenails, causing discoloration and thickening. If you have symptoms of an athlete's foot infection, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and effective relief and treatment plan.

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 Shawn Echard, DPM from Laurel Podiatry LLC.  Our practitioner 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 offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A hammertoe develops when a smaller toe bends at one or two of its joints instead of remaining straight. The bent toe can rub against shoes, creating painful corns, calluses, or irritated skin. As the deformity becomes more severe, the toe becomes harder to straighten and daily activities become less comfortable. When other treatments no longer provide enough relief, hammertoe surgery can correct the toe's position and reduce pain. Surgery also removes the bony bump that forms from the bent joint. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day. A podiatrist determines which type of surgery is best. This is based on the shape of the toe, the condition of the joint, and overall foot health.

Hammertoe surgery usually takes about 30 minutes and is commonly performed with a local anesthetic, which numbs the foot while the patient remains awake. One procedure removes part of the joint while allowing some movement to remain. Another procedure removes the entire joint and straightens the toe. The goal is to create a straighter toe, improve comfort, and make wearing less painful. Like any operation, hammertoe surgery includes possible risks. These include infection, delayed healing, or the toe becoming stiff. A podiatrist explains these risks before surgery and answers questions so patients understand what to expect.

Regular follow-up visits with a podiatrist help ensure proper healing and monitor progress. A special surgical shoe protects the foot after the procedure, and the podiatrist checks the incision, removes any temporary wire, and determines when normal activities can safely resume. Most patients notice improved toe alignment and greater comfort once healing is complete. Correcting the deformity also reduces pressure that previously caused painful corns and calluses. If you have a painful hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can discuss the benefits of this type of foot surgery with you.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Shawn Echard, DPM of Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sever’s disease is a painful heel condition that affects growing children, especially those who participate in running or jumping sports. It is not a disease in the usual sense but an irritation of the heel’s growth plate, which is the area where new bone is still forming. This growth plate sits at the back of the heel bone, near where the Achilles tendon attaches. When a child runs, jumps, or lands hard, repeated pulling and pressure can irritate this area. Soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and football can place extra stress on the heel.

Heel pain from Sever’s disease usually develops slowly. A child may describe the pain as feeling like a bruise at the back or bottom of the heel. The pain is usually worse with sports, running in cleats, or wearing shoes that lack adequate support. Swelling and bruising are not always seen. Some children limp, walk on their toes, or stop wanting to play. Tight calf muscles, flat feet, and high-arched feet can increase stress on the heel. A podiatrist can examine the heel, check the foot structure, and look at how the child walks.

Diagnosis does not rely on symptoms alone. A podiatrist can tell whether the pain is from Sever’s disease or another problem. X-rays can be ordered to check bone growth and rule out other causes of heel pain. A stress fracture, tendon irritation, or a bone cyst may produce similar symptoms. Treatment of Sever’s disease includes shoe changes, heel lifts, custom orthotics, and activity guidance based on the child’s exam. A podiatrist can also address tight calf muscles and foot mechanics that add strain to the heel. If your active child complains of heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and effective relief tips.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Shawn Echard, DPM from Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner 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 offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Persistent lateral ankle pain refers to ongoing pain on the outer side of the ankle that does not fully improve after an injury or continues without a clear cause. Many people assume the discomfort is simply the result of a previous ankle sprain, but pain that lasts for weeks or months can point to other problems that require a closer evaluation. Symptoms include aching, tenderness, swelling, and a feeling of weakness around the ankle. Some people notice pain when walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods. The ankle may feel unstable, and some patients report that it occasionally gives way. 

Because several conditions can cause pain on the side of the ankle, an accurate diagnosis is important. A podiatrist will begin by discussing the patient's symptoms, previous injuries, and activity level. The ankle and foot are then carefully examined for swelling, tenderness, weakness, and signs of instability. The podiatrist may ask the patient to move the foot in different directions to determine which movements cause discomfort. Walking patterns and foot structure are also evaluated because abnormal foot mechanics can place extra stress on the ankle.

Imaging studies like X-rays can help rule out bone injuries. Additional imaging may be used to examine the soft tissues surrounding the ankle. Conditions linked to persistent lateral ankle pain include lingering effects of an ankle sprain, irritation of the tendons along the outside of the ankle, and small tears in soft tissue. Hidden injuries that were not recognized when the pain first began can also be responsible. Identifying the source of the pain as early as possible can help prevent worsening symptoms and improve recovery. If you have persistent pain on the side of the ankle, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Shawn Echard, DPM from Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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