Common Foot Problems

Common Podiatric Problems
By Dr. Brian Richman

Fungal Toenails (Onychomycosis) and Athlete's Feet (Tinea Pedis) are common podiatric medical problems. Fungus can appear in many places, especially in a dark, moist humid environment like your shoes and socks. Fungal toenails and athlete's feet can be treated effectively, especially with medications available today. Anyone can get fungal toenails and / or athlete's feet, but is most common in athlete's, the elderly, immunocompromised patients and young people.

Skin is a natural barrier and a protection against harmful bacteria, fungus and viruses. Occasionally, natural resistance is lowered by disease or medical problems. Athlete's feet is a fungal infection that appears on the skin and is commonly contracted by walking barefoot on floors where the fungus is present (public showers, pools, locker rooms). Usually there is a break in the skin that allows the fungus to grow. Shoes and socks are also good breeding grounds for athlete's feet.

Signs and symptoms of athlete's feet include inflammation, skin irritation, itching, burning, pain, odor, dry flaky skin, blisters, swelling and scaling. Treatment includes washing and drying feet carefully, not scratching feet which could make Athlete's feet worse, foot powder to help keep feet dry, drying agents, steroid creams for inflamed areas, and prescription or over the counter anti-fungal medications including creams, ointments and lotions.

Hyperhydrosis, or sweaty feet, can pave the way for fungus growth. Foot odor and athlete's feet are common signs of Hyperhydrosis. Treatment includes keeping feet clean and dry, antiperspirant powder, spray, or roll on and changing socks frequently.

Fungus that appears in toenails can cause discoloration, nail separation, detachment, lifting of the nail, thickening, malformation of the toenail, pain, difficulty in cutting nails, shoe pressure, and ulcers. This fungus can involve all the toenail or partial involvement of the nail. Usually the big toenails are affected the most. Treatment includes debridement, trimming of toenails, prescription (oral and / or topical anti-fungal medication), or removal of painful toenail by temporary or permanent means. Recently new oral anti-fungal medications have made great advances in the treatment of fungus infections. Problems with these new medications include the cost of the drugs and possible liver side effects. Ask a physician what treatment might be best for individual needs.