Fungal nails are typically seen in people in the latter stages of life. Our bodies lose the ability to fight off the fungal infections that keep being introduced to our feet. The primary cause of fungal nails is the same organism that causes athlete’s foot. Fungal nails can be thick, yellow and crumbly.
Once the infection is present, it is hard to get it to clear up. If you come in as soon as you see your nails start to turn colors, then the success of treatment is a lot better
There are currently three treatment modalities for this condition. They include topical medications, oral medications, which can have some serious side effects; and the newest modality which is laser therapy.
At our practice, Foot and Ankle Medical Clinic, we use a laser, which focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to eradicate the fungus living under and in the nail. The procedure is performed right in our office, requires no anesthesia and is painless. Most patients require only three treatments and can once again enjoy wearing open toed shoes. If you’r
INGROWN TOENAILS
Ingrown nails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe, with toenail clippers. If painful or infected, I might need to remove the ingrown portion of the toenail permanently.
The first thing to keep in mind is to come and see Dr. Nelson pretty quickly once the toenail becomes ingrown. Untreated infections in the toe can cause this infection to get seated into the bone causing a condition called osteomyelitis. This condition may in turn cause you to lose your toe through a surgical amputation. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, come in and see Dr. Nelson right away. You should not have to suffer with the pain any longer than necessary.
FOOT WARTS – PLANTAR WARTS
Warts are caused by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus. This virus enters the skin trhough small cracks in your feet and infect the skin. It lives in the outermost portion of the skin called the epidermis.
Children and teenagers tend to especially be more susceptible than adults. Most warts are harmless and benign, even though painful. The pain will not usually be with direct pressure on the wart.
If you squeeze it from side to side, that will be the most pain. Warts come from walking barefooted on dirty surfaces or littered ground. There are literally thousands of treatments for warts. Before you dive into over-the-counter treatments, see your podiatrist first to confirm the diagnosis of the wart. I have several treatments for warts, with good success rates, readily available in this office.
There are several different infections that can act like a corn or callus. Warts are an example of this.
CORNS & CALLUSES
Corns and Calluses are protective layers of compacted, dead skin cells. They are caused by repetitive friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas in the foot or against a rough area inside the shoe. You will more than likely see corns form on the toes and calluses form on the soles of the foot.
These areas can burn or otherwise be painful. This pain can be relieved from applying moleskin over the areas of callus. I would strongly advise that you never cut a corn or callus with any instrument unless directed to do so by me or another podiatrist. Home remedies such as the topical acids that are available over the counter are generally not recommended, especially if you are a diabetic. Medicated corn pads should be used with extreme caution and only after you have visited with a podiatrist.
There are several different infections that can act like a corn or callus. Warts are an example of this. If you believe that you have a callus, please see a podiatrist to confirm this.
There are several different infections that can act like a corn or callus. Warts are an example of this.
ATHLETE’S FOOT
This is a skin disease that usually starts between the toes or on the bottom of the foot. This can quickly spread to other areas of the body. Is it most commonly caused by a fungus called Trichophyton rubrum. It commonly attacks the feet, because the warm and damp environment inside your shoes will contribute to the growth of fungal organisms.
The signs of athlete’s foot are dry, scaly skin, itching, inflammation and blisters. You may have just one symptom or any combination of the ones just mentioned. Less frequently, these infections may be mimicked by a yeast infection. The doctor can help distinguish between the two types of infection.
You can help prevent infection by washing your feet daily with soap and warm water. Take time to dry your feet carefully, especially between the toes. I recommend that you pat the feet dry instead of roughly running a towel across the foot. Another thing you can do is to change your shoes on a regular basis. I routinely encourage people to buy two pairs of tennis shoes and alternate the days that you wear each pair. Allow 24 hours for the shoes to dry in between uses. You may also take an extra change of socks or hose along to allow for the foot to dry even more.
Athlete’s foot is not the only infection, fungal or otherwise, to afflict the foot. There are several skin conditions that will be noticed on the foot. These are all very good reasons to see me in the clinic for further evaluation.