What do you know about Athlete’s Foot?

1. Athlete’s foot is:

A. A bacterial infection

B. A fungal infection

2. You can get athlete’s foot by:

A. Touching the feet of a person who has it

B. Walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces

C. Both A and B

3. True or false? You can spread athlete’s foot even if you don’t have the infection yourself.

4. Which is not a symptom of athlete’s foot?

A. Itching

B. Burning

C. Ingrown toe nails

D. Peeling

5. True or false? After you have athlete’s foot, you are more likely to get it again.

6. The medical term for athlete’s foot is:

A. Tinea Pedis

B. Osteophyte

B. Talipes Equinovarus

7. How many types of athlete’s foot are there?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

8. What are they?

A. Toe web infection

B. Moccasin-type infection

C. Arch infection

D. Vesicular Infection

If your athlete's foot does not resolve from over the counter medications, see a physician. He will be able to confirm a diagnosis and create a plan of treatment.

For answers, check the comments below.

Image by Tiffany Terry. Question Mark? (2011). Flickr.

Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a swollen or thickened nerve in the ball of your foot. When tight shoes pinch the toes together too often over a period of time, the nerves that course between the toes can swell and get thicker. Morton’s neuroma causes a burning or sharp pain, most often between the third and fourth toe. You may also experience numbness or a pins and needles feeling. Sometimes it feels like there is a lump inside the ball of the foot.

A physician can typically diagnose this problem via a physical examination. He may squeeze your toes together and press on the bottom of your foot to see if it causes pain. An x-ray may be used to rule out other causes of pain.

At home treatments include:

• Icing the area for 10-15 minutes at a time
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and swelling
• Resting and limiting activities that stress the area
• Massaging the foot to relax the muscles around the nerve
• Switching to shoes that leave enough room for the toes

If these steps do not provide relief, a physician will be able to recommend the next course of action. This may include devices that spread the toes to avoid squeezing the nerve, orthotics, steroid shots and surgery. 

Image by Elvert Barnes. Self.Hand.Foot.SW.WDC.30nov05. (2005). Flickr.

Cold Weather Foot Protection

The groundhog has predicted more cold weather to come. When spending time outside, it is important to dress appropriately and listen to your body. Follow these cold weather tips to keep those lower extremities safe from plunging temperatures.

Wet feet can result in frostbite. Help keep feet dry by wearing boots made of water-resistant synthetics or water-proof leather.

Wear socks that wick away moisture.

When snow is present, wear boots that come above your ankle in order to keep snow from sneaking in.

If feet do get wet, go back indoors to dry off and put on a dry pair of socks.

Boots with fleece lining will help to keep feet insulated.

If you feel feet becoming cold and toes starting to become numb, take a break from the harsh weather and step inside to warm up.

Wear shoes with traction to prevent slipping on ice.

Be sure to stretch prior to outdoor activities. Lower temperatures means muscles take longer to warm up, which can leave you vulnerable to muscle injuries.

Image by Malika Ladak. Sorels. (2013). Flickr.

Blisters

Blisters are a common occurrence that can typically be treated at home. These fluid-filled lesions can develop for many reasons and can be painful or irritating. The most common reason blisters pop up is wearing new or ill-fitting shoes that rub against your skin. It is also possible for blisters to develop from injuries to the skin such as burns from heat or chemicals, exposure to freezing temperatures, and pinching.

A small, unbroken blister will typically heal on its own. Wear a loose bandage over the area to protect it from irritation.

Blisters that are on the bottom of the foot can be protected from pressure with a circular pad that has a cutout in the middle (the pharmacist at your local drug store can be helpful in finding this). The area over the blister should be left open.

A large, painful blister may have to be drained. It is best not to do this on your own. The broken skin is at a risk for getting infected. Your physician will be able to properly treat the area.

If a blister pops naturally, wash the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment and a fresh bandage. Keep the area dry and clean and let the wound breath at night. Be sure to check the area frequently for any signs of infection.

If any of the following happens, call your physician:

Your blister becomes warm, red, swollen or increasingly painful

You develop a fever or flu like symptoms

Your blister develops pus 

Image by Clay Junell. Juicy Running Blister. (2008). Flickr.

What do you know about Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Test your knowledge on this foot problem by checking your answers in the comments section below.

1. The plantar fascia is:

A) A tendon

B) A ligament

C) A muscle

2. What is not a cause of plantar fasciitis?

A) Rolling the feet inward while walking

B) High arches or flat feet

C) Bunions

D) Running, walking or standing for long periods

3. True or false: The plantar fascia connects the heel bone to the toes.

4. Pain may come about:

A) Taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning

B) When climbing stairs

C) While sleeping

D) Both A and B

5. True or false: Runners can decrease their chance of developing plantar fasciitis if they abruptly change how hard or long they run.

6. True or false: An x-ray can show if you have plantar fasciitis.

7. Which are treatments that help plantar fasciitis?

A) Stretches

B) Steroid shots

C) Nighttime splints

D) All of the above

Image by Heels and Feet. Heels and Arches Closeup. (2006). Flickr.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the muscle that come without warning. They can come about while you are in the middle of an activity like running or even while you are sleeping. They cause a sharp pain in the foot which can last several minutes.The area can also feel hard and tight.

There are many causes for muscle cramps including:

Overworked/fatigued muscles

Poor circulation

Dehydration

An imbalance in potassium, magnesium, calcium or vitamin D

Certain thyroid disorders

Pregnancy

Certain medications

When a muscle spasm starts, it may help to massage the area, stretch the muscle, and put ice or heat on the area. Strengthening exercise can help with spasms due to fatigued muscles. Eating foods high in vitamins, magnesium and calcium can help to prevent cramps due to deficiencies. If muscle spasms are frequent or severe, it is best to talk to your doctor about what could be causing them and the best way to prevent them.

Image by Jessica Jasper. Feet. (2009). Flickr.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections can develop in the foot as a result of minor cuts or abrasions. Typically cleaning the area and keeping it bandaged is enough to avoid infection until the wound heals. Sometimes, however, your body cannot fight off infections, and the following can happen:

• Your foot can expel discharge or pus.
• You can experience tingling or pain in the heel without applying any pressure to the foot.
• The affected area can become red and warm to the touch.
• You can develop a fever.
• The area can swell and be tender and painful.
• The pain may not be alleviated by ice or over-the-counter painkillers.
• The infection can spread to other areas of the foot, such as under the nail.

If you experience any the above symptoms, make an appointment right away to figure out the best way to treat the infection. People with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections. If you have diabetes and have an abrasion on your foot, it is even more important to keep the area clean and monitor it for changes. 

Image by Jorge Corcuera. Tiritas de Sam #bandaid. (2012). Flickr.