Athlete's foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. There are various types, including chronic hyperkeratotic athlete’s foot, which causes dry, thick scaling on the soles and sides of the feet. Chronic intertriginous athlete’s foot develops between the toes, and produces redness, peeling skin, and itching. Acute ulcerative athlete’s foot is a more severe form that leads to painful sores and skin breakdown. Lastly, vesiculobullous athlete foot causes fluid filled blisters on the sole or arch. Risk factors include damp footwear, shared locker rooms, excessive sweating, and weakened immunity. A podiatrist can diagnose the infection and provide effective treatment to restore healthy skin. If you have symptoms of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide appropriate care, which may include prescribed medication.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Patricia A. Kirk, DPM from Kirk Podiatry.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

Running injuries often develop when training demands exceed what the body can handle. Looking at injury risk through a cause-and-effect lens helps identify why problems occur and how to prevent them. Factors such as previous injuries, muscle weakness, limited flexibility, and foot mechanics all influence how stress moves through the body. Recent changes in mileage, speed, or terrain also play a major role, especially when increases happen too quickly. By understanding both personal risk factors and current training load, runners can adjust routines before pain develops. Gradual progression, appropriate recovery, and wearing supportive footwear help reduce strain on muscles, tendons, and joints. Early attention to discomfort allows small issues to be addressed before they become injuries. If foot or ankle pain continues despite training adjustments, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for evaluation and guidance.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Patricia A. Kirk, DPM of Kirk Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Ice skating is a fun way for children to build balance and coordination, but the sport places repetitive stress on growing feet and ankles. Falls, tight or poorly fitted boots, and frequent jumping can lead to ankle sprains, tendon irritation, and painful bursitis around the heel or ankle bones. Friction inside the boot may also cause blisters or “lace bite” across the top of the foot. Over time, pressure from narrow skates can contribute to bunions or hammertoes, while repeated impact during landings may result in stress fractures of the metatarsal bones. Because children’s bones are still developing, these problems can affect alignment and performance if not properly evaluated. A podiatrist can assess skating mechanics, examine footwear fit, diagnose structural problems, and provide medical care to relieve pain and prevent further injury. If your child encounters foot pain while ice skating, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Patricia A. Kirk, DPM of Kirk Podiatry. Our doctor 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 Lexington, TN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Keeping the feet strong can improve balance, stability, and overall movement during daily activities. One helpful exercise is a towel scrunch. Place a small towel on the floor, rest your foot on top, and slowly pull the towel toward you by curling your toes. This strengthens the small muscles that support the arch. Another useful exercise is the heel raise. Stand near a counter for support, lift your heels until you are on the balls of your feet, pause briefly, and lower with control. This helps build strength in the calves and improves ankle stability. While these movements support functional fitness, they are most effective when performed correctly and paired with proper footwear and healthy mechanics. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot structure, recommend appropriate exercises, and address any discomfort that limits progress. If foot pain develops during these activities, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for effective relief tips and additional guidance on exercising the feet.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Patricia A. Kirk, DPM from Kirk Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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