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When Thickened Skin Becomes Painful

Corns and callouses develop when the skin responds to repeated pressure or friction by becoming thicker and harder. Corns are usually smaller and form on the tops or sides of toes, often with a central core that presses into deeper tissue. Callouses are broader areas of thickened skin that commonly appear on the soles of the feet, especially under the heel or ball of the foot. The skin may look yellowed or rough, and patients often describe tenderness while walking or wearing certain shoes. Tight footwear, foot deformities, and abnormal walking patterns can all contribute to their formation. A podiatrist begins with a careful examination to identify the source of pressure. Treatment includes gentle trimming of the thickened skin, padding, custom orthotics, and guidance on proper footwear. Targeted exercises may also improve foot alignment and reduce recurrence. If you have painful corns or callouses, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for evaluation and appropriate care.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Read more about Everything You Need to Know About Corns

Symptoms and Causes of Metatarsal Pain

Metatarsal pain, known as metatarsalgia, occurs in the ball of the foot where long bones of the foot absorb body weight during standing and walking. People often notice burning, sharp, or aching discomfort beneath the toes, sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling, or a feeling of walking on a stone. Symptoms worsen with activity, standing, or tight footwear. Causes of metatarsal pain include repetitive impact from sports, stress fractures, arthritis, and high arches. Toe deformities, such as hammertoes, and pressure shifts created by narrow or high heeled shoes are other factors. A podiatrist can perform a biomechanical examination, evaluate gait patterns, order imaging, and provide care that redistributes pressure and treats the disorder to prevent progression and complications. If you have pain in the ball of the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and ongoing treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Nerve Damage to the Feet

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that commonly affects the feet first because the longest nerves are most vulnerable to damage. It often develops in both feet and may cause tingling, burning, sharp shooting pain, or unusual sensitivity. As the peripheral neuropathy progresses, painful sensations may lessen and be replaced by numbness, weakness, or a persistent cold feeling, which reduces the body’s natural warning system. People may not notice injuries, pressure areas, or skin breakdown, which increases the risk of infection and structural problems. A podiatrist performs detailed neurological and vascular examinations, evaluates muscle strength and foot structure, and tests sensation with specialized instruments. Diagnostic studies may be recommended to measure nerve function and determine severity. Treatment options include protective care, pressure relief strategies, medical management of complications, and ongoing monitoring to prevent ulcers or deformity. If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

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 one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Care of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body regulates blood sugar and can lead to reduced circulation and nerve damage in the feet. One serious complication is a diabetic foot ulcer, which is an open wound that may develop due to pressure, injury, or unnoticed trauma. Proper care is essential to prevent infection and further damage. Treatment often includes carefully cleaning and disinfecting the wound, performing debridement to remove unhealthy tissue, and taking pressure off the foot to allow healing. Ongoing monitoring is critical for recovery. A podiatrist plays a key role by managing wound care, addressing pressure points, and guiding prevention strategies. If you have diabetes or notice a wound on your foot that is not healing properly, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you manage this serious condition. 

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 one of our podiatrists from Lakewood Family Foot and Ankle. 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 Lakewood, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Wound Care

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

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