Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, often appearing as red, itchy, peeling, or cracked areas between the toes. It is caused by fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments like locker rooms and around swimming pools. When you swim with athlete's foot, the condition can spread more easily to others and may worsen due to prolonged moisture. You might notice increased burning, itching, or scaling after time in the water. A podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis, rule out similar conditions, and prescribe targeted antifungal treatments such as topical creams or oral medications. They can also monitor healing and help prevent complications like secondary bacterial infections. Ignoring symptoms can lead to the spread across nails or other body areas over time. If you have persistent symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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

Peripheral neuropathy involves damage or destruction of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. They transmit signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Damage can be caused by diabetes, infections, toxins, or trauma. Sensory neuropathy affects the ability to feel pain, temperature, and touch. Motor neuropathy impacts muscle control and movement. Autonomic neuropathy affects involuntary functions, such as sweating and blood flow regulation. Risk factors include long-standing diabetes, excessive alcohol use, and certain medical conditions. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning pain, and muscle weakness in the feet, often leading to balance problems and injury risk. A podiatrist can assess nerve function, identify complications, and provide treatment to protect the feet from injury. If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and management solutions.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Top of foot pain can result from several conditions that affect bones, nerves, and joints. Arthritis is joint inflammation that causes stiffness and aching. Bone spurs are bony growths that develop from long-term pressure or joint stress. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that leads to burning, tingling, or numbness in the foot. A stress fracture is a small bone crack caused by repetitive impact or overuse. Each of these conditions can limit mobility and worsen without proper treatment. Risk factors include repetitive activity, wearing improper footwear, aging, and underlying health conditions. A podiatrist can diagnose the exact cause through examination and imaging, then provide treatments such as orthotics, medication guidance, or activity modification. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors 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 New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Puncture wounds from pedaling injuries are common in children and teens and occur when the foot slips off a bicycle pedal and strikes the sharp metal surface. This can cause small but deep wounds that may introduce bacteria into the skin. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, swelling, and tenderness. In some cases, signs of infection such as redness or drainage may develop. Risk factors include bike riding without proper footwear, wet or worn pedals, and lack of experience or control while cycling. Without prompt care, complications can arise. A podiatrist can help by properly cleaning the wound to prevent infection and guiding healing. If your child has a foot injury from cycling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective treatment.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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