Toenail & Skin Conditions

LASER TREATMENT FOR FUNGAL NAILS

• Do you have thick, yellow, discolored toenails?

• Are you embarrassed to wearyour open-toed shoes in public?

Fungal toenails are caused by an organism that grows on top and under the nail.  The fungus grows in warm, moist places like your shoes. You can pick up fungal toenail infections from a nail salon, wet shoes or from trauma. Fungus stays in the nails for many years and can spread very quickly. There are three treatment modalities for this condition. They include topical medications, oral medications, and the newest modality which is laser therapy.

At our practice, we use an FDA approved laser, which focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to destroy the fungus living under and in the nail. The procedure is performed in our office, requires no anesthesia and is painless.  Most patients require a few treatments and can once again enjoy wearing open toed shoes. If you're tired of looking at those unsightly toenails, please contact our office to determine if you are a candidate for laser therapy.

INGROWN TOENAILS 

An ingrown toe nail occurs when one or both sides of a nail starts to break and grown into your toe’s soft skin. This can cause irritation and infection when the nail creates a cut or skin opening in the toe. To help keep ingrown toenails at bay, you should practice proper nail trimming. Being  overzealous when cutting our toenails can lead to an ingrown toenail. If you are unsure of whether you have an ingrown toenail, below are possible signs and symptoms.

• Swollen ingrown edge

• Presence of red or pink color in the toe area

• Pus or any liquid discharges

• Feeling of warmth

• Smelly feet

Are there any other causes? Yes, there are other causes that lead to ingrown toenails aside from cutting our toenails too short, these are:

• Shoes that are not well-fitted. Tight shoes may push your skin on the sides of the nail, which will result to your nail growing through the pushed skin.

• Toe injuries. If you have an injury that causes your nail to fall off, then you are at risk to grow an ingrown nail considering that new nails have higher chances to become ingrown.

• Activities done repeatedly such as sports

We specialize in helping people with ingrown toenails.  Schedule an appointment today!  

FOOT WARTS (PLANTAR WARTS)

Plantar Warts are a common foot condition that we treat in our practice. 
If you have one or more growths on the bottom of your foot that may or may not be painful, chances are it's a plantar wart. Plantar Warts are caused by a virus. You may notice little black dots in the wart. People sometimes think these dots are splinters. They are actually the blood vessels that nourish the wart. You can get viral warts anywhere you walk barefoot, such as the local pool, karate studio, dance studio, locker room or even from a pedicure salon.

There are several treatments for plantar warts; including topical medication, excision, injections and laser therapy. The type of treatment received depends upon the patient's needs. Plantar warts can spread easily. If you think you have one or more plantar warts, come in immediately to have them removed before they multiply.

THINK IT'S SKIN CANCER?

• Have you noticed a growth or a discoloration on your foot or ankle?

• Has this growth changed shape or color recently?

In either case you should come in for an evaluation to let us determine if these conditions warrant treatment. We see these conditions every day in our practice and we are equipped to diagnose and treat these conditions quickly and effectively. 

Don't put yourself at risk by ignoring these signs. Schedule a consultation so that we can safeguard you against the cancers and complications that could develop.

ATHLETE'S FOOT

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection affecting the web of skin between the toes and the soles of the foot. Symptoms typically include itching, burning, pain and scaling. People pick up these fungal infections when walking barefoot on contaminated floors and object. Since Athlete's Foot is very contagious, it can even be passed from person to person. Although Athlete's foot can be treated with anti-fungal medications, you should always try to keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and "breathable shoes".

If you think you have athlete's feet, come in for treatment and we'll help you feel better in no time.