Items filtered by date: November 2023

Diabetes can harm the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, reducing your ability to feel injuries. Minor foot problems like calluses, blisters, or cracks can develop into serious foot ulcers, often on the ball of the foot or under the big toe. These ulcers can become infected and lead to gangrene, potentially requiring the amputation of toes, parts of the foot, or even the leg. If you have a foot ulcer, it is vital to keep weight off the affected area to aid healing. For diabetics, early treatment of foot issues is crucial to prevent them from worsening. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you make routine appointments with a podiatrist to make sure your foot health is properly managed.

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 Jill Scholz, DPM from Town Square Family Foot Care. 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 Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails can be a painful and bothersome foot condition, but they are often preventable with proper care and understanding of their causes. This troublesome malady occurs when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, redness, and potential infection. One common cause of ingrown toenails is improper nail trimming. Cutting the nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage the nail to grow into the skin. Wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes that put pressure on the toes is another contributing factor, as it can force the nail to grow abnormally. To prevent ingrown toenails, it is important to trim the nails straight across and not too short. Wearing well-fitted, comfortable shoes that can provide enough room for your toes may also help to prevent this painful condition. Additionally, maintaining good foot hygiene and protecting your toes can go a long way in preventing the development of ingrown toenails. If you have developed this ailment, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can offer treatment options that are right for you.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Jill Scholz, DPM of Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Laser therapy uses focused light to destroy toenail fungus, preventing it from spreading or getting worse. This type of treatment has evolved since the 1980s with various lasers now in use, affecting the success rate for different individuals. Laser treatment can be particularly useful for individuals who cannot take certain medications due to liver or kidney problems, in addition to people with diabetes, and older adults who might not tolerate drugs well. Early treatment of toenail fungus is advised by the CDC to stop the spread of the infection and ensure better results. If not treated, the fungus may spread beyond the toenails. If you have toenail fungus, particularly if it does not resolve with more conservative treatment, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss whether laser treatment may be an option worth considering.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Jill Scholz, DPM from Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Itchy feet can be a bothersome issue, but they are often mild and temporary. Common symptoms associated with itchy feet include the formation of crust as a wound heals, and flaky or peeling skin due to extreme dryness, rashes, redness, warmth, and swelling. Sometimes, itchy feet can lead to pus-filled blisters or general tenderness and discomfort. In certain circumstances having itchy feet may necessitate a visit to a podiatrist, such as if you develop oozing blisters or feel a worm-like tingling sensation in your feet. Persistent itching that lasts for more than two weeks or recurrent flare-ups may signal a more serious issue. If the itching spreads to other areas of your body, it's probably a good idea to consult a podiatrist. In some cases, itchy feet can be a sign of underlying health problems. For instance, swelling in the legs, arms, and stomach, yellowish skin or eyes, or reduced urinary output could indicate kidney or liver issues. When these symptoms are present alongside itchy feet, it may be an indicator of potential systemic concerns. If you experience persistent or recurring foot itching, especially if it spreads to other areas of your body and occurs during pregnancy or menopause, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a complete examination and suggestions for treatment. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Jill Scholz, DPM from Town Square Family Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Coralville, IA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.