FAQ

What are the typical symptoms of an ankle sprain?

Symptoms usually include pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the ankle joint. Many people notice stiffness and difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot. More severe sprains may cause significant instability or a feeling that the ankle may give way. Symptoms often worsen within the first 24 hours after injury.

When should someone see a podiatrist for bunions?

A podiatrist should be consulted when bunion pain interferes with daily activities or footwear choices. Persistent swelling, worsening deformity, or limited toe movement also warrant evaluation. A podiatrist can assess severity, identify contributing factors, and recommend appropriate treatment options. In some cases, surgical correction may be discussed if conservative care does not provide relief.

What are flat feet, and how do they affect the feet and ankles?

Flat feet occur when the arches of the feet are low or collapse, allowing the entire sole to contact the ground. This change in alignment can affect how the feet absorb shock during walking. When arch support is limited, extra strain may be placed on the ankles and lower legs. Over time, this altered mechanics can contribute to pain or fatigue. The impact varies from person to person depending on activity level and foot structure.

Can hammertoes develop in more than one toe at the same time?

Hammertoes can affect more than one toe on the same foot. It is common for the second, third, or fourth toes to be involved together. When multiple toes are affected, pressure and imbalance across the foot may increase. This can lead to additional discomfort in the ball of the foot and changes in walking patterns. Treating overall foot mechanics becomes especially important when several toes are involved.

Why are foot wounds more dangerous for people with diabetes?

Diabetes can reduce circulation and nerve sensation in the feet, making it harder to feel injuries and more difficult for wounds to heal properly, increasing the risk of infection.

What causes heel spurs to form?

Heel spurs are caused by long-term strain on the foot muscles and ligaments, particularly where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. Factors such as improper footwear, high-impact activities, obesity, flat feet, or high arches can increase the risk by placing extra stress on the heel.

What causes foot corns to keep coming back?

Corns often return when the source of pressure or friction is not corrected. Wearing the same tight or poorly fitting shoes can quickly lead to recurrence. Structural foot issues such as toe deformities may also contribute to ongoing pressure. Treating only the skin without addressing the cause usually provides only temporary relief.

Is athlete’s foot contagious?

Athlete’s foot can spread through direct skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces such as floors, towels, or shoes. The fungus can pass easily in shared environments where people walk barefoot. Wearing protective footwear in public areas can reduce the risk of transmission. Good hygiene practices also help limit spread to others.

Where in the foot does pain most often occur?

Foot pain can occur in the heel, arch, ball of the foot, toes, or along the sides of the foot. Heel pain is often linked to strain or inflammation of supporting tissues. Pain in the arch may be related to poor support or abnormal mechanics. Forefoot pain can result from pressure during walking or standing. The location of pain often provides clues about its source.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, most commonly on the big toe. This can cause pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection if bacteria enter the skin.

Blog

How to Treat Your Toenail Fungus

Created: Tuesday, 24 February 2026

While not a serious issue, toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition to experience. Toenail fungus is often caused from public areas that harbor fungi and improper cleaning/drying of the foot. Once infected, the fungus grows deeper into the nail and can be very hard to get rid of.

There are different types of fungus that cause toenail fungus. Dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds are the most frequent forms of fungus to infect the toenail. Dermatophytes are the most common among the three. Symptoms associated with fungal nails include the discoloration of the toenail, brittleness, and in some circumstances, a smell. Pain is rarely a symptom caused by toenail fungus.

Diagnosis of fungal nails is generally a rather quick process. However podiatrists will make sure that the cause is not another condition such as lichen planus, psoriasis, onychogryphosis, or nail damage. Podiatrists will make use of fungal cultures and microscopy to verify that it is fungus.

While over-the-counter ointments are readily available, most are ineffective. This is due to the fact that the nail is very protective and that the fungus slips in between the nail plate and bed. Podiatrists can offer oral medication which currently provides the best results.

Ultimately, prevention is the best line of defense against toenail fungus. Avoid unsanitary public showers. If you do use a public shower, use shower shoes to provide your foot with protection. Once you are finished showering, make sure to thoroughly dry your feet. Fungi thrive in warm, dark, and moist places like sweaty, warm feet that are left dark in shoes all day.

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