Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that typically affects the skin between the toes, though it can spread to other areas of the foot. It often appears as red, itchy, and scaly patches, sometimes with blisters or cracks in the skin. The infection causes a burning or stinging sensation and can lead to peeling skin or thickened areas, particularly on the soles or edges of the foot. Athlete's foot spreads easily through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as locker room floors, showers, or towels, making it extremely contagious. If left untreated, the infection can worsen, leading to more widespread skin damage, secondary bacterial infections, or even spreading to the nails, causing onychomycosis. Treatment and prevention include keeping feet clean and dry and wearing breathable footwear. In persistent cases, prescription-strength antifungal medications may be needed to fully resolve the infection. If you have athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for care.

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 Michele Kraft, DPM from Toes on the Go.  Our doctor 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 office located in Carmel, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is a type of arthritis that primarily impacts the spine but can also affect other areas, including the heel. In people with AS, inflammation can extend to the tendons and ligaments surrounding the heel, causing significant discomfort. This condition can lead to heel pain, swelling, and stiffness, which may worsen with activity or after prolonged periods of rest. Often, the inflammation in the heel is due to enthesitis, which is inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone. Managing heel pain associated with Ankylosing spondylitis typically involves a combination of medications to reduce inflammation, exercises to improve mobility, and proper footwear to provide adequate support. If you are experiencing heel pain and suspect it might be linked to AS, it is suggested that you seek specialized care from a podiatrist. A podiatrist can offer targeted treatments and strategies to alleviate discomfort and improve your quality of life.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Michele Kraft, DPM of Toes on the Go. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Pediatric foot and ankle pain can arise from various factors, including skeletal maturity, minor trauma, repetitive stress, and abnormal biomechanics. As children grow, their bones and joints are still developing, which can sometimes lead to discomfort or pain due to changes in skeletal maturity. Minor trauma, such as a twist or bump, can also result in localized pain. Repetitive stress from activities like running or sports can strain growing tissues and cause discomfort. Abnormal biomechanics, including issues like flat feet or improper foot alignment, can contribute to chronic pain and discomfort. Addressing these causes with appropriate interventions, such as proper footwear and medical evaluation, is essential for managing symptoms. If your child has foot or ankle pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause and offer effective treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Michele Kraft, DPM from Toes on the Go. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Clubfoot is a congenital condition where a baby’s foot or feet are abnormally twisted. This deformity causes the foot to point downward and inward, resembling a club. It occurs due to an abnormal development of the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot. The exact cause is often unclear but may involve genetic and environmental factors. Diagnosis typically occurs through physical examination shortly after birth, where the abnormal positioning is evident. In some cases, clubfoot affects both feet, known as bilateral clubfeet. Symptoms include an abnormal foot shape, limited movement, and difficulty placing the foot flat on the ground. If your child has clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the condition, and begin treatment which may include specific stretches, casting, or surgery to increase mobility. 

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Michele Kraft, DPM of Toes on the Go. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Carmel, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain can come from different parts of the ankle, including bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. One common cause is a sprain in a ligament on the outside of the ankle, called the anterior talofibular ligament, which can get overstretched or torn if you twist your ankle suddenly. Pain on the inside of the ankle might be due to an injury to the deltoid ligament, which helps support the inner side of the ankle, and this can happen if you twist your ankle inwards or suffer a blow. Pain higher up on the ankle, near where the shin bones meet, can occur if the ligaments that hold those bones together are injured, often from a severe twisting motion. Muscles in the ankle can also get strained from overuse, and nerves can become painful due to conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is similar to carpal tunnel in the wrist. Injuries to tendons, like the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, can also cause significant pain. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Michele Kraft, DPM from Toes on the Go. Our doctor 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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 office located in Carmel, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.