Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissue. It occurs when bacteria enter through a break in the skin, leading to redness, swelling, and pain. In the case of the toenails, cellulitis can develop from other infections, such as athlete’s foot or an ingrown toenail. Athlete’s foot causes cracks in the skin between the toes, which can allow bacteria to invade, while an ingrown toenail can lead to infection in the surrounding tissue, causing redness, swelling, and pain. Symptoms of cellulitis in the toenails include warmth, redness, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area. The skin may feel tight and painful, and there may be drainage or pus if the infection worsens. If left untreated, cellulitis can spread and cause serious complications. A podiatrist can treat cellulitis by prescribing antibiotics, draining any abscesses, and addressing the underlying cause, such as treating athlete’s foot or correcting an ingrown toenail. If you are dealing with this condition, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for care.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of New Jersey. our doctors 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 Neptune City, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition involving inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. This inflammation causes sharp heel pain, often most intense with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest. The discomfort may ease with movement, but can return after extended activity. Causes of plantar fasciitis include overuse, poor foot mechanics, or wearing shoes with inadequate support. It is frequently seen in runners, individuals who stand for long hours, or those with flat feet or high arches. Risk factors include age, obesity, and tight calf muscles, which can increase strain on the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis can be painful, often causing difficulty in completing daily activities. If you have heel pain, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can provide a diagnosis and treatment.

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 one of our podiatrists from New Jersey. our doctors 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 Neptune City, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

In-toeing, often called pigeon toes, is a common condition where the feet turn inward when walking or running. It frequently appears in young children and, in most cases, corrects itself as they grow. The cause can vary from how the bones in the legs or feet develop to tightness in the hips. While many children with in-toeing have no pain or difficulty, some may trip more often or feel discomfort after activity. Most cases improve naturally without intervention, but there are instances where treatment may be necessary. If in-toeing is severe, causing pain, or not improving over time, a podiatrist can evaluate whether corrective measures such as stretching exercises, braces, or specialized footwear are needed. Addressing concerns early can help ensure proper foot alignment and prevent future issues. If you have concerns about your child’s walking pattern, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of New Jersey. our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Neuropathic toe ulcers, especially those that expose a joint or bone, can be serious and challenging to treat. Traditionally, these wounds often led to partial or full toe loss. But with advances in foot surgery, there is surgery to spare toes. Toe-sparing procedures aim to remove damaged tissue while preserving as much of the toe structure as possible. By protecting the healthy parts of the toe, patients can maintain better balance and mobility, which reduces the risk of future complications. These surgeries are typically combined with wound care, infection control, and offloading strategies to promote healing and prevent recurrence. If you have a non-healing toe ulcer with exposed bone or a joint, early intervention is key. It is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to learn if this advanced treatment is right for you.

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 New Jersey. 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 Neptune City, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Sever's disease is a common cause of heel pain in children and teens, especially those who are active in sports. It happens when the growth plate in the heel becomes irritated from repeated stress or overuse. During growth spurts, the bones grow faster than the muscles and tendons, which can cause tightness and added pressure on the heel. Children with flat feet, high arches, or those who play sports like soccer or basketball are more likely to develop Sever's disease. Symptoms include heel pain, swelling, and limping, especially after activity. Rest, stretching exercises, and wearing supportive shoes can help relieve the pain. Custom orthotics may also provide extra support. Sever's disease usually goes away once the growth plates close, but if your child experiences continued heel pain, it is suggested you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for diagnosis and appropriate care.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from New Jersey. our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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