Foot Facts

Panhandle Podiatry, PLLC

Insurance Information & Foot Facts

We will happily accept and submit most medical insurance for you.If your insurance is not listed, please call us to check if we participate.
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO                                                           AARP
Medicare                                                                                 WV Medicaid Tradition Plan Only
Acordia/Wells Fargo/PEIA                                                            Cigna PPO
QuadMedical/Beech Street                                                          Informed
Tricare Prime                                                                           Aetna PPO
AARP                                                                                      Guardian
Great West                                                                             Coventry
Mailhandlers                                                                            Mutual of Omaha
Advantra Freedom                                                                     Freedom Blue
Physicians Mutual                                                                      GEHA
First Health                                                                            UMWA
Valley Community Health                                                            American Progressive
Bankers Fidelity                                                                        United Healthcare

Plantar Fasciitis (heel spur)

Plantar fasciitis (or heel pain) is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Our practice can evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the pain.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Also called "heel spur syndrome," the condition can usually be successfully treated with conservative measures such as use of anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy.

Athlete\'s Foot (tinea pedis)

Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. The fungus usually attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment that encourages fungus growth.

The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms, are also breeding grounds for fungi. Not all fungus conditions lead to Athlete's foot, however. Other conditions, such as malfunctions of the sweat mechanism, reaction to dyes or adhesives in shoes, eczema, and psoriasis, also may mimic Athlete's foot.

Symptoms of athlete's feet include drying skin, itching scaling, inflammation, and blisters. Athlete's foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails, and can spread to other parts of the body, including the groin and underarms.

You can prevent Athlete's foot by:

· Avoiding walking barefoot. Use shower shoes.

· Reducing perspiration by using talcum powder.

· Wearing light and airy shoes.

· Wearing socks that keep your feet dry, and changing them frequently if you perspire heavily.

While fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals are usually used to treat Athlete's foot problems, they often fail to contact the fungi in the lower layers of the skin. Instead, our practice may prescribe topical or oral antifungal drugs.