Athlete's foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. There are various types, including chronic hyperkeratotic athlete’s foot, which causes dry, thick scaling on the soles and sides of the feet. Chronic intertriginous athlete’s foot develops between the toes, and produces redness, peeling skin, and itching. Acute ulcerative athlete’s foot is a more severe form that leads to painful sores and skin breakdown. Lastly, vesiculobullous athlete foot causes fluid filled blisters on the sole or arch. Risk factors include damp footwear, shared locker rooms, excessive sweating, and weakened immunity. A podiatrist can diagnose the infection and provide effective treatment to restore healthy skin. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide appropriate care, 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 Donovan Gowdie, DPM from The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center. 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 Watkinsville, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toe pain can arise from a variety of causes, ranging from minor injuries to underlying medical conditions. Wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes can compress the toes, leading to discomfort, corns, or calluses. Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. Sprained or stubbed toes from accidental trauma can also result in pain and difficulty walking. Medical conditions like gout may cause sudden, intense pain, redness, and swelling in the toes. Risk factors include high-impact activities, improper footwear, previous injuries, and certain health conditions. If you have toe pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Donovan Gowdie, DPM of The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Watkinsville, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Buying running shoes as a beginner requires careful attention to comfort, support, and proper fit. The right pair should feel comfortable immediately, with enough room in the toe box and secure support around the heel. Look for cushioning that matches your activity level and provides shock absorption without feeling unstable. A good fit allows natural foot movement while preventing slipping or pressure points. Quality running shoes are important because they help reduce stress on joints, improve alignment, and lower the risk of common overuse injuries. Trying shoes on later in the day, when feet are slightly swollen, can improve fit. A podiatrist can assess your foot type and gait to recommend suitable options. If you have foot or ankle pain from wearing the wrong running shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, and offer additional guidance on selecting the right running shoes.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Donovan Gowdie, DPM from The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Foot blisters develop when repeated friction, heat, or moisture causes the upper layers of skin to separate and fill with fluid. They commonly form during walking, running, or exercise, especially when shoes rub against the skin. New or poorly fitting footwear, thin socks, and seams inside shoes often increase friction. Excess moisture from sweating softens the skin, making it more vulnerable to blister formation. Foot structure can also play a role, as bunions, hammertoes, or prominent bones may create pressure points. Blisters are frequently seen during long periods of activity or sudden increases in exercise. Treatment focuses on protecting the area and reducing further irritation. Padding, blister covers, breathable socks, and properly fitted shoes help promote healing. Intact blisters should generally be left unbroken to reduce infection risk, especially without being under the care of a podiatrist. If blisters are recurrent, painful, or slow to heal, it is suggested that an evaluation by a podiatrist can help identify underlying causes, and guide treatment.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Donovan Gowdie, DPM of The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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