When you think of skin problems, do you consider them developing on your feet?
Though it may seem like common sense, many people forget that you can develop a severe condition wherever you have skin and nails—all the way down to your toes.
Some problems are minor, unsightly, and somewhat uncomfortable. Most people have them treated because they are tired of the condition's effect on their feet. Other issues, however, can be pretty serious. They can open the body to infection, cause significant pain, and decrease your quality of life.
Common Skin & Nail Conditions
Whatever your concerns are with your skin and nails, Dr. Evan Merrill can help diagnose and care for them.
At Southern Oregon Foot & Ankle, we see and treat a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions involving the skin and nails. Some of the most common problems include:
- Athlete's foot. This infection is easy to catch and can be hard to eliminate. As microscopic fungi grow on your feet, the skin dries and itches. It can also peel or crack.
- Blisters. These raised, fluid-filled bumps are frequently caused by friction, but they can also develop from burns, extreme cold, and occasionally illness.
- Calluses. Under pressure and friction, the body builds up extra layers of thick, dead skin to protect itself. These thickened areas are called calluses, and they can be both unsightly and uncomfortable. The affected spot is rough and can be dry, flaky, and painful when pressed on.
- Corns. Often confused with calluses, corns are also spots of thickened skin, but they behave differently. They occupy a smaller area and typically develop in places that don't bear weight, like the tops or sides of toes.
- Fungal nails. If microscopic fungi get under your nails, they begin to grow and multiply. This slowly damages the hard keratin tissue that makes up your nails. Over time, the tissues become thickened, discolored, brittle, ragged, and generally unsightly.
- Ulcers. These are breaks in the skin that do not heal. They generally occur in someone with a weak or compromised immune system. The sores open the body to severe infections, which could lead to a need for amputation if not cared for quickly enough.
- Warts. Warts are growths caused by viruses. They are called plantar warts when they appear on the bottom of the foot, often under pressure points.
If you have any pain in your feet or are concerned about changes on the surface of your skin, don't wait and allow them to get worse before seeking treatment. Even serious skin conditions start small before they become dangerous to your health—and they are much easier to treat successfully when they are caught early.
Nail and Skin Care in Medford, OR
Start on the path to healing your foot skin concerns today. Contact Southern Oregon Foot & Ankle for an appointment or more information. Call our office in Medford at (541) 776-3338 or fill out our contact form.