How To Prevent Foot Warts - Parkway Podiatry - The Texas Foot Specialists

Plantar warts are caused by a viral infection. It appears as a small, hard, grainy skin growth. In some cases, a plantar wart can grow more than an inch in diameter. Plantar warts are often mistaken for corns and calluses. Until it develops in size or spread in clusters. Some warts appear with little black dots. This is an indication of blood vessels that have surfaced up into the wart.  

Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in treating plantar warts.

Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Warts

• Small, hard, thick skin growth with little black dots indicating blood vessels surfacing up to the wart.
• Smooth skin surfaces often gray or brown in color
• Pain in thick areas on the soles
• Small, skin growths on the heel and ball of the foot
• Plantar warts can also form clusters (mosaic warts)

Preventing Plantar Warts

• Plantar warts are caused by a virus and enters the feet through cuts, wounds or blisters. It can be acquired through direct contact with the virus or wet surfaces containing infected skin.
• Check your feet regularly for any unusual skin changes such as discolored skin surfaces or abnormal skin growth
• The skin provides a strong physical barrier against germs and viruses. Treat wounds, cuts and blisters immediately to prevent the entry of viruses
• Wear slippers and sandals in wet public surfaces. Public showers and lockers have wet surfaces where are commonly found
• Wash hands regularly and never share items such as shoes or socks. Infection can be spread through direct contact with an infected person’s feet or skin.

Treating Plantar Warts

1. Acid – over the counter treatments for plantar warts are available. This includes the use of acids which has been proven to be one of the simplest and most effective options for plantar wart treatment. Treatment can take anywhere up to a few weeks.
2. Laser Treatment – intense heat from a laser emitting device is used to destroy the wart. It can be performed in the doctor’s clinic and can be performed in under an hour.
3. Curettage and desiccation – the area is first injected with anesthesia. The doctor then surgically removes the plantar wart which can also cause scarring.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Four Symptoms of Athlete's Foot - The Texas Foot Specialists

Athlete’s foot like the term implies is a common foot condition among athletes. But this does not excuse anyone from being infected. Good thing about athlete’s foot is that it is not as resilient as its hosts. Treatments are available and it does not cost much and some could even be conveniently found in your kitchen.

But before we go exploring into the different way of treating Athlete’s foot we must first learn how to identify its signs and symptoms. Below are possible signs of Athlete’s foot.

1. Itchy and burning sensations on the feet and between the toes
2. Dry, scaly and flaky skin areas on the foot
3. Pain due to cracked skin exposing raw tissue underneath
4. Toes become thick and discolored

Just because you could easily tuck your feet inside a pair of nice looking shoes doesn’t mean that it is a medical condition that you could easily sweep aside. Athlete’s foot when left untreated can lead to complications. Touching the infection makes it easier to spread. Any type of foot infection can be serious for diabetics. For any sign of foot infection consult a podiatrist. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in foot care and treating foot disorders.

Treating Athlete’s Foot

Anti-fungal ointments are readily available. If Athlete’s foot is treated immediately, this could be done in as little as a day or a week. But if left untreated and allowed to progress, symptoms may last for month or years. If symptoms persist for more than two week consult a podiatrist.

• Soak the feet for 5 to 10 minutes in half a liter of warm water added with 2 teaspoons of salt
• Tea contains tannic acid a natural astringent. Soak your feet in a tea bath for half an hour
• Using yogurt as an ointment can help treat a fungal infection. it contains acidophilus bacteria which checks the growth of fungi
• Add a few drops of mustard oil into the foot bath. Soak your feet for half an hour.
• Let your feet breath. Wearing open shoes

Give these home remedies at least a few weeks to work. If Athlete’s Foot remains untreated, it can lead to skin cracks or open wounds that could cause more serious infections to set in.

 The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Corns: What are Three Treatments? The Texas Foot Specialists

Many of us may not be familiar with the medical term heloma. But simply put, it is the medical term for a corn. Corns are thick areas found on the skin’s surface. If left untreated it can become painful and irritating.

