Help for Foot Infections
Athlete’s foot, plantar warts and other foot infections need prompt attention. Learn how to avoid and treat these common problems.
Make Your Pedicure Safe
Don’t let an at-home or salon pedicure lead to ingrown toenails or fungal infections. Practice preventive measures for healthy toes.
Care for Foot Bunions
An inflamed bunion can cause pain and instability. Learn how to prevent and treat bunions before they get worse.
Featured Articles
![](/images/people/couples/couple-sitting-on-floor-280x150.jpg)
Help for Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Explore daily self-care measures and other treatments for heel pain.
![](/images/health-topics/orthopedics/foot-ankle/orthopedic-shoe-inserts-280x150.jpg)
Why You May Need Orthotics
When foot pain and discomfort persists, consider customized shoe inserts.
![](/images/health-topics/orthopedics/foot-ankle/bandaging-foot-280x150.jpg)
Care for Foot Bunions
Learn how to prevent and treat bunions before they get worse.
Ask an Expert
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
I have a bunion on my large toe that becomes painful and swollen, especially when I wear high heels. What caused this, and how can I fix it?
Bunions are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe, but they are more than that. The visible bump is actually the result of the gradual drifting of the bones of the great toe. Bunions are most oft... continue reading about I have a bunion on my large toe that becomes painful and swollen, especially when I wear high heels. What caused this, and how can I fix it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Our feet undergo changes throughout our lives. This is because the twenty six bones are supported and held together by a complex myriad of ligaments, tendons and muscles. As we age, and especially if we gain we... continue reading about I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What is the cause of numbness of toes and is there anything that will help this?
There are many causes of numb toes. There are treatments that can help once the correct diagnosis is made. Numbness is usually a symptom of an unhappy nerve. Some causes are reversible and some are not. There m... continue reading about What is the cause of numbness of toes and is there anything that will help this?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I have neuropathy in both feet and legs. They feel heavy and at night they sometimes burn. My feet feel like I have a second skin, which makes it difficult to wiggle my toes and arch my feet.
Pain from neuropathy can be quite problematic. It is often described as a burning or a "pins and needles" sensation. This pain is often more noticeable at bedtime and can therefore disrupt sleep. The first step... continue reading about I have neuropathy in both feet and legs. They feel heavy and at night they sometimes burn. My feet feel like I have a second skin, which makes it difficult to wiggle my toes and arch my feet.
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
I have an ingrown toenail that is causing pain and swelling. How should I treat this? Also, is there anything I can do to prevent the other toenails from doing the same thing?
An ingrown toenail is a very painful problem, and if you're having redness and swelling, you should see a podiatrist.The treatment will almost always involve removing the offending nail border. It's a very simp... continue reading about I have an ingrown toenail that is causing pain and swelling. How should I treat this? Also, is there anything I can do to prevent the other toenails from doing the same thing?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
I have pain across the ball of my right foot, making it tender to walk on. I've been doing a new type of activity - dancing Zumba in new shoes - but this pain showed up five days after the last class. Could it be related? If not, what are likely causes?
Zumba is fun, but this new activity can certainly be the cause of your foot pain. You are right to be concerned because foot pain is not normal. There are a number of common foot problems that can cause pain in... continue reading about I have pain across the ball of my right foot, making it tender to walk on. I've been doing a new type of activity - dancing Zumba in new shoes - but this pain showed up five days after the last class. Could it be related? If not, what are likely causes?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
My doctor diagnosed an irritated nerve in my foot and told me to take anti-inflammatory medication and stay out of my high heels. I'm doing both, but I'm still in a lot of pain. Will anything else help?
I am sorry to hear about your foot pain. If you have an irritated nerve in your foot (neuroma), then it was excellent advice to change out of your high heels and take an anti-inflammatory, as it is important to... continue reading about My doctor diagnosed an irritated nerve in my foot and told me to take anti-inflammatory medication and stay out of my high heels. I'm doing both, but I'm still in a lot of pain. Will anything else help?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What tips should I follow when I'm shopping for shoes?
Here are my shoe buying tips:Have your feet measured while you're standing. As adults our bones don't grow longer, but as we mature our ligaments loosen and our feet splay, especially following pregnancy. So ou... continue reading about What tips should I follow when I'm shopping for shoes?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?
The only treatment option for flat feet for a 7-year-old is to consider foot orthotics. Orthotics are a type of a shoe insert that is made from taking an impression cast of the foot. The idea behind using ortho... continue reading about My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?
More Resources
![View Sutter's full resource library](/images/icons/medical-library-80x80.png)
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
![View information for Sutter Health Patients](/images/icons/patient-record-80x80.png)
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
![Tools and Quizzes](/images/icons/tools-quizzes-80x80.png)
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.