Anyone who cares about maintaining the health of their feet should be aware of plantar warts, an unsightly and uncomfortable foot condition. Plantar warts are callous-like growths on the feet that typically appear on the bottoms, or soles, of the feet. These warts are caused by the person-to-person transmission of different types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Plantar warts can range significantly in size, from small to giant cases. Children ages 12-16 are typically the most affected by this condition. Although it is true that many cases of plantar warts are painless and will eventually resolve themselves, you may have to visit a podiatrist. You should consider seeking out care from a podiatrist for your plantar warts if they begin bleeding or spreading, especially beyond your feet. You should also consider consulting with a podiatrist if they do not react positively to any self-care treatment. Upon your visit, a podiatrist will determine the best way to treat the warts, which may include cryosurgery, electrocautery, or the application of certain acids. If you have any concerns about your plantar warts, it may be best to seek out the help of a professional.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Although running can be an excellent way to burn your calories for the day, if you do not properly prepare your body beforehand, you may be setting yourself up for a foot injury. One way to help prevent an injury, is to roll out your feet using a foam foot roller or tennis ball. Often when runners do not roll out their feet before runs, their foot muscles become tighter and more restrictive, which can increase the stress felt on the ankle. This consequently increases the risk of injuries. By rolling out your feet, you can loosen the tissue and muscles in your feet. Besides preventing injuries, this technique also gives you more flexibility and movement in other parts of your body, including your legs. When rolling your feet, you might consider sitting to control the amount of pressure put on your feet, spending approximately two minutes per foot. While rolling out their feet, runners often look for areas on their feet that carry a particularly large amount of tension or tightness. Don’t take chances when it comes to your feet. You might consider reaching out to a podiatrist who can best help you prevent injuries during your runs.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM of Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Ingrown toenails are often painful. They typically develop due to wearing shoes that do not fit correctly and this can force the nail to grow into the surrounding skin. Furthermore, they can occur by improperly trimming the toenails or result from a toe injury. In addition to pain, this condition can be accompanied by swelling, redness, and pus that may drain from the affected toe. Some patients can find mild relief by soaking the foot in warm water and using a piece of cotton to push the skin away from the nail. This is considered to be temporary, and will most likely need professional attention soon after. An ingrown toenail may be more common in adults than children as well as people who have curved or thick nails. If you have symptoms of this condition, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM of Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

The foot condition that is known as plantar fasciitis affects the heel and the arch. It happens as a result of an inflamed plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that is located on the sole of the foot. It connects the heel to the toe. This problem is often painful. This is a common foot condition among athletes or in people who stand for long periods of time throughout the day. Plantar fasciitis gradually develops, and can cause pain while walking upon arising in the morning. Additionally, it may occur from genetic factors, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or from running on uneven surfaces. Many patients are aware of stretches that can be practiced which may bring mild relief. These can include a heel drop which is done by standing on a step, and lowering the heels one at a time until a gentle stretch is felt. Range of motion exercises can be done that may help to generally increase the strength of the overall foot. If you are afflicted with plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat this condition.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Eveleigh Williams, DPM from Sole 2 Sole, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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