Items filtered by date: June 2025

Tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It is caused by dermatophyte fungi, which thrive in warm, moist environments like locker rooms, sweaty shoes, and public showers. The condition is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include itching, burning, peeling, and cracked skin, especially between the toes or on the soles of the feet. In more severe cases, redness, scaling, and blistering may occur. The infected area can feel painful or uncomfortable, especially when walking. A podiatrist can diagnose tinea pedis by examining the site and may take a skin scraping for lab analysis. Treatment typically involves topical antifungal creams or oral medications for more persistent cases. If you are dealing with this condition, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Yvonne Umezurike, DPM from Umez Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, MD and Washington DC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Persistent toe discomfort can make even simple movements difficult. Wearing tight shoes, repetitive pressure, or underlying joint issues often lead to pain, swelling, or stiffness in the toes. Gently stretching the feet and choosing footwear with enough room for your toes can reduce irritation. Padding or silicone toe separators may ease friction and support natural alignment. Conditions such as hammertoes, arthritis, or nerve irritation may also be involved and require more specific care. Early attention helps prevent worsening of symptoms. If pain does not improve or begins to affect how you walk, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a complete evaluation and personalized treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Yvonne Umezurike, DPM of Umez 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 feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, MD and Washington DC . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Blisters on the feet often form from friction, usually when skin rubs against tight or poorly fitted shoes. This repeated pressure separates layers of skin, allowing fluid to collect. Blisters can also appear due to burns, cold exposure, allergic reactions, or infections. On the feet, these fluid-filled pockets can become painful, especially when walking. Popping a blister yourself is not recommended, as breaking the skin increases the risk of infection. People with diabetes or circulation issues should be especially cautious, as blisters can become infected more easily. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, or pus. A podiatrist can evaluate the blister, relieve pressure safely, and recommend treatment to reduce pain and protect the surrounding skin. If you have developed a problematic blister on your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Yvonne Umezurike, DPM of Umez Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, MD and Washington DC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cuboid syndrome, medically referred to as subluxation of the midtarsal joint, occurs when the cuboid bone partially dislocates from its normal position. This condition is more common than many people realize, particularly among athletes and individuals with repetitive strain on the foot. Risk factors include overuse, poor footwear, ankle instability, and biomechanical abnormalities. Causes may involve acute injury or gradual stress that affects the surrounding ligaments. Symptoms often include lateral foot pain, difficulty walking, and tenderness near the midfoot. If left untreated, it can impact mobility and quality of life. If you are experiencing persistent foot discomfort, it is strongly suggested that you seek an evaluation from a podiatrist who can diagnose the issue and offer personalized treatment options for lasting relief.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Yvonne Umezurike, DPM from Umez Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Baltimore, MD and Washington DC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.