| Dermatology |
We offer a full array of treatments for skin problems that affect the feet and ankles. Advances in the treatment
of fungal problems, non-healing ulcers, and corns and calluses
now allow our patients to get cures for problems that
previously were slow to heal or never fully resolved. Common problems include: |
Blisters |
Definition: A friction blister is a build up of fluid or blood
between the epidermis and dermal layer of skin caused by shearing
forces applied to the skin. |
Causes include:
• Ill fitting shoes (socks)
• Skin moisture
• Pressure points on the foot
|
Treatment:
• Drainage using a sterile instrument (pin or knife cleaned
with alcohol)
• Leave roof of blister intact
•
Apply antibiotic dressing
|
Prevention:
• Reduce perspiration by applying topical antiperspirant
• Identify areas of friction and pad them with moleskin
• Check shoe fit
• Wear socks that wick away
moisture (polypropylene)
• Apply Vaseline to areas of friction
|
Athletes Foot |
Definition: Athletes
foot infections are caused by a fungal infection of the skin. There
are a variety of fungal organisms that can cause such infections.
|
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Causes:
•
Moisture, heat and darkness, all of which occur in your shoes
|
Symptoms:
• Itching, weeping, oozing and skin macerations
•
Symptoms most commonly occur in the web spaces between the toes.
• Chronic cases may cause dry, scaly redness on the soles of
the feet
|
Treatment:
• Change socks frequently if wet or use moisture wicking socks
(acrylic).
• Cleanse feet often.
• Apply topical
anti-fungal creams until symptoms resolve and anti-fungal powders
for preventative maintenance.
|
Prevention:
• Keep feet dry
• Use an anti-fungal powder
in shoes and socks.
|
Warts |
Definition: A benign
skin growth caused by a papilloma virus. A common skin condition in
the foot. |
 |
Cause:
•
Exposure to other individuals or surfaces that harbor the virus.
• Excessive perspiration of the feet can be a contributory factor
|
Symptoms:
• Warts appear as painful bumps on the feet. They
often bleed easily and are often confused as corns and calluses.
• They can occur on the soles of the feet (plantar warts) or
toes.
• They are often painful when squeezed side to side
|
Treatment:
• Initial treatment can be performed with over the counter
products. Most of these include salicylic acid in various concentrations
• Periodic paring down with a pumice stone
•
If unresponsive then seek professional help from your physician or
podiatrist
|
Prevention:
• Avoid going barefoot in communal environments (showers)
• Keep feet dry
|
Black Toenails |
Definition:
A black toenail (subungual hematoma) in a build up of blood beneath
the nail plate. If may be acute, due to stubbing the toe or dropping
a heavy object on the toe or chronic, due to repeated friction of
the nail. |
Cause:
• Acute or chronic injury to the nail.
• Improper
fitting shoes (too short, not enough room in the toe box)
•
Repeated jamming of toes in boots, especially going downhill grades
|
Symptoms:
• Acute pain in the toenail
• Minimal pain but
discoloration of the nail
• Occasional bleeding and drainage
from beneath the nail
|
Treatment:
• If pain is acute, the hemorrhage beneath the toenail
must be drained.
• In the field this can be done by heating
a paperclip or sharp instrument and applying it to the nail plate
until drainage occurs.
• If you have access to a physician
or clinic, they can decompress the nail with a high-speed drill or
electrocautery.
• Chronic non-painful cases can be left
alone. The nail will often grow out and eventually fall off leaving
a new nail beneath it.
|
Prevention:
• Careful fitting of shoes and socks.
• Avoidance
of acute injuries to the toes
|
Corns and Calluses |
Definition: Corns and calluses are thickening of the skin caused
by excessive localized pressure due to foot deformities or improper
fitting shoes. |
Cause:
• Improper fitting shoe
• Foot deformities such as
bunions, hammertoes and flat feet.
|
Symptoms:
• Painful thickening of skin usually over a bone prominence
• Most common areas are the toes and balls of feet
|
Treatment:
• Debride painful calluses with a pumice stone.
•
Apply moisturizing creams daily.
• Pad areas of irritation
with protective materials including moleskin, felt and tape.
• Seek professional help from a podiatrist if symptoms persist.
|
Prevention:
• Check shoe fit to make certain there are no pressure points
on the foot.
• Pad any bony prominences to avoid development.
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