Plantar warts are growths that develop on the bottom of the foot after the skin becomes infected with the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This is a virus that enters through tiny breaks in the skin. These warts usually appear on weight-bearing areas like the heel or the ball of the foot, where pressure pushes them inward instead of outward. As a result, walking can become painful, and some people feel like they are stepping on a small pebble. Plantar warts can appear alone or in groups. They also have tiny black dots that are small, clotted blood vessels. A podiatrist can examine the affected area and determine whether the growth is a plantar wart or another foot condition.

Several factors increase the chance of developing plantar warts. Walking barefoot in public places, like locker rooms or swimming pool areas, raises the risk of exposure to the virus. Children, teenagers, and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop these warts. The location of a plantar wart can change the way a person walks, which sometimes leads to discomfort in other parts of the foot. A podiatrist performs a thorough examination and can diagnose plantar warts by their appearance and location. In some cases, additional testing helps confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions.

Treatment depends on the size, location, and number of plantar warts. A podiatrist can remove layers of the wart, apply prescription-strength medications, or use freezing treatments to destroy the infected tissue. Some patients benefit from laser treatment or another advanced procedure for stubborn warts. Surgery is recommended in certain cases when other treatments do not provide enough improvement. Prompt treatment helps reduce pain, improve comfort while walking, and lower the chance of the wart spreading to nearby skin. If you have developed one or more plantar warts, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Darron Barrus, DPM from Shelby Podiatry. 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 Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cracked heels are splits in the heel that develop when dry or thickened skin loses flexibility. This condition can cause discomfort, and, in more severe cases, pain with walking. Common causes include wearing open back footwear, aging skin that loses moisture, and weight gain that increases pressure on the heels, in addition to vitamin deficiency, and long periods of standing. Symptoms may include dry, rough skin, flaking, and visible cracks that can deepen over time. Risk factors include poor foot care and lack of proper hydration for the skin. A podiatrist can safely treat cracked heels and recommend moisturizing and protective solutions. If your cracked heels are painful or worsening, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions, which may include prescribed medication.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Darron Barrus, DPM from Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

An ingrown toenail can begin as a minor annoyance, but become much more uncomfortable if it continues to worsen. In the earliest phase, the skin along the nail edge may become tender, swollen, and red as the nail presses into nearby tissue. If the irritation continues, the area may become increasingly sore and start to produce drainage, which can signal infection or ongoing inflammation. In more advanced cases, excess tissue may develop around the nail border as the body reacts to the repeated irritation, making the toe appear swollen and overgrown in that area. Because symptoms can progress in clear stages, early evaluation can make treatment simpler and more effective. A podiatrist can assess how far the condition has advanced and recommend appropriate care, which may range from conservative treatment to a minor procedure for stubborn cases. If you have a painful or worsening ingrown toenail, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist for appropriate treatment solutions.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Darron Barrus, DPM of Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Toe pain around the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint is a frequent reason patients seek care from a podiatrist. This joint plays a major role in balance and push off during walking. Such toe pain may develop from overuse, arthritis, or pressure from footwear. Common symptoms include aching or sharp pain, stiffness, and swelling. Sometimes it can be accompanied by redness, warmth, and limited motion. The joint may look enlarged or inflamed, and it can feel sore or burning. This is especially true when standing, or bending the toe. Over time, pain may interfere with daily activities and limit comfortable movement. A podiatrist can help by starting with a detailed medical history and physical examination. This can be supported by imaging when needed, to identify the exact cause of the MTP joint pain. Treatment often begins with footwear guidance, padding, or custom orthotics, and may progress to medication, injections, or corrective procedures when appropriate. If you have MTP joint pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Darron Barrus, DPM of Shelby Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Alabaster, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.