Posts for tag: infection
“Color me happy,” “Cajun Shrimp,” “Italian Love Affair” all of these are nail polish colors. Fantastic names! Oh, so alluring and adorable. However, what if they were named “Fungus Among Us” or “Love that Bacteria” or “Shades of Virus?” Nail salons are toted in some literature to give an infection to seventy percent of people that visit them. That means that more than most leave with pretty toes and a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. There are several places that an infection can be transferred, so you can minimize your risk and enjoy your pedicure. First, make sure the place itself looks clean. Is the floor clean? Are the stations well-maintained? Make sure the foot bath stations are cleaned after each person and if there is dirt or debris in the bath, insist it be cleaned. Take your own instruments and nail polish as this will prevent you from getting or spreading an infection…it’s important that we all take measures to prevent infection. Keep in mind that it is illegal to use sharps or debride (remove) skin in these places, so speak up if a razor blade, scalpel or scraping instruments are being used to remove callus or rough skin. Unfortunately, the proper way to trim toenails is different than the way to trim fingernails and consequently the nail can become ingrown. This begins the cycle of getting an ingrown and getting another pedicure to treat it. Usually, once the nail has started to become ingrown, eventually it will result in pain and/or pain and infection. This should be treated immediately by your podiatrist and not by the nail salon personnel. If you see changes in your toenail including discoloration, thickening or lifting you should at minimum remove all nail polish and stop getting pedicures for a month or so. Then, perhaps a different place should be sought. Some discoloration may be from chronic nail polish or nail polish that contains formaldehyde. Allow your nails some time to return to normal and then seek your podiatrist’s help in determining if you have an infection of the nail or have had trauma to the nail that will affect its appearance. You can now get nail polish without formaldehyde and with antifungal in it at our clinic. An arrangement of gorgeous, cleverly named colors are available for purchase without an appointment. So stop by on your way to your next pedicure!
Foot ulcers are the most common reason people with diabetes are hospitalized. Foot ulcers are sores on feet that involve just the skin’s surface or they can develop into more serious wounds, which may lead to bone infections. Leg and foot ulcers are especially a problem for people with nerve damage, with vascular concerns, atherosclerosis, and sickle cell anemia. However, diabetes is the most common cause of ulcers.
Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing an ulcer for two main reasons. The first is peripheral neuropathy. This common complication of diabetes is a general loss of feeling. The nerves lose their ability to detect pain, heat, and cold. If the foot is injured, nerve damage may prevent from noticing the damage. Poor circulation is the other main reason diabetics develop ulcers. Blood increases in thickness, slowing its flow, therefore, causing poor circulation.
A foot ulcer appears like a red sore, most commonly found on the ball of the foot or under the big toe. If the wound is infected, pus and a bad odor typically occur. It is important to see a podiatrist as soon as an ulcer is noticed. Untreated foot ulcers can progress into gangrene and may lead to amputation. Treatment for foot ulcers depend on the severity of the wound. It typically involves debridement, off-loading, and dressings. Debridement is the process of removing dead skin and tissue. Off-loading uses pads or special shoes to take pressure off the ulcer area. Proper dressing and bandages are important to protect the area and provide an optimal healing environment. Ulcers may take weeks or even several months to heal. This depends on the general health of the patient and the severity of the wound.
To have your feet evaluated for foot ulcers or any other painful foot and ankle condition call 843-449-FOOT.
Diabetes Awareness
Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic leg and foot amputations? Or that these amputations and complications can be prevented? With proper foot care from the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates the effects of this disease can be managed and treated. Podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.
Diabetes has four main types including prediabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has a great website at diabetes.org that highlights the different types and symptoms of each. A diabetic foot ulcer is one symptom that may occur in each type. An ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 20% of people with diabetes. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk to develop these open wounds. People on insulin, overweight, using alcohol and tobacco, or have diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart disease are at an increased risk to develop ulcers. Ulcers form to a combination of factors such as a lack of feeling, poor circulation, bone deformities, friction, trauma, pressure, and longstanding diabetes.
Once an ulcer is noticed, it is important to see a podiatrist right away. Having medical treatment will reduce the risk of infection and amputation, improve pain and discomfort, and reduce future costs. The goal of ulcer treatment is to reach healing as fast as possible. To speed the recovery process, a podiatrist will attempt to prevent infection, take pressure off the area, remove dead skin and tissue, apply bandages, and manage other health problems. It cannot be stressed how important it is to see a podiatrist like those at Coastal Podiatry Associates as soon as an ulcer is noticed to have the fastest healing.
By Dr. Joseph Menn