What are corns?

Often confused with a callus, a corn is mostly surrounded by inflamed skin and usually smaller compared to calluses. It is circular or cone-shaped. It can be a raised bump which is painful to touch, and the thick area may become rough, dry or waxy. Corns develop in areas where there is pressure or friction. It can develop when the little toe rubs against the shoe.

Consult a podiatrist for chronic corn problems. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

What are some of the treatments for corns?

1. Primary treatment for corns is to remove dead skin that has already built-up on the affected area.
2. Salicylic acid. Purchased over-the-counter, salicylic acid is the most common treatment being used to get rid of corns. It can come in different forms such as drops, creams, or medicated pads. The acid functions as a dissolving agent for keratin, which is the protein that forms corns. If you are a diabetic person though, you should consult your doctor first as salicylic acid is contraindicated for you to use. Using salicylic acid is very easy, you can simply apply the medication directly on your corn. The uppermost layer of the corn will become white after use. Once the change in color occurs, you can peel away the layer of the skin and make the corn smaller.
3. Orthotic inserts. Orthotic inserts should be fitted by a podiatrist. These inserts will allow you to walk correctly as it helps adjust how your foot fits into your shoe. Inserts will help you reduce your chances of having corn formation and can even eradicate existing corns by decreasing friction caused by rubbing.
4. Surgery. This is the very last resort in corn treatment and is rarely used. It focuses more on the underlying tissues that causes the formation of corns. If the surgery is performed, the bone is shaved and the abnormalities are corrected so that there will be a reduced friction while walking.

Prevention

• When talking about corn prevention, the primary goal is to reduce friction.
• Wear shoes that fit well.
• Do not rub your feet. You can buy some pads if you notice that there is some rubbing.
• Wear cushioned insoles in your shoes as it always reduces friction.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Taking at Close Look at Five Causes Of Foot Blisters - The Texas Foot Specialists

Foot blisters are a common occurrence among people who wear tight or ill-fitting shoes that causes rubbing between the feet and the skin. While this is often dismissed as a simple discomfort, it can affect how we go about our normal daily routine. Walking or running could become difficult. So before we dismiss it, let us take a closer look into foot blister and possible ways of treating and preventing it.

What is a blister?

A blister is a small fluid-filled pocket. It mostly forms in the upper layers of the skin since these layers are often loose which allows blisters to form easily. The usual fluid found in a blister is a clear and watery-like liquid and is not a major cause for concern. But this can be alarming when a blister is already filled with blood and if you can already see pus.

When foot blisters become severe and chronic, consult a podiatrist. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

Five causes of blisters

1. Shoes rubbing against the foot
2. Friction
3. Shoes that do not fit properly
4. Walking for long periods of time
5. Moist foot

What should I do?

• Blisters may cause infection and pain. Hence, the number one priority for any blister treatment is to prevent infection and lessen complications. You can do so by doing these simple home treatments:
• Cover the blister with a sterile bandage. This will help the healing process as well as prevent any bacteria from infecting it.
• Using a sterilized pin, you can try to pop the blister. However, if you are afraid to do this by yourself, you can just wait for it to pop by itself as a new skin will form under it.
• If you can already see pus or blood forming in your blister, you need to consult with a doctor immediately. This may mean that the blister is already infected or that it cuts deep in your skin. Your doctor may give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria inside the blister. However, do not self-prescribe any antibiotics to yourself. It is still best if you check with your doctor what his proper prescription is.

Prevention

• Keep feet dry and ensure that the pair of shoes that you are wearing fits properly. Shoes that are too tight or too loose will only allow your feet to slide against it and can cause blisters.
• Place a bandage on the area where you think a blister is about to form so that the bandage can serve as a barrier between your foot and your shoe. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

You don’t have to be in Sports to have Athlete’s Foot - The Texas Foot Specialists

Almost everyone is familiar with the foot condition called Athlete’s foot. This is a contagious infection caused by a fungus. Signs of this fungal infection include burning, itching, flaking and dry feet. The fungus tinea pedis is responsible for Athlete’s foot. It thrives in moist and dark areas.

