Your feet are just as important as any other part of your body. Therefore, it is crucial you take care of your feet. Some conditions of the feet are so common that most people think these are normal or can be treated with time especially when the problem has to do with the skin on your feet. There are over-the-counter treatment products that have worked for patients in the past. However, when the skin condition does not get better or the condition gets worse, it is time to schedule an appointment with your local Podiatrist.

Here are six common skin conditions of the feet:

1. Verruca or Plantar Warts: This condition is a live virus that resides in the upper layer of the skin. Some over-the-counter topical acids or wart bandaids have been used to cure this, but if the wart returns or doesn't go away, making an appointment is crucial to prevent numerous warts from occurring. The "How to remove a plantar wart procedure" video shows exactly how the wart would be removed if acid does not work. If you are unsure if you have a plantar wart, check out our video that explains the symptoms of plantar warts.

2. Athlete's Foot Infection or Tinea Pedis: This skin condition loves moist, warm areas of the body and you tend to see this around athletes (hence the name). Saunas, pool areas, athlete's shoes, and hot showers are common places for Athlete's Foot to appear.

3. Xerosis: This skin condition is diagnosed when a patient has low moisture in the skin. This can lead to painful cracks, especially on your heels.

4. Fungal Toenails or Onychomycosis: This condition is diagnosed when a patient has thickened, discolored, and flaky toenails. You have have toenail fungus on only one toenail, a few toenails, one foot, or all your toenails. This just depends on the severity of your toenail fungus. Dr. Neuhaus discusses the options for toenail fungus and how it can be treated in our YouTube video.

5. Calluses and Corns (Pressure Hyperkeratosis): This skin condition tends to form at areas of the foot where there is pressure against shoes. One of the most common reasons for this includes bone deformities like Bunions, or Hammertoes.

6. Ingrown Toenails or Paronychia: This toenail infection has several causes. A simple procedure is done in the office that will remove the ingrown toenail and help prevent the toenail from becoming infected again.

Your toenails are just as important as your foot or any other part of your body. This is because your toenails can alert your doctor of the beginning or several conditions. For example, toenails that are hollow instead of being rounded can indicate an iron deficiency or anemia. Increased nail thickness, or bumps on the nail, can be psoriasis, a skin disease. Your foot doctor will check your toenails to make sure they are healthy. Healthy nails are pink, free of dirt,  and grow into the grooves normally. Your podiatrist can give you a variety of treatment options for any and all your toenail problems. Common conditions of your toenails include ingrown toenails, thickened nails, fungal infections, other infections, and trauma.

Who gets nail problems?

All ages of people can go through changes with their toenails including thick, brittle, curved, discolored, infected, and grooved nails. As you grow older, you are more likely to develop toenail problems because you are prone to have poor circulation.

What causes nail problems?

Toenail problems can be caused by warts, tumors under the nail bed, infection, or poor circulation. One major cause to problems are incorrectly fitting shoes that press too tightly on the toenails. Another major cause is injury to the nail that causes bruising or an infection. This can cause permanent nail deformity.

** If you have any sudden changes in color or shape of your nail, sign of infection, freckles develop under then nail, or you have pain, call our office at (615) 220-8788 or request an appointment online. For more information about nail problems, visit our website at www.neufoot.com.

The summer is the worst time of year when it comes to wearing improper shoes. Most sandals have no support or a very little amount and this can lead to foot problems. Also, it is vital to make sure that your shoes correctly fit your feet. These two tips are primary components to overall foot care. Poor fitting shoes can lead to blisters, bruising, ingrown toenails and other foot problems. You want your shoes to fit properly so you can avoid these complications.

When you are shopping for a new pair of shoes, the most important factor is that your size is not the same from shoe to shoe. The size of your shoes varies from one style or manufacture to the next. Therefore, you may wear a womens size 8 running shoe, but you may need to wear a size 7 or 9 dress shoe.  One more helpful hit when comparing the same shoe style , a half size larger will be 1/6 inch longer and a width wider will be 1/16 inch wider at the ball of your foot and a total of 1/8 inch wider in circumference. Then, you need to look at the support the shoe gives you. In Middle Tennessee this week, the temperature outside has been nothing but HOT and every one wears sandals or flip-flops. Sadly, most do not have support but we found you the right kind of flip-flops for the summer. Chacos, Dansko, FitFlop Sandals and Orthaheel Sandals are among the recommended list for supportive sandals that are great for your feet.

www.apma.org has more information on helpful hits to help with proper fitting shoes as well as shoes with great support for walking, running, or just because. If you need have noticed any of the above foot complications, call our office at (615) 220-8788 or request an appointment online. You can also learn more information about different conditions at www.neufoot.com.

Beginning March 2011, Neuhaus Foot & Ankle opened a second location at the new TriStar Medical Plaza in Brentwood, TN in Suite 220. The building is located on the corner of Nolensville Rd and Concord Rd by the Kroger and Publix plazas. Dr. Neuhaus is available to see patients in our Brentwood location on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 - 4:00pm. Dr. Knox is available in Brentwood on Friday mornings from 8:00am to 11:00am for appointments. 

Both Dr. Neuhaus and Dr. Knox treat children and adults for all foot and ankle problems including, Achilles problems, Achilles Tendonitis, Ankle Sprains and Fractures, Foot Pain, Toe problems, arch and ball of foot problems, Bunions, common foot injuries, foot and ankle deformities, Diabetic foot problems, corns and calluses, toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, Athlete's Foot, Heel pain or Plantar Fasciitis, warts, ulcers, neuromas, vascular disorders of the foot, puncture wounds, and any other problems associated with the foot and/or ankle.

Please feel free to call our office at (615) 220-8788 or request an appointment online at www.neufoot.com.  Our address is 6716 Nolensville Rd. Suite 220, Brentwood, TN 37027.

Starting August 2009, Dr. Neuhaus is now:

Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
Board Certified in Foot Surgery
Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery

Congratulations to Dr. Neuhaus on this great accomplishment!!!