Corns and calluses on the feet are caused by repeated pressure or friction, but they differ in appearance and symptoms. Corns are small, round, and often painful thickened skin areas that develop on toes or other bony prominences. They usually have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin and can cause sharp pain when pressed. Calluses are larger, broader areas of thickened skin found on the soles or heels. They tend to be less painful but can feel rough or dry. Both conditions are often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes, abnormal gait, or repeated rubbing. Visually, corns appear as hard, dense spots, while calluses look like rough patches. A podiatrist can diagnose these conditions through examination and identify underlying causes. Treatment may include orthotics, debridement, footwear advice, and addressing gait abnormalities. To prevent pain and further complications, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and prevention tips.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Foot cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that cause sharp pain and stiffness in the foot. They may occur during activity or even while resting. Common causes include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor circulation, or overuse of muscles. Risk factors include intense exercise without proper stretching, wearing footwear lacking adequate support, and medical conditions that affect nerves or blood flow. These cramps can interfere with daily activities and athletic performance, if not addressed. A podiatrist can identify underlying causes, recommend stretching and strengthening exercises, and provide guidance on footwear or orthotics to reduce recurrence. Foot cramps can disrupt daily activities as well as sleep. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause, and offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Scott Samera, DPM from Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Retronychia is a lesser known nail condition that can sometimes be mistaken for an ingrown toenail. While ingrown toenails occur when the side of the nail curves into the skin, retronychia develops when a new nail plate grows underneath the old one instead of pushing it forward. This backward growth can cause thickening, discoloration, persistent pain, and swelling near the cuticle area rather than along the nail edge. It is more likely to appear after repeated trauma such as stubbing the toe or wearing tight shoes. Because retronychia may mimic some symptoms of ingrown toenails, it is easy to confuse the two conditions. However, their causes and treatments are different. If you are experiencing ongoing nail pain, swelling, or unusual nail changes, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

A tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette, is a painful bump that forms on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe. It may appear red, swollen, or callused and often becomes irritated by tight or narrow shoes. The condition can feel sore or sharp when walking or wearing certain shoes. Causes include inherited foot structure, pressure from ill-fitting shoes, or abnormal foot mechanics. Symptoms may worsen over time if left untreated. A podiatrist can diagnose a tailor's bunion through a physical exam and imaging, such as X-rays, to assess the alignment of the toe and surrounding joints. Conservative treatment options include shoe modifications, padding, and orthotics to reduce pressure. Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed for pain relief. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to realign the toe and remove the bony prominence. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Scott Samera, DPM of Samera / Foot + Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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