How to Keep Toenail Fungus from Spreading
Fungal nails are frustrating and embarrassing — don’t pass them on to your loved ones. Here are some tips from a podiatry expert to help you keep your toenail fungus to yourself.
Can Plantar Fasciitis Heal On Its Own?
If you have heel pain when you first wake up in the morning, you may have a condition called plantar fasciitis. This condition means that the plantar fascia–the band of tissue that runs between your heels and the balls of your feet–is inflamed and often stretched beyond comfort.
This condition is more common in runners, as well as in people who are overweight. However, people who work standing on their feet all day can suffer from it as well. Dr. Maurice W. Aiken of Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists explains more about plantar fasciitis.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition. When you wake up in the morning, you may feel a stabbing pain in your heels. As you go about your day, the pain tends to go away. However, if you sit down for a while, it may return.
The causes of plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis has multiple causes. In general, it’s a repetitive strain injury to the fascia. This may result from the following:
- Excessive running
- Excessive walking
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Tight Achilles tendons
- Inadequate or poorly-fitting shoes (including high heels)
- An injury from landing badly after a jump
Often, it may be a combination of several of the above factors.
How plantar fasciitis is treated
You can first try to treat plantar fasciitis with self-care methods at home. These include the following:
- Icing your feet
- Foot massage
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, available over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or naproxen sodium (Aleve®)
- Wearing more supportive shoes
- Wearing custom orthotic inserts (available from Dr. Aiken)
- Stretching your feet
If you don’t respond to these treatments, you can also get cortisone shots in your foot from Dr. Aiken, which provides relief for many people for several months.
For most people, plantar fasciitis will go away on its own within 3-12 months. However, if you continue wearing shoes with inadequate support, the problem may continue for quite a long time.
If you think you might have plantar fasciitis, it’s a good idea to make an appointment. A podiatrist can order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) screen to confirm a diagnosis and discuss possible treatment options.
Contact Dr. Maurice Aiken at Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists today or request an appointment online.
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