Items filtered by date: September 2024

Fungal toenail infections in kids, also known as onychomycosis, occur when fungi grow in or under the nail, leading to discoloration, thickening, and brittleness. These infections thrive in warm and moist environments, making locker rooms, public pools, and tight-fitting shoes common sources of exposure. Children with weakened immune systems or those prone to athlete’s foot are more susceptible to fungal infections. If your child develops a fungal toenail infection, maintaining proper foot hygiene is essential. Keep their feet clean and dry, and ensure they wear breathable shoes and change socks regularly.  If your child’s toenail becomes painful or if multiple nails are affected, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

For more information about treatment, contact Arnold Farbstein, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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 Arnold Farbstein, DPM from Texas. 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 our office located in Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle sprains can result in various symptoms that require attention, especially if the injury is severe. Typically, those individuals with a sprained ankle will experience sharp, localized pain that worsens with joint movement or when bearing weight on the affected foot. This pain often coincides with noticeable swelling, which may be more pronounced, depending on which ligament is injured. Bruising surrounding the sprain site is common, with discoloration ranging from reddish to purplish hues. These signs indicate torn ligaments and the presence of blood pooling in the area. In severe cases, individuals might hear or feel a pop at the time of injury, signaling a significant tear. This can also result in a restricted range of motion, making it difficult or even impossible to flex or move the foot normally. If you have severe ankle pain, it is suggested that you make an emergency appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Arnold Farbstein, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery offers significant benefits compared to traditional open surgery. This approach involves making smaller incisions, which allows surgeons to correct deformities or address injuries with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues. The reduced trauma to the foot and ankle leads to less postoperative pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery times. One of the major advantages of minimally invasive surgery is the quicker return to normal activities, as patients often experience shorter recovery periods and fewer complications, like infections or wound healing issues. Additionally, this technique minimizes the impact on the patient’s overall foot structure, preserving more of the natural anatomy and reducing the need for extensive rehabilitation. If you are facing the need for foot or ankle surgery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to see if a minimally invasive surgical technique is correct for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Arnold Farbstein, DPM of Texas. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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