Do you find our website user friendly?
Yes   No

Common Foot Infections

Thanks to their high levels of activity and the moisture that can get caught in socks and shoes, your feet are especially vulnerable to becoming infected. Foot infections are a common ailment that can cause your feet to hurt and even make walking more challenging. 

When you develop a foot infection, it’s important to get treatment promptly to prevent the infection from spreading and causing further complications. Thomas Rambacher, DPM, the lead podiatrist at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, explains the most common type of foot infections, and what to do if you have symptoms of an infection.

Foot infection symptoms

Foot infections, regardless of the cause, tend to share common symptoms. If you’re experiencing these symptoms in your feet or ankles, make an appointment to be evaluated at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle:

The most common foot infections

Your feet can get infected for a number of different reasons. These are some of the most common causes of foot infections.

Bacterial infections

If you have a cut, scrape, or open blister on your foot, bacteria can enter your foot. This can cause your foot to develop an infection. You might have a bacterial infection in your foot if your cut isn’t healing on its own and feels warm, swollen, or has fluid or pus.

Fungal infections

Along with bacterial infections, you can get infections from fungus, especially in your toenails or between your toes. Most commonly, fungal infections come from walking barefoot in warm, moist communal areas, like showers, locker rooms, and pools.

Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when your nails mistakenly grow into the skin by your toe. Your ingrown toenail can get infected if bacteria enters into your skin through the small cut the ingrown toenail creates, which is usually indicated by the area having a pus discharge and appearing swollen or warm to the touch.

Diabetic Ulcers

Diabetic ulcers and wounds can develop on your feet if you’re diabetic, especially if your condition is not currently well controlled through medication or lifestyle changes. These ulcers and wounds usually occur on the bottoms of your feet and toes and can cause serious damage to your feet and body if not carefully treated.

Having diabetes can cause you to lose sensation in your feet’s nerves, which makes it harder to notice early-stage infections, and your feet also heal more slowly with diabetes. If you have diabetes, this means it’s important to carefully check your feet regularly and let Dr. Rambacher know if you have any wounds that aren’t healing.

Treating a foot infection

You can prevent many foot infections by taking simple precautions. These include wearing sandals or shoes in communal areas, changing socks and shoes regularly, frequently washing your feet, and trimming your toenails straight across. 

If you have symptoms of a foot infection, get it treated at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle right away to prevent further complications, especially if you have diabetes or are otherwise immunocompromised. After examining your feet, Dr. Rambacher prescribes a personalized course of treatment to resolve the issue.

Depending on the cause of the infection, treatment for foot infections can include antibiotics, antifungal creams or medications, applying medical dressings to the infected area, and removing part of your toenail.

To make an appointment at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle for a suspect foot infection, schedule a telemedicine or in-office consultation online or by calling our practice.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How to Prevent and Treat Shin Splints

How to Prevent and Treat Shin Splints

Over time, problems like shin splints can go beyond being a painful nuisance and seriously inhibit your daily routine. Learn what you can do to prevent and treat shin splints and get back on the playing field as quickly as possible. 
How to Relieve Ingrown Toenail Pain

How to Relieve Ingrown Toenail Pain

Ingrown toenails can cause some of the worst pain possible in your feet. Find out what you can do to relieve ingrown toenail pain while you’re waiting to have your ingrown toenail treated.
The Connection Between Back Pain and Your Feet

The Connection Between Back Pain and Your Feet

You might not immediately connect back pain symptoms to foot issues, or foot pain with a back problem. Yet, the connection between the body parts is real and worth considering if you deal with foot and/or back pain.
5 Common Neuroma Causes

5 Common Neuroma Causes

When you step or walk on the ball of your foot, do you feel like you’ve stepped on a rock? You could have Morton’s neuroma. Discover more about the 5 most common causes of neuromas and how you can live without pain and discomfort.