Nine common places of infection:

1. Gyms
2. Shower floors
3. Socks and shoes
4. Public changing areas
5. Common areas
6. Bathrooms
7. Locker rooms
8. Public swimming pools
9. Dormitory style houses

Consult a podiatrist for more information on proper foot care Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

How does the fungus spread?

• Direct contact with an infected person’s body part
• Sharing contaminated clothing
• Touching other objects or body parts that were exposed to the fungus
• Athlete’s foot is hard to treat considering the highly contagious nature of the fungus.

Most commonly affected parts of the fungus

• Hands
• Groin
• Scalp
• Feet

The feet is an ideal location for the fundus to spread and grow. The term Athlete’s foot is used because the fungus is commonly found in the area but this could easily spread to other parts of the body.

Some signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot

• Mild to moderate flaking
• Intense itching and burning
• Redness
• Cracking and bleeding skin
• Pain experience while walking or standing
• Formation of blisters
• Prevention and treatment

The best way to treat athlete’s foot is through prevention because of the recurring nature of the tinea fungus. There are a lot of helpful preventive measures that you can do to counter the fungus. Here are some of the preventive measures that you can do:

• Wear flip flops or sandals while you are in the locker rooms or public showers to minimize your contact with the floor.
• Keep your feet clean and dry. You can apply foot powders to help keep them dry.
• Allow your feet to breath. Expose them to light and cool air to prevent tinea growth.

If you already have athlete’s foot, use topical medicated, ointments, sprays and creams. These medications will help eliminate and prevent the fungus from coming back.

It has been said that almost 70% of the population had suffer from a tinea infection at least once in their lives. The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Katie Holmes has a not so perfect feet? The Texas Foot Specialists

Katie Holmes, one of the richest and most famous celebrities in Hollywood also has her own share of physical flaw. The popular actress is rumoured to have corns and calluses on her feet. But what are corn and calluses?

Corn and calluses are a painful thickening of the skin that usually occurs on the feet and is caused by friction or pressure. A callus is a more diffuse, flat area of the thick skin while the appearance of corn is a waxy, flaky, and translucent. Corns and calluses usually occur in feet and causes pain and discomfort when walking.

To understand more about corns and calluses, consult a podiatrist. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.

What are some of the causes of corn and calluses?

• Repeated pressure on the feet like walking or running
• Dry skin
• Deformities in the foot
• Incorrect walking motion
• Reduced fatty padding
• Wearing high-heeled shoes
• Wearing of ill-fitting shoes
• Wearing shoes or sandals with no socks

What are the possible sign and symptoms of corn and calluses?

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of corns and calluses:

• Area of flaky, dry skin
• Skin is bumpy
• Pain or tenderness
• Pain felt under the skin
• Skin is thick and has a hard patch

How to treat corns and calluses?

With the help of some medicated products, treating corns and calluses is possible. Always check with your podiatrist first before treatment. Treating corns and calluses involves the removal of the thickened skin as well as getting rid of the pressure and friction.

• Hard skin removal
• Protective corn plasters
• Use of silicone wedges that redistribute pressure evenly
• Soft padding or foam insoles
• Special rehydration cream intended for corns and calluses treatment
• Salicylic acid patches
• Wearing of comfortable flat shoes instead of high-heeled shoes
• Do not wear high-heeled shoes again

If you happened to notice that your corn and calluses are swelling or you are in pain, see your doctor right away.

Can we prevent corns and calluses?

By reducing or eliminating activities that lead to increased pressure on the feet, it is possible to prevent the development of corns and calluses. By looking at your feet, you are helping yourself to prevent corns and calluses.

• After washing, dry your feet thoroughly and apply a moisturizing foot cream
• Wear only the right pair of shoes
• Never hesitate to visit a podiatrist if you are already feeling pain
• To remove hard skin, use pumice stone or foot file
• Wear shoes that are perfectly and comfortably fitted to your foot

At The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders.  To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.