When it comes to your feet, proper care for your skin and nails is more than just making sure they look good when out during the summer.

Don’t get us wrong: appearance is a worthwhile goal. However, so is protecting the outer defenses of your feet from infection and discomfort. Luckily, proper foot care satisfies all these ambitions!

When problems persistently trouble your skin or nails, they are always worth addressing. Our feet already endure enough by being on the front lines of every step they take. Don’t allow extra problems to compromise their ability to weather the elements and protect you.

Our office provides diagnosis, treatment, and advice for a wide range of skin and nail conditions.

INGROWN TOENAILS

Not all ingrown toenails require professional attention. Many minor cases of the side or corner of a toenail growing into the skin can be treated at home.

That said, there are times when an ingrown toenail should be seen by a podiatrist. These include:

  • The toe showing signs of infection, such as severe pain, radiating streaks of redness, heavy discharge of pus, and even a fever.
  • Your toe is otherwise too painful to address the situation on your own (and there is absolutely no shame in this).
  • Your toenail repeatedly becomes ingrown, more often than once in a great while.

When an ingrown toenail becomes complicated, do not hesitate to see us. We can not only treat the problem at hand, but help prevent future ingrown toenails from developing.

FUNGAL NAILS

Toenail fungus can be an extremely stubborn guest to get rid of. By the time your nails are thick, brittle, and discolored, it has already claimed a firm foothold on… well, your foot.

The sooner fungal toenails can be addressed, the faster and more effective treatment tends to be. But that doesn’t mean long-term cases can’t be eliminated or significantly improved! We would be happy to discuss options for reclaiming clearer, healthier nails.

ATHLETE’S FOOT

Athlete’s foot tends to cause a scaly rash on the skin. This can often appear between the toes, at the base of the toes, or along the top or underside of the foot. The rash is usually accompanied by itching, stinging, or burning sensations, and the skin can sometimes have a moist appearance as well.

While athlete’s foot doesn’t quite look like a fungal toenail infection, they can be caused by the same type of fungus, and in some cases can spread between skin and nails. Try to avoid touching or picking at either condition, and always wash your hands thoroughly when you do.

If your case of athlete’s foot is not improving after a day or two of home treatment, or seems severe, we can help!

Corns, Calluses, and Dry Skin

The elements can always cause some trouble on your skin, and it’s important to take them as a sign that something needs to change.

Corns and calluses are both responses to excess friction against areas of your skin. Corns tend to look more raised and smaller in appearance, while calluses are flatter and wider. They are an attempt by your skin to build up protection for itself, but can lead to pain and discomfort in certain situations—not to mention they look terrible!

Dry skin in itself is also unattractive, but excessive dryness can lead to cracking of the skin—especially in high-pressure areas such as your heel. Cracked skin is painful and also increases your risk of infection.

We can help you find the causes of any of these conditions, and help you address them properly. Some cases might benefit from a simple change in footwear or a moisturizing regimen, while others might require more advanced treatments. We can discuss all your options moving forward, and help you choose the best for your individual needs.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN AND NAILS!

Clear skin and toenails are healthy skin and toenails! If you have any problems that persist for more than a few days, give our office a call. We have the experience and tools to take care of skin and nail conditions effectively.

Call our Hopkinsville practice at (270) 885-1203 to schedule an appointment. Or, if you prefer electronic correspondence, fill out our online contact form to have a member of our office reach out to you.