Skin And Nail Conditions
Do you shy away from showing off your feet? Are you embarrassed to expose your toes? Is a nail or skin problem causing you pain and discomfort?
Skin and nail care play an important role in the overall health of your feet. Without proper care of your skin and nails, you could get infections or ulcers. These can lead to many other serious foot conditions, especially in older patients and persons with diabetes.
Foot Skin and Nail Problems That We Treat
The skin on your feet is thin and can easily become scratched, scraped, or damaged. Your nails take a beating when you run, walk, or wear the wrong shoes. Here are just a few of the nail and skin conditions our Richardson podiatrists often treat in our examination rooms:
Corns and Calluses
If you walk, run, or move around on your job a lot, you probably cause quite a bit of friction on certain areas of your foot. Over time, your feet will develop corns or calluses to protect against repetitive friction. Corns usually form on your toes and calluses form on the soles of your feet. Without treatment, these can become painful. You might also experience a burning sensation.
Don’t try to remove corns or calluses at home! With treatment, such as moleskin or padding from your podiatrist, you can get safe relief without putting your foot’s health at risk.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when you clip your nails too short or too square. As the nail continues to grow, it could poke underneath the skin. Without treatment, your toenail could become infected, sore, and painful.
With help from a podiatrist, you can correct the shape of your toenail and get fast relief from painful ingrown nails.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is characterized by a chronic infection on your foot caused by a fungus. It’s usually contracted in places where people frequently walk barefooted, such as swimming halls or gym showers. Symptoms include dryness, itching, and redness. You might also get blisters or mild scaling.
For treatment, medication and self-care are usually needed. Your podiatrist will instruct you on the best way to care for your feet and help prevent future outbreaks.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are small skin growths on the bottom of your feet. They are non-cancerous, but they can be painful, making it difficult to walk. Over time they can impact your posture and may lead to joint problems.
Freezing, minor surgery, or a laser is used to treat this common foot condition. Talk to your podiatrist about which type of treatment is right for you.
Your Toenails and Feet Are in Good Hands With Our Experienced Podiatrists
If you have any of these common skin or nail problems, put your feet in the hands of an experienced podiatrist. With our help, you’ll walk with comfort and confidence. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
Related Areas: