Understanding Athlete's Foot and Foot Bumps

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that causes itching, burning, and peeling skin, often between the toes or on the soles. It is typically caused by exposure to warm, moist environments like locker rooms, showers, or sweaty footwear, where the fungus thrives. In some cases, small red bumps or blisters may appear, adding discomfort and making walking painful. These bumps can also be caused by blocked sweat glands, clogged pores, or other skin conditions. The infected areas may look dry, scaly, cracked, or inflamed. A podiatrist can check the affected skin and identify the exact cause through a physical exam and possible lab tests. Treatment options include antifungal creams, oral medications, foot hygiene recommendations, and custom care plans for more persistent cases. Ignoring symptoms can lead to the infection worsening or spreading. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to receive a proper diagnosis and effective treatment before the condition progresses.

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 one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle.  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 offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek professional help and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

Have I Sprained My Ankle?

The ankle joint is defined as a hinge between the foot and the leg. There are bands of tissues that are referred to as ligaments, and these can tear as a result of a sprained ankle. This can happen as the ankle twists from falling, or while suddenly stepping off a curb. Common symptoms of an ankle sprain include severe pain, swelling,  and difficulty walking. If you have sprained your ankle, mild relief may be felt when the foot is elevated, and it is advised to refrain from putting any weight on the affected ankle. If you have injured your ankle, it is strongly suggested that you speak to a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can help you to manage and treat this condition.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Podiatric Care for a Broken Toe

A broken toe occurs when one of the small bones in the toe fractures due to trauma or pressure. Common causes include stubbing the toe against a hard surface, dropping a heavy object on the foot, or sports related injuries. Symptoms often involve sharp pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty walking or bearing weight. Left untreated, a broken toe can lead to long-term deformity or chronic pain. A podiatrist can assess the severity of the injury, recommend proper immobilization, provide pain management strategies, and guide rehabilitation to ensure proper healing. If you have symptoms of a broken toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to ensure safe healing.

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 Houston Foot and Ankle. 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 Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Ingrown Toenails in Children and Podiatric Care

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. In children, common causes include injury to the toe, rapid growth spurts, abnormal foot mechanics, improper nail trimming, or wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. These factors can increase pressure on the nail and surrounding tissue, making ingrown toenails more likely. Symptoms may include redness, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty while walking or wearing shoes comfortably. A podiatrist can evaluate the condition, provide safe and effective treatments, and offer guidance on proper nail care and footwear choices to prevent recurrence. If your child has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist appointment for expert pediatric foot care.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Houston Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Kingwood, Humble, The Woodlands, and Conroe, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Advanced Podiatric Procedures & Services in the Harris County, TX: Houston, Kingwood, Humble, Spring;  Atascosa County, TX: Atascocita; Montgomery County, TX: The Woodlands, Conroe, New Caney areas