Common foot issues like ingrown toenails, fungal infections, plantar warts, and calluses can cause pain and affect mobility. Our expert team offers personalized treatments, from conservative care to advanced procedures, to restore foot health and comfort. Schedule a consultation today for expert care.
Comprehensive Care
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and inflammation.
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes and Risk Factors include wearing tight shoes, improper nail trimming, or trauma to the toenail. People with naturally curved nails or poor foot hygiene are at a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ingrown toenails include pain, redness, swelling, and, in some cases, drainage or infection at the affected area.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination of the foot. Imaging may be recommended if there is concern about infection or bone involvement.
Treatment
Treatment may involve soaking the foot in warm water with Epsom salt, proper nail trimming, and antibiotics if infection is present. For more severe cases, an in-clinic procedure can be performed to remove the portion of the toenail causing the problem. In cases of recurrent ingrown toenails, a specialized procedure can permanently remove part of the toenail to prevent future issues while maintaining a natural appearance.
Toenail Trauma
Injury to the toenail is often caused by dropping a heavy object on the foot or stubbing the toe, which can lead to bruising, nail damage, or nail loss.
Symptoms include pain, discoloration (typically black or blue), and swelling. In severe cases, the toenail may become loose or fall off entirely.
Diagnosis typically involves a visual examination, but X-rays may be ordered to rule out underlying bone injury if a fracture is suspected.
Treatment includes ice and elevation to reduce swelling. If necessary, blood trapped under the nail may be drained, and in some cases, the damaged nail may be removed to promote healing and prevent infection.
Fungal Toenails (Onychomycosis)
A fungal infection that affects the toenail, leading to discoloration, thickening, and brittleness.
Causes and Risk Factors include warm, moist environments such as sweaty shoes, nail fungus, and weakened immune systems. People with diabetes or poor circulation are more susceptible to fungal toenail infections.
Symptoms often present as discolored, thickened or brittle nails that may also emit a foul odor.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam. A fungal culture or a nail clipping may be sent for lab testing to identify the specific type of fungus.
Treatment options include holistic remedies, topical treatments, antifungal medications, and, in severe cases, removal of the affected toenail to allow healthier regrowth.
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that primarily affects the skin on the feet, leading to itching, redness, and peeling.
Causes and Risk Factors include exposure to damp environments, such as public showers or sweaty shoes. People with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable to developing athlete’s foot.
Symptoms include itching, burning, dry, scaling, and redness between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
Diagnosis is typically made through a visual examination. In some cases, skin scrapings may be analyzed to confirm the fungal infection.
Treatment involves the use of antifungal creams or oral medications. Lifestyle modifications can help prevent the infection from coming back once it clears.
Plantar Warts
Warts that appear on the soles of the feet, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Causes and Risk Factors include direct contact with infected surfaces, such as swimming pool floors. People with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable to plantar warts.
Symptoms typically include small, raised growths on the bottom of the feet that may feel like a stone underfoot, often accompanied by a hardened area of skin.
Diagnosis is usually made through a physical exam to identify the wart. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed if the diagnosis is unclear.
Treatment options include over-the-counter treatments, cryotherapy (freezing), laser treatment, a topical medicine applied in the clinic that causes the wart to auto-extrude itself by forming a blister, or surgical removal for persistent warts.
Blisters
A blister is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the skin due to friction, burns, or other types of trauma.
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes and Risk Factors include friction from shoes, burns, or repetitive movement
Symptoms
Symptoms typically involve painful, fluid-filled blisters, often with redness or swelling around them.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made through a physical examination, and in some cases, a culture may be taken if infection is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment includes keeping the blister clean and covered. In some cases draining the blister under sterile conditions is necessary.
Calluses and Corns
Calluses and corns are thickened, hardened areas of skin that form in response to friction or pressure, typically on the feet.
Causes and Risk Factors include tight shoes, abnormal foot structure, or repetitive pressure on certain areas of the feet.
Symptoms typically include thick, hardened skin, often accompanied by pain when pressure is applied or while walking.
Diagnosis is made through a physical exam to assess the location and appearance of the callus or corn.
Treatment may involve soaking the feet, using over-the-counter pads or creams, and, in some cases, professional removal.
Why Choose Us for Your Nail and Skin Conditions
Dr. Nicole Cates, a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, offers expert care in treating toenail and skin conditions. With extensive experience in both conservative and surgical treatments, Dr. Cates ensures that every patient receives the most effective care tailored to their unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with the discomfort of ingrown toenails, the persistence of fungal infections, or the pain of plantar warts, you can trust Dr. Cates to provide compassionate, high-quality treatment. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
