Skin & Toenail Conditions

It might be tempting to pass off many skin and toenail conditions as only superficial matters, but that simply isn’t true!

Many skin and nail conditions are a sign of infection, friction, or other problems. Properly addressing them will not only help your feet look better, but can often help prevent more severe or problematic issues from developing as well. We’ll always be happy to help you find the treatment and relief you need.

Common Toenail Conditions

Our toenails tend to be on the front lines of wherever we move, which can expose them to several painful or unsightly conditions.

Ingrown toenails

A nail becomes ingrown when a corner or edge starts to extend into the skin. This often causes pain, irritation, redness, and swelling.

Ingrown toenails can be the result of tight footwear, improper nail trimming, physical trauma, or simply being born with nails that tend to curve. Most cases are mild and can be treated with conservative measures, but cases that are severe, very painful, might be infected, or keep returning should receive professional care.

Toenail fungus

Fungal toenails are easily recognized by their discolored, thickened, brittle, and crumbly nature. However, early signs of a fungal infection are much milder: often small white dots or streaks that don’t go away and eventually start to grow.

The sooner that a case of toenail fungus is identified and treated, the easier it tends to be to get rid of it. You can also reduce your risk of toenail fungus by protecting your feet in warm, wet areas that receive a lot of foot traffic, such as public showers and locker rooms.

Black toenails

Common in long-distance runners and other athletes, black toenails are typically the result of your toenails repeatedly sliding into or striking the insides of your shoes. This bruises the nailbed and leads to blood pooling beneath the nail.

In rare cases, a black toenail might be an indication of malignant melanoma, so black toenails are always worth checking out and treating, just in case.

Skin Conditions on the Feet

Like our toenails, the skin on our feet can be placed under plenty of stress and exposure as well. This can leave them open to a variety of conditions.

Athlete’s foot

A common fungal infection of the feet, athlete’s foot can be caused by the same types of organisms responsible for fungal toenails.

Over-the-counter antifungal products can treat most cases of red, itchy, burning feet and help prevent the spread of the infection. More severe infections might need professional treatment.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are the result of a viral infection in the upper layers of the skin, leading to the growth of rough, bumpy patches on the feet. Like toenail fungus, plantar warts are often contracted in areas that are damp, warm, and have lots of barefoot traffic.

Plantar warts can be very stubborn and tend not to go away on their own for a very long time. Professional treatment is your best route if you want to get rid of warts sooner than later.

Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses have different physical characteristics, but both are the result of friction against the skin.

Corns are typically conical and have a center that is either softer or harder than the surrounding skin. Calluses, on the other hand, are flatter patches of thickened skin. In either case, the best way to address either problem is to remove the source of friction causing it.

Blisters

Much like corns and calluses, blisters develop as a response to friction. Unlike these other conditions, however, the top layers of skin become separated from the bottom. The space between them fills up with a clear fluid to help provide extra protection.

A blister should remain intact unless it is in an area causing you excess pain or trouble. We can help you treat blisters safely whenever you need extra help.

Dry, cracked skin

Dryness and cracking often develop around the heel (usually due to how much pressure is focused there), but can also appear elsewhere along the feet. Dry, rough skin can not only be unpleasant but can also worsen into painful cracking that increases the likelihood of infection.

Get the Effective Skin and Nail Care You Need

Feet are susceptible to a wide range of potential issues, and your skin and toenails are no exception. The good news is that we’ve not only seen all manners of problems come our way, but have been able to effectively treat them as well.

Do not let skin or nail problems linger for any longer than they must. Schedule an appointment at our Johnstown or Ebensburg offices by giving us a call or filling out our online contact form.

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969 Eisenhower Blvd, Suite K-1
Johnstown, PA 15904
(814) 409-7373

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3133 New Germany Rd, Suite 62
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-2660