Why is foot care important?
Your feet are an essential part of your overall health. Problems such as sore feet affect your day-to-day activity, your job, and your mood. Many conditions, such as hammertoe or ingrown toenails, can progress from a minor annoyance to severe pain if you don’t get early treatment. Foot pain makes general physical activity, even walking, much more difficult and contributes to a sedentary lifestyle.
The importance of foot care becomes even greater if you have a health condition, such as diabetes or gout. General podiatry care is critical to prevent serious complications like foot ulcers and infection.
What general podiatry services are available?
At Permian Basin Foot and Ankle, you receive comprehensive care for your feet. The team offers the latest treatments, which are personalized based on your condition.
Some general podiatry services include:
Nail fungus removal
Nail fungus penetrates the skin under your toenail and can easily spread across your toes. It's characterized by yellowing, thick, crumbling nails. Treatment includes oral medication and topical creams. In stubborn cases, you may be eligible for laser treatment, or surgery to remove the infected part of the nail.
Wart removal
Warts on the balls and heels of your feet are usually harmless but can cause pain as you walk or run and look unattractive. Often they go away on their own, but if they're bothersome, seek care to have them frozen off or excised.
Ingrown toenail treatment
When the corners or sides of your toenail dig painfully into your skin, you have an ingrown toenail. You might develop an ingrown toenail because of improper nail trimming, fungal infections, and/or shoe pressure. The team at Permian Basin Foot and Ankle can help you with treatments to resolve an ingrown toenail. A simple in-office procedure can remove the offending part of the nail.
Athlete’s foot treatment
Athlete’s foot is a fungus that affects your feet. You might pick it up in a public shower or a pool deck. Simple over-the-counter treatments resolve mild cases, but if you have one that is serious, the team offers prescription medications to help you find relief from the unpleasant itching.
What other conditions might require podiatric care?
The skilled podiatrists at Permian Basin Foot and Ankle provide comprehensive care for the foot and ankle needs of people of all ages, from children to older adults. In addition to the aforementioned conditions, the team also treats:
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
- Bunions and hammertoe
- Sports injuries, such as ankle sprains, foot and ankle fractures, and Achilles tendonitis
- Flat feet or high arches
- Diabetic feet
- Corns and callouses
- Skin rashes or other conditions
- Warts
The doctors provide custom orthotics to restore proper feet alignment, if necessary, to correct or prevent injury. They also offer in-office noninvasive vascular testing.
Don’t hesitate to contact Permian Basin Foot and Ankle to learn more about treatment for foot and ankle problems or preventive care.
How can I keep my feet healthy?
Good foot care and early intervention help keep your feet healthy. Good foot care and hygiene include:
- Washing your feet daily and drying them thoroughly
- Choosing proper footwear
- Wearing clean, dry socks daily
- Trimming your toenails straight across
- Putting on shower shoes when in public wet areas
If you notice any problems with your feet, schedule a general podiatry appointment at Permian Basin Foot and Ankle. Call one of the convenient locations or book an appointment online.
