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Causes of Red and Shiny Toes

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Red and shiny toes can be a sign of several underlying conditions that affect circulation, skin, or joints. Raynaud’s disease can cause color changes, including redness after cold exposure, along with tingling or numbness. Chilblains may create red, swollen, and shiny patches that feel itchy or tender after exposure to damp or cold conditions. Gout often leads to sudden redness, intense pain, and warmth in the big toe due to inflammation from uric acid buildup. Infections can also cause redness, swelling, and a shiny appearance as the skin becomes irritated or inflamed. A podiatrist can identify the cause, provide proper treatment, and help prevent complications by addressing circulation, skin health, or joint inflammation. If you notice persistent redness or shine on your toes, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Gerald Perelman of Ohio. 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 contact our office located in Wilmington, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Wednesday, 04 February 2026

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Caring for Ingrown Toenails and Keeping Them From Returning

Tuesday, 03 February 2026

Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to redness, swelling, and discomfort. Treatment depends on severity. Mild cases may improve with careful trimming, soaking the foot, and reducing pressure from tight shoes. When pain persists or infection develops, professional care is important. A podiatrist can safely remove the problematic nail portion and address underlying causes. In some cases a procedure is performed to prevent part of the nail from growing back. Prevention focuses on proper nail care and footwear choices. Toenails should be trimmed straight across rather than rounded at the corners. Shoes should allow enough room in the toe box to avoid crowding. Addressing nail thickness, foot shape, and walking mechanics can also reduce recurrence. If you have a problematic ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Gerald Perelman of Ohio. 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

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 Wilmington, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

What Is Proprioception and Why Is It Important?

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense movement and position, allowing the feet and ankles to adjust instantly to changes in terrain. Proprioception plays a key role in balance, coordination, and injury prevention. Nerve endings in the feet, tendons, and joints send signals to the brain that help control movement and stability, especially when walking or running on uneven ground. When proprioception is impaired by injury, aging, or disease, it can affect balance and agility, raising the risk of sprains or falls. Exercises that improve proprioception, such as balancing on one leg or standing on uneven surfaces, can help strengthen the muscles of the feet and enhance stability. A podiatrist can evaluate proprioceptive function and recommend strengthening routines to help restore control and balance. If you are experiencing balance or stability problems, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Gerald Perelman from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Wilmington, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Types of Infections in the Feet

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Foot infections can affect the skin, nails, and deeper tissues of the toes, soles, and ankles when bacteria or fungi enter small breaks in the skin. Fungal infections involve athlete’s foot, which affects the skin between or under the toes, and onychomycosis, which causes thickened, discolored toenails. Bacterial infections include cellulitis, where redness and swelling spread through the skin and abscesses that form painful pockets of fluid. Erythrasma is a bacterial infection that develops between the toes, often appearing as reddish or brown, mildly scaly skin that can resemble a fungal infection. Infections can worsen circulation, limit walking, and increase the risk of joint or bone involvement that sometimes requires surgery to prevent limb loss. A podiatrist can identify the infection type, evaluate its severity, and determine appropriate treatment. If you have developed a foot infection, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and options for treatment.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Gerald Perelman from Ohio. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Wilmington, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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