Question
Hello,
 I have these small balls under the skin, which pop out around the side of my heel when I step or put pressure on the bottom of my foot in any way.  They are each about the size of a BB. They are not really noticable when there is no pressure on the bottom of the foot. Do you know what they are and/or how to get rid of them?  
  They are not painful and mostly unnoticeable when not stepping, but they are pretty weird looking when I'm walking around barefoot or in sandals. I am 27, they have been growing in number and size since I noticed them about 8 years ago. Will they continue to grow and are there any complications with them in the future?
  I cannot tell if they are trapped fluid or what. Would any compression or something similar diminish them, for example?
  Thank you for your help.

Answer
These are called piezogenic papules and are rarely painful and mostly cosmetic.  There is no good treatment for these and I would avoid surgery.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://painfoot.blogspot.com
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http://www.notoenailfungus.com

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