It can be easy to notice a plantar wart, which is a small, hardened area on the bottom of the foot. They may have tiny black dots in the center and grow into the foot as a result of the pressure that is exerted by standing and walking. The medical term for this ailment is verruca plantaris, and it is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is considered to be contagious, and enters the body through small cracks in the skin of the feet. Research has shown there are two types of plantar warts. A single plantar wart is classified as a solitary plantar wart, though smaller warts may form from it. Mosaic plantar warts are found in clusters and may require more extensive treatment methods. Patients who have compromised immune systems may be susceptible to developing these types of warts, in addition to children and older people. Prevention techniques can include wearing appropriate footwear while in public shower rooms, locker rooms, or swimming pools. If you think you have plantar warts, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with correct treatment options. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. 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 one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis will affect 1 in 10 people, mostly between the ages of 40-60, or younger if they are runners, athletes or dancers. The plantar fascia is the web-like fibrous tissue connecting the heel bone with the toes on the sole of the feet. Stress, micro-tears or other damage to the plantar fascia can cause it to become inflamed, which results in plantar fasciitis. This inflammation, in turn, causes the plantar fascia to tighten during periods of rest or inactivity and typically produces a sharp, stabbing pain towards the middle of heel, where the plantar fascia attaches to it. Initially, once activity is resumed (after waking in the morning, for example), and the plantar fascia begins to stretch, the pain may subside, but will reoccur later in the day. Contributing factors to plantar fasciitis include obesity, foot structure disorders such as flat feet or high arches, having to stand for prolonged periods, and participating in sporting activities with repetitive stress on the plantar fascia (i.e., running and jogging). If you have heel pain, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine if plantar fasciitis is the cause and create a treatment plan to reduce your pain and help repair the plantar fascia.

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 Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. 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 one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A common location for patients to notice athlete's foot is between the toes. The symptoms can be uncomfortable and typically include severe itching, tingling, and possibly small blisters. Other places where athlete’s foot can appear are the bottom or sides of the foot. It is known to be contagious, and the fungus that causes this condition lives and thrives in warm and moist environments. These can include locker rooms, public swimming pools, and shower room floors. It can be spread by sharing towels, socks, and shoes. Additionally, many people wear appropriate shoes while in these types of areas as a preventative measure. If you have athlete’s foot, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can successfully treat this condition.

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 Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a bony protrusion of the foot, caused when the big toe pushes inward toward the other toes, and the head of the metatarsal below it pushes outward. This deformity, called hallux valgus, can become quite painful, because the bump that is formed rubs against the side of the shoe, becoming red and sore. Bunions also negatively affect how you walk and distribute your weight, and can cause other painful conditions, like metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot), and hammertoe. Common causes for bunions include wearing shoes and socks that do not allow for proper movement in the toe box, wearing high heels with pointy toes, and genetics. Several pads and braces are available over the counter to help ease the pain of bunions and temporarily straighten the toe. But as a rule, once a bunion is formed, the toe will not straighten out on its own. In the end, surgery is the most realistic treatment option, and even then, your toe may never be perfectly straight. If you have a bunion that is interfering with the activities in your life, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an examination and treatment plan.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM of Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

You may not think about it, but you use your toes daily as a matter of course. It is just part of getting around in life. Like other muscles, those in the toes can get tired, and sometimes they get cramped. Among the main causes of toe cramps are dehydration and overexertion. As you age, your muscle mass is reduced, yes, even in the toes. After the age of 40 it is particularly important to stay active to reduce the stress on the toe muscles. People with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease are even more likely to develop toe cramps as their level of activity diminishes. Low levels of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, sodium or magnesium may also contribute to cramping. There are a number of simple exercises you can do to keep your toes in shape. If excessive toe cramping is part of your life, It’s a good idea to consult a podiatrist for an examination and a treatment plan.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.