Author: yomi

Toenail fungus is caused by mold or yeast, which affects the fingernails and toenails. Yeast infections occur on fingernails and it affects 3 to 12% of the population, but more prevalent in older people. Fungal nail infection causes the nails to be brittle and change color. Mild conditions might need self-care steps and treatment. If the nail fungus is painful and the nails have thickened, you will need medical attention.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

• Brownish or whitish-yellow nail discolorations.
• Thick and brittle and crumbly nails.
• Change in the shape of the nail.
• The affected part of the nail detaches from the nail bed.
• Dark colors due to debris build under the nail.
• Slightly smells foul.

Risk factors which leave one susceptible to foot fungus infections include:

1. Athlete’s foot
2. Contact with infectious fungi surfaces in saunas or swimming pools.
3. Tight shoes
4. Various skin conditions
5. Damaged nails
6. Poor circulation in the legs for people with diabetes or peripheral artery disease.
7. A weak immune system due to sickness or medications that suppresses the system.
8. Genetic predisposition
9. Moisture for people who sweat heavily.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Fungal nail infections are treated depending on the severity and the type of fungus causing the condition. A podiatrist determines this by scraping off some of the affected areas and sending it to the lab. The doctor may prescribe antifungal drugs for application or taking orally. Sometimes a combination of topical antifungal therapies and oral therapies works best.

Looking for toe fungus treatment Houston? To get expert advice on foot and ankle issues, you may want to seek help from the best doctor for nail fungus in Houston. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment for your toenail fungus treatment. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

1. Oral antifungal drugs are usually the first choice because of their ability to clear infections quickly than topical drugs. The drugs help the nail to grow slowly replacing the infected nail. Usually administered for six to 12 weeks, though the results usually visible later, after the nail grows completely. Higher success rates are noticed in people less than 65 years of age.
   1. Side effects include skin rash and rare cases of liver damage. So multiple blood tests are administered to monitor how the drugs are working. These are not advisable for people with congestive heart failure or liver disease.
2. A topical nail lacquer (Ciclopirox). It is a medicated nail polish which is prescribed by the doctor. The nails are painted once a day for seven days, then wipe the layers with alcohol and start afresh application. This is used for almost a year.
3. Antifungal medicated cream rubbed into the nails after soaking. The creams are more effective on thin nails; the medication gets through the hard nail surface to the fungus. To thin the nails, apply a lotion containing urea or have a doctor thin the surface of the nail.
4. Laser treatment which removes damaged areas of the skin or nail.
5. In some cases, the doctor might recommend surgery for foot fungus removal.

Self-care

Use soap and water to wash the feet and dry using a clean towel, dry well between the toes. Keep the toenails shorter by trimming across and keep the ends shorter. Wash the tools you use on your feet and wipe them clean with rubbing alcohol. Avoid nail polish because it will cover the affected nails and avoid the fungus from going away.

Immediately you notice white markings, use over the counter antifungal creams. Thin and trim the nails to reduce pressure on the nails. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our foot fungus specialist can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot blister related issues.

Blisters on feet occur for different reasons, they vary in size and location. A blister is a small pocket of clear fluid in the upper layer of the skin, in an area of the body. Blister on toe or the foot can interfere with everyday tasks like walking, standing and exercising. There are home treatments that relieve the discomfort of the foot blister.

Causes of blisters on feet

• Sometimes one puts pressure on the feet with long hours of standing and walking which leaves you susceptible to blisters on the feet. A friction blister is caused by poorly fitting shoes; too loose and too tight-fitting shoes rub against the skin.
• Excess perspiration or moisture triggers the blisters, especially during warm seasons.
• Dyshidrotic eczema – a skin condition that has blisters develop on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. The blisters are itchy and last two to four weeks. You are at a greater risk of Dyshidrotic eczema if you have high levels of emotional or physical stress.
• Allergic reactions
• Fungal infections
• Exposure to chemical products such as detergents or cosmetics.
• Frostbite
• Bacterial infection
• Chickenpox
• Herpes

Some blisters resolve within a few days, but some cause severe pain preventing walking and standing. If you are looking for some expert advice on foot blisters, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston podiatrist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Home treatment

That pocket of water is very uncomfortable and tempting, especially because you feel the need to pick or burst it. Open blisters could lead to infections, so they should be left alone to harden and disappear.

