Infections
Most infections begin when a cut or break in the skin allows pathogens into the body. Pathogens may also infect the body by way of a fungus, which grows on the skin and allows the pathogens to penetrate, or by germs that enter the bloodstream. Foot and ankle infections can be a problem simply because of the beating your feet take through every day activity.
The most common infections impacting the foot and ankles are athlete’s foot, warts and bacterial infections.
Athletes foot is caused by a fungus, often starting between the toes. Click here for more detail.
Warts, often found on the bottom of the foot, are basically a viral infection of the skin. Click here for more detail.
Bacterial infections in the foot or ankle are most often streptococcus bacteria or staphylococcus bacteria (staph infections). Frequently these result from untreated wounds or contamination following surgery.
Those suffering from diabetes tend to experience more foot and ankle infections because of the nature of the disease and their weakened immune systems. Click here for more detail.
Symptoms
When pathogens attack the body, causing infection, the area around the infection will appear red. Usually inflammation and swelling follow, affecting a larger area as the infection spreads. Timely attention from a doctor is strongly recommended to avoid the infection entering the bloodstream and causing sepsis, which is an infection throughout the body.