Skin Conditions

Our feet are common sites for skin conditions. Whether you’re swimming in a public pool, walking barefoot in a communal locker room, or sharing shoes with a friend, it can be easy to contract these problems.

Common Foot Skin Conditions

Our team strives to meet the needs of each patient who walks through our door. To this end, we treat a variety of foot skin conditions, including:

Athlete’s Foot

Also called tinea pedia, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that commonly starts between the toes. It’s often caused by tight, confining shoes that cause feet to sweat excessively.

The most prominent symptom of athlete’s foot is a scaly rash that may itch, sting, or burn. This highly contagious condition is commonly passed by walking on contaminated floors or sharing towels and clothing.

Most mild cases of athlete’s foot can be treated with over-the-counter topical medications. However, if it doesn’t respond to these treatments, a prescription-strength topical medication or even a systemic antifungal pill can provide relief.

Calluses & Corns

Calluses and corns occur when the body adapts to excess friction and pressure, commonly caused by ill-fitting shoes or frequent physical activity. Although they’re normal, it’s important to seek treatment if they cause discomfort or if you have diabetes or compromised circulation.

These thick skin growths are treated in many ways, including:

• Trimming or shaving with a scalpel
• Medications containing salicylic acid
• Custom orthotics
• Surgery (in rare cases)

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when the side or corner of a toenail grows into the soft skin surrounding it, causing pain, redness, and swelling, and threatening infection. In severe cases, they can even hinder your ability to walk.

Whether your ingrown toenail has just developed or you have an infection, our team can help. Some of the most effective treatments for this condition include lifting the nail and placing a splint beneath it, removing the ingrown portion of the nail, and, in severe cases, removing the nail and underlying tissue. Antibiotics may also be used to fight or reduce the risk of infection.

Plantar Warts

These spongy, rough bumps commonly occur on the bottoms of the feet. They typically have a small, dark dot of dried blood in the center. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be contracted through the feet in common public areas like locker rooms.

Plantar warts can be treated in many ways, including:

• Strong peeling medicine containing salicylic acid
• Cryotherapy
• Immune therapy
• Minor surgery
• Laser treatment
• HPV vaccine

Nail Fungus

Also called onychomycosis, this condition starts as a white or yellow spot beneath your toenail. If untreated, the infection can deepen, causing nail discoloration, thickening, and crumbling.

Common treatments for this condition include antifungal drugs, medicated nail polish, and/or medicated nail cream. In severe cases of nail fungus, we may recommend the surgical removal of your nail for the direct application of medicine to the underlying tissue.