Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Foot Health
Content

Foot Health

Your hardworking feet deserve some TLC. Learn how to avoid infections and injury and to safely stay on your feet.

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.

    View All Foot Health Articles

    Ask an Expert

    Carolyn E. McAloon

    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?

    Ask the Expert Team

    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?

    Carolyn E. McAloon

    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?

    Carolyn E. McAloon

    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

    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

    Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM

    SEBMF HMO Network

    My feet smell pretty stinky at the end of the day. What causes this, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?

    This is a very common foot problem, especially in the summertime. Foot odor is most commonly caused by bacteria or fungus and is often associated with sweaty feet. If you do suffer from athlete's foot or fungal... continue reading  about  My feet smell pretty stinky at the end of the day. What causes this, and is there anything I can do to prevent it?

    Carolyn E. McAloon

    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?

    Alexander M. Reyzelman

    Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM

    SEBMF HMO Network

    My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?

    The only treatment option for flat feet for a 7-year-old is to consider foot orthotics. Orthotics are a type of a shoe insert that is made from taking an impression cast of the foot. The idea behind using ortho... continue reading  about  My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?

    Carolyn E. McAloon

    Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM

    SEBMF HMO Network

    I am 40 and I get cramps so severe in my toes that they stiffen up in different directions. What could be the cause of this and should I be concerned?

    I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering from this painful, but common, condition. There are many possible causes of foot cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of water, especially if exercising, as dehydration c... continue reading  about  I am 40 and I get cramps so severe in my toes that they stiffen up in different directions. What could be the cause of this and should I be concerned?

    The Sutter Health Network of Care
    Expertise to fit your needs
    Primary Care

    Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

    Specialty Care

    Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

    Emergency Care

    For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

    Urgent Care

    After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

    Walk-In Care

    Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

    • Contact Us
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Request Medical Records
    • Make a Gift
    Sign in to My Health Online

    Billing and Insurance

    • Pay a Bill
    • Accepted Health Plans
    • Estimate Costs
    • Medicare Advantage

    About Sutter

    • About Our Network
    • Community Benefit
    • Annual Report
    • News

    Our Team

    • For Employees
    • For Medical Professionals
    • For Vendors
    • For Volunteers

    Careers

    • Jobs at Sutter
    • Physician Jobs
    • Graduate Medical Education

    Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    • ADA Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences