Treating toenail fungus

Toenail fungus--it's one of the most common podiatric problems children, teens, and adults have. Causing thickened, yellow, brittle nails, onychomycosis (the medical name for toenail fungus) spreads easily and can be stubborn to treat. If you see one or more of your toenails changing shape, color, and texture, see your foot doctor right away. They have the expertise and treatments to give you ten clear toenails once again.

How toenail fungus starts

The micro-organism thrives in dark, moist environments--sweaty socks and sneakers being prime candidates. Additionally, shared towels, nail clippers, shower room floors, and pool decks breed toenail and Athlete's Foot fungus. In fact, if you suffer periodic outbreaks of itchy, uncomfortable Athlete's Foot, you're more prone to onychomycosis, says the American Academy of Dermatology.

Conquering toenail fungus

Your foot doctor sees scores of patients with toenail fungus. Visual inspection is the main diagnostic tool, and for mild cases of onychomycosis, the podiatrist may recommend creams or ointments applied topically. Oral medications are an option as well.

Additionally, modern podiatry offers innovative laser treatments which kill the micro-organism right where it lives. Painless and very effective, laser treatments are applied to all ten toenails to prevent re-infection.

Unfortunately, toenail fungal infections can become quite severe and spread to the nail bed. When infection is severe, the podiatrist may advise complete removal of the toenail to prevent further problems.

Prevention is best

Of course, if you can avoid toenail fungus, your feet and nails will look and feel their best, and you won't be embarrassed to wear open-toed shoes or sandals in the warm weather. However, some people are more prone to this common infection--diabetics, those with poor peripheral circulation and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

Regardless, your podiatrist recommends these preventive measures for healthy, fungus-free nails:

1. Wash your feet with soap and water daily, and dry them with a clean towel.
2. Clip your toenails straight across with a clean clippers.
3. Wear clean socks daily.
4. Change your gym shoes after a workout. In fact, alternate pairs if possible, letting your footwear dry out between wearings.
5. Wear flip-flops or shower sandals in the locker room and poolside, too.

With as much weight bearing and movement your feet put in each day, it's easy to understand how foot and ankle injuries can happen. Our podiatrists at Clintonville Foot & Ankle Group in Columbus, Ohio, have identified three common causes of foot pain and offered some details about their symptoms and treatments in this post.

Bunions

If you're a woman who frequently wears narrow shoes, particularly high heels, you may have a bunion and not even realize it! Bunions happen when the joint at the base of the big toe begins to jut outwards in response to the toes being crowded together. Our Columbus podiatrists most often see female patients with this condition due to the styles of their popular footwear. In this case, a cushioned pad or shoe insert may help take pressure off the bunion, although rethinking your shoe choices for something roomier can also make a huge difference. Splints worn at night can also help by guiding the big toe back into a more natural position. Those whose bunions continue to be painful may need surgery to reconstruct the joint.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a ligament that you probably haven't thought much about... that is unless it becomes inflamed and starts to make it difficult to walk! This common foot ailment often affects people whose jobs require a lot of time on their feet and usually hurts worst in the morning upon getting out of bed. Rest, a combination of ice and heat, and a change to more supportive footwear can help relieve this condition. A few of our Columbus patients, however, may need surgery to stop the cycle of inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.

Sprained ankle

Another common problem that podiatrists routinely treat are sprained ankles, which occur when the connective tissues inside the ankle are stretched past their capacity. Whether you're an athlete or just unlucky during icy weather, sprains, unfortunately, happen every day at random.

The degree of a sprain typically dictates the treatment, which may just require a few days of rest or even immobilization if the injury is severe. This variance of severity is why if you think you've sprained your ankle, it's important to contact your Columbus podiatrist right away.

Interested? Call today!

At Clintonville Foot & Ankle Group, we're committed to helping our patients experience comfort and function to the fullest. If you're having foot pain and aren't sure what's causing it, contact us at one of our convenient Ohio locations - Clintonville, Dublin, or Columbus - to schedule an evaluation with one of our podiatrists today!

What Causes Warts?

Got foot warts? Nearly everyone will have a wart at some point in their lives. Warts are typically small, hard skin growths caused by an infection with humanpallilloma virus. Foot warts are treatable. Foot warts are among the most common dermatologic conditions podiatrists treat. Read on to learn about the causes of warts.

