Even mild heel pain can be bothersome, but you usually can safely try simple home remedies for a short time.

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Have serious heel pain right after an injury.
• Have serious pain and swelling near the heel.
• Are not able to bend the foot downward, rise on the toes or walk as usual.
• Have heel pain with fever and numbness or tingling in the heel.

Schedule an office visit if:

• There's heel pain even when not walking or standing.
• Heel pain lasts more than a few weeks, even after you've tried rest, ice and other home treatments.

Self-care

Heel pain often goes away on its own with home care. Try the following:

• Rest. If possible, don't do anything that puts stress on your heels, such as running, standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces.
• Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your heel for 15 to 20 minutes, three times a day.
• New shoes. Be sure your shoes fit properly and give plenty of support. If you're an athlete, choose shoes that are designed for your sport. Replace them regularly.
• Arch supports or orthotics. Arch supports that you can buy without a prescription can help relieve pain. Custom-made orthotics usually aren't needed for heel pain.
• Pain medicines. Medicines you can get without a prescription can help relieve pain. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).