Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, most often between the toes. It thrives in warm, moist environments such as locker rooms, public showers, and sweaty shoes. Symptoms may include itching, redness, peeling, or cracking skin, sometimes with a burning sensation. In more persistent cases, the infection can spread to the toenails or other areas of the body. Preventive steps include keeping feet clean and dry, wearing breathable socks, and avoiding walking barefoot in public places. Over-the-counter antifungal creams or sprays often provide relief, but stubborn infections may require prescription treatment. Because untreated athlete’s foot can return or spread, consistent care is important. If you are dealing with ongoing irritation or suspect athlete’s foot that is not improving, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and management.

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 one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. 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 offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Orthotics play an essential role in enhancing the running experience, particularly for those facing foot-related challenges. Custom-made for the individual runner, orthotics provide targeted support, addressing specific biomechanical issues, such as overpronation or supination, common in runners. This tailored support helps in aligning the foot and ankle, leading to a more efficient and natural running gait. By distributing pressure evenly across the foot, orthotics reduce the strain on key areas, notably the arch and heel, thus preventing common injuries like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. They also offer improved shock absorption, important in reducing the impact on joints during running. This not only enhances comfort but also minimizes the risk of injury. Furthermore, for runners with existing foot conditions, orthotics can be a game-changer, enabling them to continue their passion with reduced pain and discomfort. If you are a runner and want improved comfort, performance, and fewer injuries, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss how custom orthotics can help you.

Custom orthotics can be an important solution for reducing foot pain by targeting its structural causes rather than just the symptoms. When the feet are misaligned, excess strain develops in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often resulting in discomfort in the arches, balls of the feet, or toes. Orthotics are designed to match each foot’s natural shape, supporting proper alignment and evenly distributing pressure to ease pain and improve movement.

Foot pain is commonly caused by overuse, wearing improper footwear, or biomechanical issues that place added stress on sensitive areas. By stabilizing the foot and restoring natural motion, custom orthotics help reduce strain, calm inflammation, and promote healing. Many patients experience lasting relief and greater comfort while walking, standing, or exercising.

Created from a detailed assessment using advanced imaging or casting, each pair of orthotics is tailored to your individual needs. If you are experiencing ongoing foot pain, it is suggested that you contact our office for an evaluation and treatment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA .

If you are overweight, or wear high heeled/narrow-toed shoes, you may be more at risk for developing Morton’s Neuroma. Morton’s Neuroma is a non-cancerous thickening of the nerve between toes, usually the 3rd and 4th toes, which causes tingling, burning, inflammation and irritation. As the thickened nerve expands, it becomes further irritated by the surrounding bones and ligaments it comes in contact with. Morton’s Neuroma—also known as interdigital neuroma, intermetatarsal neuroma, and forefoot neuroma—typically occurs in only one foot and is more common in women than men. If you experience pain or feel as if a pebble is stuck in the ball of your foot, contact a podiatrist for proper treatment.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Baxter’s nerve entrapment, also known as entrapment of the inferior calcaneal nerve, occurs when this small nerve on the inner side of the heel becomes compressed or irritated. It often results from repetitive strain, flat feet, overpronation, or tight muscles in the foot and ankle. The condition can cause heel pain that mimics plantar fasciitis, along with burning, tingling, or numbness along the inner heel or arch. A podiatrist can diagnose Baxter’s nerve entrapment through a physical examination and imaging tests, and then create a personalized treatment plan using stretching, orthotics, or other therapies to relieve pressure. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat Baxter’s nerve entrapment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. 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 offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing high heels regularly can take a toll on your body over time, and may produce weakened ligaments, lower back and knee pain, bunions, corns, calluses, plantar fasciitis, hammertoe, Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, stiffened/shortened Achilles tendons, ankle sprains, and more. Women who are not dissuaded completely from wearing high heels can try to minimize their harmful effects with a few modifications. Shoes should be properly fitted and not too small. Foot size changes with age, childbirth, and fluctuations in weight, and feet should be measured for length and width with every shoe purchase. Heels should not be worn every day—only once in a while or on special occasions. Pencil-thin stilettos should be switched out with wider-heeled shoes which distribute body weight more evenly across the heel, or platforms or wedges that offer more stability and support. T-strap or Mary Jane styles help prevent the foot from sliding forward into the narrower part of the shoe, and also keep it more aligned evenly over the arch. A podiatrist may have additional footwear advice as well as the ability to create custom orthotics for support and to relieve pressure points on the foot caused by high heels.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.