An HPV Infection

Common warts are caused by by an HPV infection. Over 100 types of HPV exist. Certain types of HPV infection cause cervical cancer. Some types of HPV infection cause foot warts, while others cause warts that appear on the face, neck, or hands. Of the 100 types of HPV, about 60 cause common warts on areas such as the hands or feet.

Skin-To-Skin Contact

Wart viruses are contagious. You can get foot warts from skin-to-skin contact with people who have warts. However, not all HPV strains are highly contagious. You can get the wart virus by touching an object that another person's wart touched, such as clothing, towels, shoes, or exercise equipment.

Breaks in Your Skin

HPV infects the top layer of skin and usually enters the body in an area of damaged or cut skin. Cuts from shaving can provide an avenue for infection. Getting a scrape can also bring on common warts. Foot warts are very common in swimmers whose feet are scratched by rough pool surfaces.

A Weak Immune System

In most cases, your immune system defeats an HPV infection before it creates a wart. Someone with a weakened immune system is more vulnerable and therefore more likely to develop warts. Immune systems can be weakened by HIV or by immunosuppressant drugs used after organ transplants.


If you want to get rid of foot warts, see your podiatrist as soon as possible. Many types of effective wart treatments are available. They include salicylic acid, cantharidin, cryotherapy, laser treatment, and surgery. Your podiatrist can help you get rid of foot warts once and for all!

Have you been experiencing any heel pain or bothersome tenderness without any obvious cause? Although heel spurs themselves sometimes do not cause acute discomfort, they are frequently associated with the painful inflammation known as plantar fasciitis, a condition commonly described as feeling like a knife is wrenching through your foot. Read below for more information on the typical causes, symptoms, and treatments of heel spurs.

What is a Heel Spur?

A heel spur is often the result of overstraining foot muscles and ligaments, overstretching the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes), and repeatedly tearing the heel bone membrane. From these actions arises a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. Risk factor for developing the condition include:

• Possessing any walking gait abnormalities

• Regularly running or jogging on hard surfaces

• Wearing poorly fitted or overly worn shoes

• Wearing shoes that lack arch support

• Being excessively overweight or obese

What are The Symptoms?

Heel spurs do not carry many symptoms by themselves. However, they are often related to other afflictions, most typically plantar fasciitis. The most common sign of this combo of conditions is a feeling of chronic pain along the bottom or back of the heel, especially during periods of walking, running, or jogging. If you are experiencing this recurring inflammation, it is a good idea to visit your local podiatrist's office and inquire about undergoing an x-ray or ultrasound examination of the foot.

What are the Treatment Options?

The solutions to heel spurs are generally centered around decreasing inflammation and avoiding re-injury. They include:

• Applying ice on the inflammation

• Performing stretch exercises

• Wearing orthotic devices or shoe inserts to relieve pressure off of the spur

• Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to relieve pain

• In extreme cases, surgery can be performed on chronically inflamed spurs

If you are dealing with symptoms of heel spurs or pain in your feet, turn to a podiatrist so that we can get you back on your feet. Don't ignore your pain.

Custom orthotics are removable shoe inserts that provide greater arch support and stability to the feet and ankles. There are different types of orthotics available depending on the issue and level of support that is needed. Basic orthotics are sold over the counter, but a custom pair designed specifically for your foot will provide optimal support and comfort.

When are Custom Orthotics Necessary?

Podiatrists typically recommend custom orthotics for people with flat feet, or very high arches. One of the most common signs that you may benefit from a pair of orthotics is heel pain (although you may also experience pain and swelling in other parts of the foot). You may also experience pain and swelling after normal and relatively low impact activities like standing or walking.

A good way to figure out if you are having pronation issues is to examine the soles of your shoes and sneakers. If the soles and insoles tend to become visibly more worn on one side, it may be a sign that your alignment is off and you are over or under pronating. A podiatrist may ask you to walk in your bare feet to observe your stride and gait (known as a gait analysis). If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or stiffness, especially after exercise or after long periods of rest, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Types of Custom Orthotics

There are a few different types of custom orthotics designs available depending on your needs.

Functional (also known as rigid) orthotics are made of harder materials and are usually prescribed for pronation problems or joint issues like arthritis.

Accommodative orthotics are designed to provide more cushioning and support and are typically prescribed for problems like plantar fasciitis and bunions.

In addition to improving your gait and foot and ankle alignment, custom orthotics can help to prevent related strains and injuries and relieve back, joint, and knee pain if it is caused by issues with your arches and pronation.