Embarrassing Feet, Skin and nail issues, and Fungal Toenail Issues visiting Roanoke Podiatrist Podiatrists treat a number of foot and ankle problems. Some of these can be painful or affect mobility. Other issues, like corns or ingrown toenails, may be more cosmetic. If you’re embarrassed to show your feet in sandals, a podiatrist can help. Skin and toenail issues are common. You don’t need to hide your feet in socks and closed-toe shoes. Walk in confidence this summer with help from a Roanoke podiatrist.

Embarrassed to Show Your Feet at the Beach?

Especially as summer rolls around, you may not want to feel restricted as to the shoes you wear because you are embarrassed to show your feet. This could be true at the beach, or simply wearing open-toe sandals for a stroll to the coffee shop. When you are dealing with podiatric skin and nail issues, you may feel ashamed to show off your feet.

Regular visits with an experienced podiatrist in Virginia can help keep your feet and toenails looking and feeling their best. Perhaps you have corns and calluses that you’d like to remove. Maybe your toenails are yellowing and cracked. At Shenandoah Podiatry, we treat a variety of skin and nail issues.

From the beach to the patio, you’ll feel confident showing your feet with the right treatment plan.

Common Podiatric Skin and Nail Issues

You may feel hesitant to wear sandals and show off your feet for a number of reasons. Some of the most common podiatric skin and nail issues include:

  • Fungal nail infections. This can start as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of the toenail. It can then spread to thicken, crumble or discolor the toenail.
  • Athlete’s foot. This fungal skin infection most commonly starts between the toes. You may see redness or itchy white patches. The skin on your feet may crack, flake or even bleed.
  • Ingrown toenails. Toenails that begin to grow back into the skin can be a health risk. Proper toenail maintenance can help prevent this from happening.
  • Plantar warts. These can form when human papillomavirus (HPV) type 1 enters the skin. Plantar warts appear as small, rough growths, usually on the balls and heels of the feet.
  • Corns and calluses. Hardened layers of skin can form because of friction. Left untreated, they can grow larger, become infected, and even cause nerve damage.
  • Toenail trauma. If you’ve ever stubbed your toe on the leg of a table, you may have damaged your toenail. It may have even fallen off completely. A podiatrist can help your toenail heal back in a healthy way.
  • Dry skin and cracked heels. The skin around the heel can get dry for many reasons. Increased friction and open-back shoes are common causes. It can also be a sign of diabetes. It’s important to keep your feet well moisturized.
  • Eczema or psoriasis. These skin conditions are characterized by dry patches. They can affect any part of the body. But, areas with increased sweat, like the soles of feet or the backs of knees, can be especially prone.

Treatment Options and Regular Maintenance For Skin and Nail Issues

An experienced podiatrist can help with your skin and toenail issues on two fronts. First, we can offer a number of treatment options for current issues. Second, we can offer support and guidance for ongoing maintenance. Regular visits are how you will keep your feet and nails in tip-top shape. Examples of available treatments include:

  • Remove ingrown toenails safely and painlessly
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription topical creams and sprays
  • Advanced laser therapy for fungal toenail infections
  • Antifungal oral medications that get past the physical barrier
  • Surgery for more extreme fungal infections
  • Thinning out corns and calluses safely
  • Acute wound care to encourage healthy healing
  • Advice on how best to care for your skin and toenails