Theme - DefaultSeptember 2024
Tuesday, 17 September 2024 00:00
Symptoms and Transmission of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are benign growths that appear on the soles of the feet due to a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. These warts often develop on weight-bearing areas, such as the heels or balls of the feet, that make walking uncomfortable. Symptoms typically include small, rough, and grainy lesions that may have tiny black dots within them. They can also cause pain or discomfort when standing or walking. Plantar warts spread through direct contact with the virus, which thrives in warm, moist environments, like swimming pools or communal showers. The virus enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions. Maintaining good foot hygiene and avoiding walking barefoot in public places can help reduce the risk of contracting and spreading plantar warts. If you have developed a plantar wart, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can treat it accordingly.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
- Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
- Hard or thick callused spots
- Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
- Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing
Treatment
- Freezing
- Electric tool removal
- Laser Treatment
- Topical Creams (prescription only)
- Over-the-counter medications
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Tuesday, 17 September 2024 00:00
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are growths that typically appear on the heels or other weight-bearing areas of the feet. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the body through breaks in the skin, such as cuts, that are on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are more likely to affect children and teenagers, people with weakened immune systems, people who have a history with plantar warts, and people who walk barefoot in environments exposed to a wart-causing virus.
If you suspect you have plantar warts, you may have the following symptoms: pain or tenderness while walking, a lesion that interrupts the ridges in the skin of your foot, small fleshy lesions on the bottom of the foot, or a callus where a wart has grown inward over a well-defined spot on the skin.
HPV causes plantar warts to form and is very common. There are more than 100 kinds of the virus in existence. However, only a few of them cause warts on the feet. The other types of HPV are likely to cause warts on other parts of the body.
If you have plantar warts, your podiatrist may try different treatment methods depending on your specific case. Some treatments for plantar warts are peeling medicines (salicylic acid), freezing medicines (cryotherapy), or surgical procedures. Laser treatments and vaccines are also used to treat plantar warts.
Tuesday, 10 September 2024 00:00
Corns and Calluses
A corn is a lesion that forms in the skin of the foot, and it is typically circular in shape, small in size, and thick and rough in texture. A corn generally occurs as a result of repeated pressure on the skin; one example of this is the rubbing of a shoe against the skin. Corns differ from calluses in that their central cores are harder in texture.
A corn is a relatively common condition with a wide variety of treatment options. If a corn becomes overly uncomfortable or painful, consult with your podiatrist; he can determine the best method of treatment that is appropriate for you. Corns may return if the underlying cause of its development is not treated or removed. Avoid removing corns at home, as improper removal may cause infection.
A callus, similar to a corn, is an area of skin that has become thickened due to repeated pressure and rubbing. The rubbing causes the skin to create a layer of protective skin, which is the formed callus. Calluses can differ in size between people, and they can also become painful.
Multiple treatments are available for calluses. At-home treatment and removal should be avoided, as this can potentially lead to infection. Your podiatrist can best determine the cause of your calluses and suggest the treatment most appropriate for you.
Tuesday, 10 September 2024 00:00
Corns and Calluses on the Feet
Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis, which is a protective response to repeated friction or pressure. Corns, typically found on toes, are small, circular, and often painful. Calluses are larger, less defined, and usually form on weight-bearing areas like the soles of the feet. These conditions arise due to wearing poorly fitting shoes, abnormal gait, or prolonged activities causing excessive pressure on certain foot areas. Prevention includes wearing well-fitted, comfortable shoes and using protective pads or insoles to reduce pressure points. Regularly moisturizing feet can also help to keep the skin supple and less prone to thickening. Relief involves reducing the source of friction and gently filing thickened skin after soaking feet in warm water. If you have severe corns or calluses that are causing excessive pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment for an examination with a podiatrist.
Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Milos Tomich, DPM of Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:
- Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
- Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
- Wearing only shoes that offer support
Treating Corns
Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Tuesday, 03 September 2024 00:00
What is a Podiatrist?
The branch of medicine that is focused on the treatment, diagnosis, and study of disorders of the lower leg, ankle and foot is referred to as podiatry. Because people often spend a great deal of their time on their feet, many problems in this area can occur. A person seeks help from the field of podiatry when they need treatment for heel spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, infections, and problems with the foot that are related to diabetes and additional diseases.
To treat problems of the foot, ankle or lower leg, a podiatrist may prescribe physical therapy, drugs, perform surgery, or set fractures. Individuals may also be recommended to wear corrective shoe inserts, custom-made shoes, plaster casts and strappings in order to correct deformities.
When trying to gather information on a patient problem, a scanner or force plate may be used in order to design orthotics. During this procedure, patients are told to walk across a plate that is connected to a computer; the computer then takes a scan of the foot and indicates weight distribution and pressure points. The computer readouts will give the podiatrist information to help them determine the correct treatment plans.
Diagnosis is also provided through laboratory tests and x-rays. Through the foot, the first signs of serious problems such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis can show up. For example, individuals that have diabetes may frequently have problems such as infections and foot ulcers because they experience poor circulation in the foot area. A podiatrist can then have consultations with patients when symptoms arise. Referrals will then be made to specialists that handle the greater health problems.
Some podiatrists have their own independent, private practices or clinics where they have a small staff and administrative personnel. Many podiatrists work within group practices. They usually spend time performing surgery in ambulatory surgical centers or hospitals, or visit patients in nursing homes. Podiatrists typically spend between 30 to 60 hours of week working. Some podiatrists specialize in public health, orthopedics, surgery, or primary care. Other fields include specialties in geriatrics, dermatology, pediatrics, diabetic foot care and sports medicine.
Some podiatrist specialists complete extra training in the area of foot and ankle reconstruction that results from the effects of physical trauma or diabetes. There are also surgeons that perform surgery of a cosmetic nature to correct bunions and hammertoes.
Tuesday, 03 September 2024 00:00
Reasons to Visit a Podiatrist
Foot, ankle, or toe pain can significantly impact your daily life, making even simple tasks challenging. For instance, runners often experience stress fractures or Achilles tendon pain, which a podiatrist can treat through diagnostic testing and appropriate treatment. Arthritis in the feet and ankles can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain, but a podiatrist can suggest treatments to maintain joint health and improve mobility. Diabetic patients should see a podiatrist regularly to manage foot health and prevent serious complications. Persistent heel pain, whether from heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, requires professional diagnosis and treatment to restore comfort and function. Ingrown toenails, if left untreated, can lead to painful infections that a podiatrist can effectively address. Injuries like sprains, strains, or fractures also necessitate a visit to a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis. Conditions such as corns, calluses, bunions, and athlete’s foot can be managed with the expertise of a podiatrist, relieving pain and preventing further problems. If you are experiencing foot, ankle, or toe pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment options.
If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact Milos Tomich, DPM from Dr. Tomich Foot & Ankle Health Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.
What Do Podiatrists Do?
On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:
- Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
- Use innovative methods to treat conditions
- Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
- Correct walking patterns and balance
- Provide individual consultations to patients
It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, WI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
