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Dr. Peter Awad, DPM

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Peter Awad is a podiatrist practicing in Hesperia, CA. Dr. Awad is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Awad diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow for walking and standing and are necessary for overall well-being. So, the feet need expert care. Podiatrists can specialize in surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.
Dr. Peter Awad, DPM
  • Hesperia, CA
  • New York College of Podiatric Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

I have a small growth around my ankle. Could it be serious?

Any recently noticed mass can be harmful. Many masses of the foot and ankle are benign in nature, but there is no way of knowing for sure without an evaluation. I recommend you READ MORE
Any recently noticed mass can be harmful. Many masses of the foot and ankle are benign in nature, but there is no way of knowing for sure without an evaluation. I recommend you have it evaluated by a specialist to rule out malignancy.

How are ingrown toe nails removed?

The best treatment is to have them permanently removed by a podiatrist. It is a relatively painless procedure with an easy recovery.

What should I do to prevent my feet from hurting in the snow?

Properly insulated shoes is important for the temperature change during snow. Proper stability and support (arch supports) inside the shoes is also very important for long distance READ MORE
Properly insulated shoes is important for the temperature change during snow. Proper stability and support (arch supports) inside the shoes is also very important for long distance walking as to prevent fatigue.

How are bunions removed?

Bunions are a structural change that may require surgical intervention to correct the deformity. An evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist should answer any questions regarding READ MORE
Bunions are a structural change that may require surgical intervention to correct the deformity. An evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist should answer any questions regarding surgery. Each surgical procedure may require a different post-operative recovery duration and thus it will depend on the extent of the deformity.

Can bunions indicate an underlying foot problem?

There is a hereditary contribution to bunions as well as biomechanical. Almost always, you will have a contributing biomechanical instability that needs to be addressed. I would READ MORE
There is a hereditary contribution to bunions as well as biomechanical. Almost always, you will have a contributing biomechanical instability that needs to be addressed. I would have it evaluated by a specialist.

Can heel pain be treated surgically?

Almost all foot and ankle conditions have multiple options for treatment ranging from conservative to surgical. There are many factors that help make the determination as to whether READ MORE
Almost all foot and ankle conditions have multiple options for treatment ranging from conservative to surgical. There are many factors that help make the determination as to whether surgery would be necessary.

My foot looks like it has a wart on the bottom of it. How can I get rid of it?

It first needs to be evaluated by a specialist in order to make sure that it truly is a wart. It can sometimes be a callus or a corn, for which the treatment is different.

I frequently get blisters on my feet when I wear shoes. Why does this keep happening?

Most of the time blisters are secondary to friction against the lining of the shoe. With that being said, it can also be secondary to an infectious process. Adding powder to the READ MORE
Most of the time blisters are secondary to friction against the lining of the shoe. With that being said, it can also be secondary to an infectious process. Adding powder to the shoes reduces the moisture and aids with this condition. Also, changing out the sole of the shoe to a mole skin lining would be also aid. I would have a specialist evaluate the type of blistering and rule out whether there is an infectious process taking place.

Why does my ankle sprain easily?

There is an ankle instability issue that maybe underlying. A quick visit to a specialist would help diagnose the underlying etiology.

What is the treatment for hammer toe?

If she has rigid hammertoes, she is likely experiencing pain secondary to pressure of the metatarsals angulated plantarly with a likely combination of loss of fat cushioning under READ MORE
If she has rigid hammertoes, she is likely experiencing pain secondary to pressure of the metatarsals angulated plantarly with a likely combination of loss of fat cushioning under the ball of the foot. Conservatively, the best options have to include a shoe with a deep toe-box and an extra layer of cushioning for the ball of the foot. Surgical treatment is the definitive treatment for rigid deformities if the patient is a surgical candidate.

How can I prevent foot issues?

The "simplest" starting point is to use proper fitting, supportive shoes. For those who require stability and support of the feet, it is always better to choose shoes that are READ MORE
The "simplest" starting point is to use proper fitting, supportive shoes. For those who require stability and support of the feet, it is always better to choose shoes that are stiffer soled, thicker soled, with possibly even adding custom orthotics to control the foot biomechanics.

I have a bone growth under my heel and it hurts. What should I do?

