Are you one of the lucky people with beautiful flip-flop feet? You know who we’re talking about—people who can wear sandals or go barefoot with no worry about being embarrassed by ugly toenails, stinky feet, calluses, or warts. If you’re like the millions of Americans who are not so lucky, we invite you to educate yourself about what your condition might be and what treatments are available to end your suffering. Once you have the information you need, call our office to find out how we can help.

Common Toenail and Skin Conditions We Treat

It’s great to be a do-it-yourselfer around the house, but it’s usually not a good idea to take the same approach to treating a toenail or skin problem. You can find over-the-counter medicines at the drug store for almost every toenail or skin condition under the sun, but that doesn’t mean they will work. At Hermiston Family Foot Clinic, we get to the root of the problem to resolve it once and for all. Conditions we frequently treat in our clinic include:

  • Ingrown toenails. Caused by a segment of the nail that embeds in the skin around the nail, an ingrown toenail can become infected and very painful if it is left untreated. We can treat the infection and the ingrown toenail, and we can also advise you on how to prevent it from recurring.
  • Fungal toenails. Thick, yellow toenails are a sign of a fungal infection that will not go away without treatment. The earlier it is treated, the better, but we often don’t see patients until the nail is causing pain and irritation. At that point, there are several effective treatments we can try in the office.
  • Plantar warts. Plantar warts are stubborn growths on the bottom of your feet. They don’t really resemble warts that occur in other locations. Instead, they often present as a rough, discolored circular area that may be grown over with tough skin by the time you notice it is there. Plantar warts can spread and multiply across the foot and to other people. Over-the-counter treatments are rarely effective, but we offer prescriptions and other procedures that will eliminate the problems.
  • Athlete’s foot. Caused by a fungus that is often picked up in a locker room or shared bathroom, athlete’s foot can usually be treated at home. If it becomes widespread and infected, however, you will likely need a doctor’s intervention.
  • Calluses. Calluses are the body’s way of protecting itself from excessive pressure and friction. This can be caused by certain shoes or the particular activities you participate in. If you have a bunion, hammertoe, or another foot deformity, you might also experience painful calluses. We offer treatments to soothe calluses and padding to reduce pain, but we will also address the cause of the callus to try to eliminate it permanently.
  • Sweaty, stinky feet. Excessive perspiration can make your feet slip around in your shoes and can cause unpleasant odors that can be embarrassing. Talk to our team about treatments for sweaty feet.

You might think of a toenail or skin condition as merely a cosmetic problem, but when fungus, bacteria, growths, sores, and swelling are left unchecked, they can develop into a much more serious problem. A callus or plantar wart can actually affect the way you walk, which could lead to ankle, knee, and back problems. Prompt, regular care by a podiatrist can prevent the worst outcomes and give you back the beautiful feet you were born with.

Experienced, Compassionate Care

Your toenail or skin condition might be causing you embarrassment, but there is no reason to feel embarrassed in our office. After nearly 30 years of practice, trust us when we say we have seen it all! Dr. Carlson and his whole team at Hermiston Family Foot Clinic are dedicated to providing the best possible care to relieve your discomfort and get you back to work and recreation. If you are experiencing an unsightly or irritating toenail or skin problem, contact our office to schedule an appointment and get ready to show off your feet in sandals again!