4 Problems That Plague Athlete’s Feet

Got sports? Then you’ve got injuries. No matter what sport you’re into, injuries are something you share with athletes all over the world. And whether you compete in the pool or on the field, road, track, or diamond, you’re putting demands on your feet that can leave you aching for relief from a bunch of conditions. Here are 4 that are common across the board:
- Athlete’s foot. Trace the source of your itchy, red, burning feet back to some moist place – like a sweaty sock or a locker room floor – where the contagious fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives. Athlete’s foot can be difficult to get rid of, so if scaly skin persists despite over the counter creams or powders, visit Cuyahoga County podiatrists Meghan L. Oltmann, DPM or Craig B. Frey, DPM at Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland. We have prescription medications, both oral and topical, that can help you kick out a persistent fungal infection.
- Overuse injuries. An overuse injury happens over time – as opposed to an acute injury like breaking a bone or spraining your ankle. Your body reacts in some predictable ways when you exercise — muscles get bigger and stronger, bone density increases, tendons strengthen as well. But sometimes the unpredictable happens, leading to inflammation and pain. It’s up to the doctor to figure out what went wrong and how to treat the inflammation. Some examples of overuse injuries include Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, hallux limitus, and heel pain.
- Stress Fractures. A stress fracture is a hairline crack in a bone’s surface. Sudden increases in activity or training can induce a stress fracture, as can improper shoes and anatomical defects such as flat feet or bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
- Blisters commonly form on the heels and toes due to socks or shoes that either constrict or rub against the foot. Runners are especially prone because their toes are constantly colliding with the end of their shoes. You shouldn’t pop a blister but you can minimize pain and prevent infection by covering it with a bandage. Large, painful blisters should be treated at our office.
Take steps to prevent these and other sports injuries by wearing the proper shoes for your sport, making sure socks and shoes fit correctly, gradually increasing activity, remembering to stretch before and after a workout, and visiting our office when pain slows you down. Our expert podiatrists have years of experience diagnosing and treating all kinds of sports injuries to the feet. Call us at (440) 903-1041 to make an appointment with Dr. Frey or Dr. Oltmann at our office in Solon, Ohio.