Dermatologic (Skin) Problems

Fungal Nail Infections

Fungal nail infections may be caused by many different types of fungi that live in the environment.  The germs can enter small cracks in your nail or surrounding skin and cause an infection. Common causes are unsterile nail salons, trauma to your nail bed, damp environments such as swimming pools, locker rooms, or shared showers.  Nail fungus may present as nails that are: 

• thickened

• discolored

• brittle, crumbly or ragged

• seperated from the nail bed

Corns.

Corns have a hard center surrounded by swollen skin. They can be painful when pressed. Hard corns are thickened, dead skin, with a central core, and are often on the top of the toes or the outer edge of the small toe. Soft corns are thinner and tend to form between the toes. They are often caused by friction or pressure.  Your podiatrist can treat the corn by shaving it down or removing it, and then you can work together to make a plan to prevent/inhibit future growth by evaluating your footwear and implementing pads or other preventative measures.

Plantars Warts

Warts are caused by HPV, a common viral infection. HPV is contagious, and it can spread, resulting in a "mosaic" (or cluster) of warts.  Due to weight bearing pressure, warts on the foot (Plantar warts) grow inward rather than outward (as most warts do).  Contrary to other warts, which may respond well to over the counter wart pads/treatments, plantar warts often require podiatric treatment, as the wart grows inward and is often covered by a callus type skin growth.  Seek treatment for your plantar wart(s) early before they spread on your own foot or cause spreading to the people who share your space.

ATHLETES FOOT

Athlete's foot, sometimes referred to as Tinea Pedia, is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes, but it can also affect other areas of the feet. The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and moist environment that encourages fungus growth.  It is very contagious and can spread easily in warm, damp environments. If you believe that you have a fungus infection that does not respond to proper foot hygiene and there is no improvement within two weeks, consult a podiatrist.

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CALLUSES

Calluses are rarely painful and tend to develop on pressure spots, such as the heels, the balls of the feet, the palms and the knees. Calluses are typically on the bottom of the feet.  They can become uncomfortable if they become too thick, and they may lead to more serious problems in patients who are diabetic or have other vascular or nerve conditions.  

VENOUS DERMATITIS

Venous (Stasis) Dermatitis is skin inflammation cause by fluid buildup and chronic edema.  It is a result of circulatory problems including venous insufficiency, lymphedema, and right heart failure.  Symptoms include discoloration, itching, pain, swelling, crusting skin, & oozing.  Treatment involves treating the underlying circulation problems as well as wearing compression stockings, elevating your feet, and treating complications such as infections and ulcers.