Millions of people in America will have at least one bout with nail fungus in their lifetime. Infections are said to occur more in adults over 40 due to structural changes in toenails, and athletes whose feet spend a lot of time confined in damp socks and shoes. If a family member has toenail fungus, that can increase your chance of infection as well. At best, toenail fungus is unsightly and embarrassing. At worst, it may lead to bacterial infections in people with circulatory issues, diabetes, or immune system disorders. You can lower your risk of contracting toenail fungus by wearing flip-flops in locker rooms and communal showers, keeping your toenails trimmed and injury-free, letting your feet air out after being in stuffy athletic shoes, and never sharing toenail clippers or other foot care instruments with anyone. To help clear up your toenail fungus as quickly as possible, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can utilize a variety of treatments to rid your toenails from those pesky keratin-eating fungi.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dale Delaney, DPM of InStride Kinston Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Symptoms
Treatment
If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.
Prevention
In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.
In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kinston, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Foot ulcers are open wounds that may be clearly visible or hidden beneath hardened skin or dead tissue. They can occur on the bottom or sides of the foot, or on the top or tip of the toes, and range in severity from surface wounds to deep craters that may expose tendons and bones. Left undetected and untreated, they may become infected and escalate to a serious health issue. In the worst cases, foot ulcers may even lead to amputation. Discovering and healing ulcers can be challenging for those with diabetes. Increased levels of glucose in the blood may cause nerve damage and poor circulation, which may decrease your ability to detect and heal ulcers. Along with treating other foot and ankle issues, podiatrists can provide proper diabetic foot ulcer care through a variety of treatments, medicines, and procedures.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dale Delaney, DPM from InStride Kinston Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kinston, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!
Bunions—a very common foot disorder—are bony protrusions on the joint of the big toe, which cause it to point towards the second toe. Bunions can be very painful and are often genetic, or caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. Bunionettes, or tailor’s bunions, are a form of bunion that appears on the outside of the pinky toe. Bunions and bunionettes are painful, and can cause swelling, redness, and soreness around the joint, along with limited range of movement. Bunions that are left untreated can cause deformities or misalignments in the foot and may require surgery to correct. One of the best ways to prevent bunions and bunionettes from forming is to wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes with a rounded toe-box, which will allow plenty of room for your toes to spread out and move freely. Contact a podiatrist who can offer preventative measures against bunions, or treat them successfully if they do form.
If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dale Delaney, DPM of InStride Kinston Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.
Causes
Symptoms
In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kinston, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
There are two types of pes planus, or flatfoot: flexible flatfoot and rigid flatfoot. For an individual with flexible flatfoot, their arches are normal when they are sitting or on their tiptoes, but collapse when they stand. With rigid flatfoot, the arch of the foot remains flattened despite the foot’s position. Flexible flatfoot in children is normal because arches usually develop between the ages of 7-10. Flexible flatfoot that does not go away as an adult is usually due to heredity and—like childhood flexible flatfoot—can be asymptomatic with no need for treatment. Rigid flatfoot in either children, teens, or adults can be indicative of a structural issue or misalignment due to a congenital disorder or injury and should be examined and treated by a podiatrist.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dale Delaney, DPM from InStride Kinston Podiatry Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Are Flat Feet?
Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms
Treatment
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Kinston, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
