Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is caused by a dermatophyte, which is a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments like bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms. Simply coming in contact with a surface contaminated with this fungus can cause an infection. The result is an itchy, scaly rash that usually starts between the toes where it can sting or burn. Because athlete’s foot is extremely contagious, try to avoid touching it with your bare hands or you may inadvertently spread the infection to other parts of your body. Do not share towels or personal items with another person. Wear flip-flops while in locations that may be contaminated. In many cases, athlete’s foot will go away after applying certain lotions, sprays, or creams. However, reinfection is quite common if shoes, socks, and even bedding that may have been exposed are used again. A chiropodist can prescribe the most effective anti-fungal medication to clear up an athlete’s foot infection. But while it is still present,  wash your feet and wear clean socks every day, and protect your feet in public places. Most importantly, follow the directions given by your chiropodist for taking your medication.

Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. To learn more about preventing and treating this condition, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Athlete’s Foot? 

Athlete’s foot refers to an infection of the skin on the feet that is caused by a fungus. This fungus is contagious and thrives in warm and moist environments. It is often spread in common areas such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers. It can also spread when sharing personal items, like shoes or towels, with an infected person. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of athlete’s foot may include: 

• Itching, stinging, or burning of the skin on the feet
• Cracking or peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet
• Scaly, red rash on the foot
• Blisters
• Foul odor

Treatment

Treatment for athlete’s foot typically involves using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications on the feet. When over-the-counter options are ineffective, you may need to take prescription oral medications or topical antifungal drugs, or a combination of both. 

Prevention

Preventing athlete’s foot places an emphasis on good foot hygiene practices. 

You can prevent athlete’s foot by:

• Washing and drying your feet thoroughly every day
• Wearing shoes when walking in public areas
• Not sharing personal items, like shoes or socks, with others
• Wearing shoes and socks made out of breathable materials

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

Foot pain is common as our feet bear the weight of our bodies when we stand or walk. Pain can present itself in the toes, heels, arches, or soles of the feet and it can be mild to severe and temporary or chronic. Foot pain can be brought on by a medical condition or lifestyle choices. Lifestyle choices that can impact the feet include wearing ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes or there may have been an injury from activities or falls. Medical issues often associated with foot pain are arthritis, diabetes, and obesity. Such pain can come from corns, calluses, bunions, warts, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, athlete’s foot, fallen arches, and plantar fasciitis. Wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes, maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good foot hygiene, resting the feet, applying ice to the affected area, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and elevating the feet may relieve a lot of foot discomfort. However, if your foot pain continues or worsens or you are unable to place weight on the foot, consult with a chiropodist for a proper diagnosis and treatment regimen.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures
• Sinus tarsi syndrome
• Extensor tendonitis
• Tibialis anterior tendonitis
• Gout
• Athlete’s foot
• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Foot cramps
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fibromatosis
• Posterior tibial tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain
• Cuboid syndrome
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Bunions
• Corns or calluses
• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bone spurs
• Heel fractures
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout
• Hammertoe
• Turf toe
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

Maintaining healthy feet as one ages can help with mobility, and balance, and allows one to live independently longer. Older people may suffer from years of using their feet. Their feet tend to flatten and widen with age, and they can develop dry, cracked skin and other foot ailments from lack of care. One thing can lead to another and injuries like fractures can interfere with health and well-being. Taking care of the feet as one ages can include keeping the feet clean, dry, and moisturized, trimming toenails properly, monitoring foot sores, and wearing properly fitting footwear – primarily flat and closed-toed shoes with support and cushioning. Chiropodists can offer help in foot care services to the elderly and evaluation and treatment of emerging conditions. Regular chiropody visits are even more important if a senior has a health condition, like diabetes, that can affect their feet.

Foot problems can become increasingly common as we age, making everyday foot care especially important. To learn more about maintaining proper foot health, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Foot Problems

Certain foot problems may be more likely to affect older adults. 

Some examples of foot conditions that can be common in older adults include: 

• Dry, cracked skin
• Calluses and corns
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes
• Fungal infections
• Plantar warts

Systemic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, are also more likely to affect older people and manifest symptoms in the feet and ankles. 

Daily Foot Care Tips

Having a daily foot care routine can help detect problems early on and prevent future issues. 

Things that you can do at home to care for your feet include: 

• Washing the feet daily with warm water, drying them thoroughly, and then applying a moisturizer
• Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown toenails
• Performing daily foot exercises to improve foot strength and mobility
• Wearing shoes when walking to avoid injury
• Inspecting the feet daily for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities and seeking prompt treatment if any problems are discovered 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

Obesity affects every part of your body, including the feet. Since the feet bear the weight of the entire body as you go about your day, it’s not surprising that carrying excess weight can strain the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints of the feet. Having a high BMI is associated with an increased risk of arthritis, tendonitis, and heel pain due to wear and tear on the feet. Obese people are also more likely to develop diabetes, a systemic condition that can also damage foot health. Losing weight can decrease your risk of developing these problems. Your chiropodist can help you find the right shoes, recommend foot and ankle exercises, and prescribe orthotics to help you maintain your mobility and keep your lower limbs healthy. 

Being obese affects every part of your body, and your feet are no exception. Because they bear the full weight of your body as you go about your daily life, your feet are under a lot of pressure. Carrying excess weight can strain the feet and cause a variety of unpleasant side effects. If you are obese and concerned about your foot health, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Obesity can:

• Cause foot pain
• Increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries
• Reduce mobility
• Make the feet wider
• Flatten the arch
• Make gout more likely
• Make arthritis more likely
• Increase the risk of diabetes

Your chiropodist may suggest lifestyle changes to address foot and ankle problems that are caused by or affected by obesity. These may include changes to your diet, exercise, and footwear, as well as wearing orthotics. The treatments for specific injuries or health problems will vary depending on what they are, but weight loss is often suggested to decrease strain on the feet. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON .