Are you suffering from foot warts?

If you have foot warts and don't know how to treat them, then your best bet may be your, Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta.

What are foot warts?

Foot warts are usually mistaken for corns or calluses, which are layers of dead skin built up to protect an area constantly irritated. Viral infections cause warts that penetrate the skin through cuts and abrasions. On the upside, the majority of foot warts are not dangerous but painful.

What do they look like?

They are raised above the rest of your skin and fleshy, and are found anywhere on the foot or toes. Warts can sometimes disappear, then recur in the same place. If, however, they are left untreated, they can grow up to an inch or more in circumference and spread into clusters.

Who is like to get warts?

Children and teenagers are the most susceptible to warts. It's vital to ensure your children's feet are constantly clean and dried properly after a bath.

What's a common wart?

Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet and are painful. They are hard, flat, maintain well-defined boundaries and a rough surface and. They vary in color but are usually gray or brown.

You can get plantar warts if you walk barefoot on dirty or littered surfaces. The virus that causes plantar warts thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a common occurrence in public pools and locker rooms.

Plantar warts spread by touching, scratching, or contact with skin shed from someone who has the wart.

How do you prevent warts?

Here are a few tips to prevent warts:

• Avoid direct contact with warts
• Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches
• Change your shoes and socks daily
• Constantly check your children's feet
• Keep your feet clean and dry

For more information on foot warts in the Gainesville, VA area call Prince William Foot & Ankle Center at (703) 753 3338 today!

Find out the best ways to handle an injured foot so you can get back on your feet quickly.

Most people at some point during their lifetime will have to face a foot injury of some kind. Regardless of the situation or magnitude, it’s important that everyone is able to get the proper foot care they deserve, and our Gainesville, VA, podiatrist Dr. Mukesh Bhakta is here to provide it. Are you dealing with any of these common foot injuries?

Strains and Sprains

Strains and sprains are commonplace within the world of sports. Most athletes, at some point in time, will deal with strained or sprained muscles, ligaments or other soft tissue within the feet.

Treatment options: Most minor or moderate strains and sprains can be treated through the RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Of course, if you are dealing with a more severe sprain then our Gainesville, VA, podiatry physician will determine whether you may require a cast or boot to protect the foot or ankle from additional wear and tear.

Fractures

Stress fractures are a pretty common injury, particularly for runners. As you can imagine, if you don’t have the proper technique or if there is an imbalance within the structure of the foot, pounding the pavement could lead to these stress fractures.

Treatment options: Luckily, in most cases, a stress fracture will heal by itself if you rest and treat your feet with care. Nix running or participating in any other high-impact activities until the fracture has completely healed. Only wear supportive footwear or talk to us about whether a protective boot could also provide better protection and coverage to help your foot heal faster.

Plantar fasciitis

This is one of the common causes of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis leads to inflammation within the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs under the foot from the heel to the toes. If your heel pain is worse in the morning but eases up throughout the day then you could be dealing with a bout of plantar fasciitis.

Treatment options: Most treatment options are simple, everyday measures you can take to ease symptoms under the plantar fascia heals. Everything from stretching your feet and legs and icing your heel to wearing supportive footwear and avoiding high-impact activities can help speed up your recovery time.

If you aren’t experiencing the relief you need from your injury or if your symptoms are getting worse, it’s necessary that you get the answers you need to get your health back on track. Call Prince William Foot & Ankle Center in Gainesville, VA, today.

Chronic heel pain is one of the most common foot and ankle problems. While a little pain and stiffness from time to time can be normal, persistent pain is typically a sign of an injury or orthopedic problem like plantar fasciitis. Dr. Mukesh Bhakta, a podiatrist in Gainesville, VA, recommends scheduling an appointment if you are experiencing chronic pain.

Heel Pain Treatment in Gainesville, VA

There are two types of heel pain: under the heel, and just behind the heel. One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which causes pain under the heel due to strain or inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tendon that runs the length of the foot from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Another common source of heel pain is Achilles tendonitis, which causes pain behind the heel due to strain or an injury of the Achilles tendon.

What Causes Heel Pain?

According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, heel pain is the most common podiatric complaint, and can result from a number of causes. Everything from the normal wear and tear of walking or exercising on hard surfaces, to wearing shoes with inadequate support can put strain on the bones and joints of your feet and ankles, making them more susceptible to pain and injuries.

Because foot and ankle injuries are very difficult to self diagnose, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for persistent pain (lasts for several weeks, or clears up and returns). Depending on the severity and underlying cause of your heel pain, conservative treatments are usually successful in relieving heel pain. If you have low arches/flat feet, your podiatrist may recommend orthotics to help keep your feet in proper alignment and to prevent excessive strain on your feet and ankles.

Find a Podiatrist in Gainesville, VA

Don't wait for your heel pain to become debilitating. For more information about plantar fasciitis and other causes and treatment options for foot and ankle pain, contact Prince William Foot & Ankle Center by calling 703-753-3338 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bhakta today.

Many conditions can be successfully treated at home. Unfortunately, toenail fungus isn't always one of them. Despite applying an over-the-counter product for weeks or months, your nails may still be thick and yellow. With the help of our Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta at Prince Willam Foot & Ankle Center, toenail fungus laser treatment can help you finally eliminate your fungal infection.

How does laser treatment get rid of toenail fungus?

Access is the problem with drugstore fungal products. The topical medications only penetrate the first few layers of your nails and never reach the areas underneath where the fungus originates. Laser light is strong enough to reach the source of your infection and kill the fungus responsible for your infection.

Laser light heats the pigment in the fungus that creates that unattractive yellow color. The heat generated by the laser kills the fungus, eliminating your infection.

Will my toenails look better immediately?

You won't notice any change in your nails after treatment, but that doesn't mean that your treatment wasn't successful. As your nails grow, you'll soon see a small strip of clear growth at the base of your nail. Over the next several months, your nails will gradually assume their normal appearance.

Is laser treatment painful?

Although the fungi on your nail bed may not like the heat generated by the laser, you won't notice more than a mild heating or tingling sensation during your treatment. The laser doesn't produce a continuous beam of light but uses short bursts to produce the heat that destroys the fungus. Because the laser can be aimed very precisely at the site of the infection, it won't damage healthy tissue in your toes. After your treatment, you can immediately resume your usual activities.

How can I prevent toenail fungus from happening again?

Laser treatment is very effective in treating toenail fungus, but it doesn't prevent future infections. You can avoid a new infection by following these tips:

• Wear shoes in locker rooms and shower rooms.
• Don't share socks or shoes with other people.
• Wear socks that wick away sweat.
• Change your socks often if your feet sweat.

Treat your toenail fungus with laser treatment. Call our Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Bhakta at Prince Willam Foot & Ankle Center, at (703) 753-3338 to schedule an appointment.

Podiatrists handle a number of common foot issues at their practices, including sports injuries, fractures and ligament problems. One particularly concerning problem is a foot infection because it could put the health of the entire foot and even the rest of the body at risk. Here are a few of the signs of a foot infection that should prompt you to call your Gainesville, VA podiatrist for immediate treatment.

Signs of a Foot Infection
As with any infection, a foot infection is caused by bad bacteria in a wound or cut. It’s a concern that podiatrists often have for patients who need diabetic foot care. In extreme cases an infection could lead to gangrene, which requires tissue removal, so it should be caught in its early stages. Here are some of the potential signs:

- Redness and inflammation around the affected site
- Intense pain when you’re walking or tenderness to the touch
- Pus or blood coming from the affected area
- Fever or nausea

What Could Cause a Foot Infection?
A foot infection often happens after there’s some type of injury to the foot. In some cases, it’s caused by an ingrown toenail that grows into the skin. In other cases, it’s due to a foot fungus that has gotten out of control. A wart on the foot could also become infected when it continuously rubs up against the inside of a tight shoe. Patients who have had foot surgery have to be mindful of infections during the healing process.

Treatments for Foot Infections
A foot infection must be treated promptly by your Gainesville podiatrist so that it doesn’t become ulcerous or gangrenous. The first step is removing any diseased tissue to allow healthy tissue to regenerate. Immediate oxygen treatment will aid the healing process. An intravenous antibiotic therapy may also be administered to thoroughly get rid of the infection. Pain medication (an NSAID) will likely be prescribed to ease any discomfort while the foot is healing. Rest therapy may be needed to ensure that the infection doesn’t reoccur.

Seek Treatment ASAP
If any of these signs of foot infections match your symptoms, see your Gainesville, VA podiatrist as soon as possible. It’s a simple problem to fix in the early stages. Call (703) 753-3338 today for an urgent visit to see Dr. Mukesh Bhakta at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center.