Help for Foot Infections
Athlete’s foot, plantar warts and other foot infections need prompt attention. Learn how to avoid and treat these common problems.
Make Your Pedicure Safe
Don’t let an at-home or salon pedicure lead to ingrown toenails or fungal infections. Practice preventive measures for healthy toes.
Care for Foot Bunions
An inflamed bunion can cause pain and instability. Learn how to prevent and treat bunions before they get worse.
Featured Articles
Help for Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Explore daily self-care measures and other treatments for heel pain.
Why You May Need Orthotics
When foot pain and discomfort persists, consider customized shoe inserts.
Care for Foot Bunions
Learn how to prevent and treat bunions before they get worse.
Ask an Expert
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
Do women wearing high heels experience/suffer from shortened Achilles tendons? Does wearing flat heels cause pain for high heel wearers? Are there any therapeutic exercises or stretches that can help?
Yes, women who wear high heels can develop a shortening of the Achilles tendon. The height of the heel and how long she has been wearing this type of shoe are contributing factors. As you note, many ladies who ... continue reading about Do women wearing high heels experience/suffer from shortened Achilles tendons? Does wearing flat heels cause pain for high heel wearers? Are there any therapeutic exercises or stretches that can help?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
For the past five to six years, the balls of my feet hurt and burn all the time. I've tried inserts, Dansko shoes, foot soaks, as well as pain and nerve medications. Any suggestions?
Pain on the ball of the foot has many possible causes. It's important to find the underlying cause. Is it a musculoskeletal problem (muscle, tendon, ligament, bone or local nerve entrapment)? Or is it a neurolo... continue reading about For the past five to six years, the balls of my feet hurt and burn all the time. I've tried inserts, Dansko shoes, foot soaks, as well as pain and nerve medications. Any suggestions?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
I have an ingrown toenail that is causing pain and swelling. How should I treat this? Also, is there anything I can do to prevent the other toenails from doing the same thing?
An ingrown toenail is a very painful problem, and if you're having redness and swelling, you should see a podiatrist.The treatment will almost always involve removing the offending nail border. It's a very simp... continue reading about I have an ingrown toenail that is causing pain and swelling. How should I treat this? Also, is there anything I can do to prevent the other toenails from doing the same thing?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
I have pain across the ball of my right foot, making it tender to walk on. I've been doing a new type of activity - dancing Zumba in new shoes - but this pain showed up five days after the last class. Could it be related? If not, what are likely causes?
Zumba is fun, but this new activity can certainly be the cause of your foot pain. You are right to be concerned because foot pain is not normal. There are a number of common foot problems that can cause pain in... continue reading about I have pain across the ball of my right foot, making it tender to walk on. I've been doing a new type of activity - dancing Zumba in new shoes - but this pain showed up five days after the last class. Could it be related? If not, what are likely causes?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Our feet undergo changes throughout our lives. This is because the twenty six bones are supported and held together by a complex myriad of ligaments, tendons and muscles. As we age, and especially if we gain we... continue reading about I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have an ingrown toenail that I want to treat at home. How do I do it?
First, decide whether you should see your podiatrist. If you are diabetic or have poor circulation, there is a greater risk of infection and complications caused by an ingrown toenail or attempts to trim the na... continue reading about I have an ingrown toenail that I want to treat at home. How do I do it?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What is the cause of numbness of toes and is there anything that will help this?
There are many causes of numb toes. There are treatments that can help once the correct diagnosis is made. Numbness is usually a symptom of an unhappy nerve. Some causes are reversible and some are not. There m... continue reading about What is the cause of numbness of toes and is there anything that will help this?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I have neuropathy in both feet and legs. They feel heavy and at night they sometimes burn. My feet feel like I have a second skin, which makes it difficult to wiggle my toes and arch my feet.
Pain from neuropathy can be quite problematic. It is often described as a burning or a "pins and needles" sensation. This pain is often more noticeable at bedtime and can therefore disrupt sleep. The first step... continue reading about I have neuropathy in both feet and legs. They feel heavy and at night they sometimes burn. My feet feel like I have a second skin, which makes it difficult to wiggle my toes and arch my feet.
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
My doctor diagnosed an irritated nerve in my foot and told me to take anti-inflammatory medication and stay out of my high heels. I'm doing both, but I'm still in a lot of pain. Will anything else help?
I am sorry to hear about your foot pain. If you have an irritated nerve in your foot (neuroma), then it was excellent advice to change out of your high heels and take an anti-inflammatory, as it is important to... continue reading about My doctor diagnosed an irritated nerve in my foot and told me to take anti-inflammatory medication and stay out of my high heels. I'm doing both, but I'm still in a lot of pain. Will anything else help?
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