Board Certified
Foot & Ankle Surgeons
Ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot, plantar warts – these are just some of the many embarrassing conditions that can develop in the skin and nails of your feet. And if you are too shy to show your feet in public or if painful symptoms keep you from doing the things you love, then it is definitely time to come visit one of our Richmond, VA offices.
Since our skin and nails are subjected to quite a bit of abuse on a daily basis, there are many conditions that may cause harm to our feet. However, some of the most common conditions we treat at our offices are:
This issue develops either when toes are jammed together in the front of shoes that are too tight, or when the toenail is not trimmed properly and grows into the side of the toe. They can also happen on account of physical trauma or even an inherited nail structure, like naturally curved nails.
This condition develops when fungi become embedded underneath the tip of the nail. The nail may become discolored, brittle, and ragged, and often require treatment – the condition will not go away on its own, and may even spread to other toes.
The skin on the feet can develop these hardened areas of skin to protect from damage, like ulcers, scratches, or blisters. Without treatment, calluses and corns could become painful or lead to burning sensations.
These are actually the result of a viral infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). The viral growths are not dangerous but can cause physical discomfort and embarrassment. Not to mention that, over time, warts can easily spread and grow.
In spite of the name, this common infection is not one that only athletes develop – anyone who visits damp, humid environments, like locker rooms and pool decks, or wears footwear that traps moisture inside could be at risk. This type of infection may begin with signs of itching and burning sensations.
The list could easily become quite extensive. But the point is: Skin and nail problems are very common and potentially very frustrating.
The good news is that there are definitely measures you can take in order to prevent these from becoming a part of your life.
If you practice good foot care habits, you should be able to steer clear from most skin and nail conditions out there. Indeed, as it is true with most health problems, the first step to eradicating skin and nail issues is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
And there are some easy foot care habits you can “adopt” to ensure your feet and ankles are kept fresh and happy throughout every stage of your life:
And, of course, you should always seek medical care whenever you become aware of anything unusual – early intervention is best for optimal recovery.
So, though we hope you are able to steer clear from all foot and ankle troubles, we want you to know that you don’t have to live with embarrassing or painful problems in your lower extremities if they do arise. With our help, you will be able to keep them healthy and regain pride in your feet once more.
All you have to do is call us at (804) 173-1717 to schedule an appointment at one of our five locations – Ashland, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Richmond, West Point. You can also simply fill out our handy request form online and one of our trained staff members will contact you to confirm your appointment.