Bone growths that are sudden are not a very common thing, but it's always a good idea to have it evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist to obtain a definitive diagnosis and treatment READ MORE
Bone growths that are sudden are not a very common thing, but it's always a good idea to have it evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist to obtain a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

I get cramps in my foot very frequently. What could be wrong?

The most common reason for cramps in the feet only is usually due to muscular overuse. There are also other reasons including medications and electrolyte imbalances that can cause READ MORE
The most common reason for cramps in the feet only is usually due to muscular overuse. There are also other reasons including medications and electrolyte imbalances that can cause cramping. Normally, it's best to be in a stiff soled shoe with a semi-rigid support to reduce muscle overuse and start incorporating a little tonic water daily as a start. If unimproved, I recommend seeking evaluation by podiatrist to determine what other things may be causing the cramping.

Do acupuncture shoes help with heel pain?

There is evidence from other patients responses that acupuncture can in fact help with foot pain. The etiology of the heel pain should be identified first as trauma related conditions READ MORE
There is evidence from other patients responses that acupuncture can in fact help with foot pain. The etiology of the heel pain should be identified first as trauma related conditions will require other treatments.

Can bath salts help in treating heel pain?

Epsom salt foot baths help with many ailments of the feet. They can help to relieve muscle tension and are often used by those who have tired, achy feet by the end of the day. READ MORE
Epsom salt foot baths help with many ailments of the feet. They can help to relieve muscle tension and are often used by those who have tired, achy feet by the end of the day. Heel pain in and of itself can occur as a results of many etiologies and usually require medical attention for proper plan and treatment. Salt soaks may reduce the pain temporarily, but often times will not be the definitive treatment for the heel pain.

I feel like the bottoms of my feet are swollen. What could be wrong?

It is very difficult to pin point the reason for the swelling. Normally if the swelling is in both feet, it is likely more of a systemic reason rather than something pertaining READ MORE
It is very difficult to pin point the reason for the swelling. Normally if the swelling is in both feet, it is likely more of a systemic reason rather than something pertaining to the foot only. That rational is of course not definitive as there are other conditions (i.e tendinitis, tears, fractures, trauma) that can cause swelling in the feet. It is best to have it evaluated to identify where the swelling is coming from.

I have a strange pain in the bottom of my feet. What could be the reason for this?

Pain on the bottom of the feet may be secondary to overuse, pronation, inflammation of the soft tissues, etc. Weight can definitely be a contributing factor. Having a professional READ MORE
Pain on the bottom of the feet may be secondary to overuse, pronation, inflammation of the soft tissues, etc. Weight can definitely be a contributing factor. Having a professional exam earlier to diagnose the exact condition is always best before trying to treat it.

Why could my feet be so itchy?

Itchy feet are oftentimes related to an athlete's foot infection. A topical anti-fungal applied to the feet 2x/day for a duration of 6-8 weeks often resolves the condition. With READ MORE
Itchy feet are oftentimes related to an athlete's foot infection. A topical anti-fungal applied to the feet 2x/day for a duration of 6-8 weeks often resolves the condition. With that said, there are, however, rarer, much more serious conditions that can also present as itchy bumps on the bottom of the feet. It's always a good idea to have it checked out to make sure the condition is not a serious one.

My legs and feet become very heavy during my periods. What is the connection and how can I manage the pain better?

There is a link between menstrual cycles and lower extremity pain/swelling. General foot exercises would include stretching of the bottom of the feet with the use of a frozen water READ MORE
There is a link between menstrual cycles and lower extremity pain/swelling. General foot exercises would include stretching of the bottom of the feet with the use of a frozen water bottle, stretching of the calf muscles, ankle pumps, ankle range of motion exercises (e.g drawing the alphabet with your feet), heel raises, and trying to grip marbles or a towel with your toes. Foot soaks with warm water and epsom salts also help relieve muscle tension. It may also be a good idea to incorporate a rigid arch support to better stabilize the feet.

Could foot odor be a sign of an infection?

Foot smell may be secondary to a fungal infection (Athlete’s foot). The best place to start would be by using a topical antifungal cream twice/day x 6 weeks. I would also apply READ MORE
Foot smell may be secondary to a fungal infection (Athlete’s foot). The best place to start would be by using a topical antifungal cream twice/day x 6 weeks. I would also apply antifungal powder to your shoes daily and make sure to swap shoes every other day.