Soak your feet in cool water or apply cold compresses to reduce itchiness, at least two times a day for 15 minutes each time.

Then apply rich moisturizers such as petroleum jelly, heavy creams, soaking with witch hazel, mineral oil, or ointment.

If the blisters are because of eczema you might need to change your diet to avoid flare-ups. Consult your doctor for advice on what to take and what not to take.

Blister Treatment

1. If the blister is not popped cover it loosely covered with a bandage or leave it uncovered. If the blister is at the bottom of the foot, relieve the pressure on it by putting donut-shaped moleskin.
2. For a popped blister wash gently with warm water and soap. Do not use iodine, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Level down the skin, then apply antibiotic ointment to the area. With a sterile bandage cover the area loosely.

When to drain a blister

If a blister is painful, or large or in an awkward position it can be drained. First part of the blister treatement includes, washing your hands with antibacterial soap, then use a clean cotton swab dipped in an antiseptic to clean the blister. Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and make a small hole at the edge of the blister. Gently squeeze the fluid out then wash the area again and pat dry. Leave the skin on and apply ointment and cover with a sterile bandage. Ensure you clean and reapply antibacterial ointment daily until it heals.

Daily care

Change the bandage daily or if it gets wet and dirty. Avoid situations that caused the blisters and avoid wearing shoes to ease the pressure. If you notice signs of infections such as red streaks leading away from the blisters, pus, swollen lymph glands, increased swelling and pain, fever, and if it is more than 10 years since you got your tetanus, seek medical help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our Houston foot doctor can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot blister related issues.

A wound is considered non-healing if it is not cured within three months or it remains in the inflammatory stage for long. However, some factors determine the healing such as the condition of the wound or the health of an individual.  If a wound does not heal fast a specialist should look at it because sometimes it is a reflection of an underlying disease. An external wound is painful with visible redness around the skin due to the disintegration of the tissue; there could be loss of the epidermis, dermis and sometimes subcutaneous fat. Types of wounds include cuts, scrapes, lacerations, abrasions, gashes, scratches, tears, floor burns, and bruises.

Stages of wound healing

Stage I: Inflammatory stage, which is the first stage of the wound formation and it, attempts to restore normal state by forming blood vessels to control bleeding. At this stage, the wound appears red, swollen and is warm.

Stage II: The proliferative stage lasts about 3 weeks or longer depending on the severity of the wound. This is granulation where special cells known as fibroblasts make collagen fill the wound. New blood vessels start to form and a layer of skin gradually covers the wound.

Stage III: Remodeling and maturation stage can last up to two years. New collagen changes the skin around the wound forming a scar that is almost as strong as the original tissue.

Causes of nonhealing wounds

1. Infections by bacteria colonization which slows down the healing process of the wound.
2. Excess use of antibiotics has been cited as a problem leading to non-healing wounds.
3. Microbiology such as arterial insufficiency, pressure and venous insufficiency that reduces the capacity of the skin to repair itself causing a non-healing wound.

Wound care treatment

Wound treatment is effective because it promotes wound healing and reduces the risk of infection.  If you are looking for some expert advice on wound care, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet

1. Debridement

Debridement is the process of removing damaged or dead tissue and foreign objects from the wound.

Types of wound debridement

Biological debridement uses sterile maggots that digest the dead tissue and pathogens of the wound, giving space to the formation of new cells.

Enzymatic debridement uses a topical agent to chemically liquefy necrotic tissues with enzymes, which devitalize the tissues within the wound. This method can be used together with surgical debridement.

Autolytic debridement is long-term and works by maintaining moisture beneath a wound’s dressing using the body’s enzymes. Dressing absorbency is important in the maintenance of moisture.

Mechanical debridement by hydrotherapy technique and wet-to-dry dressing is cost-effective though it can cause damage to healthy tissues. The wet-to-dry dressing is changed every 4 to 6 hours.

Conservative sharp and surgical debridement is performed by a skilled practitioner who removes the biofilm and devitalized tissue. The level of debridement is determined by the level of tissue removal.

1. Nutritional supplements

Vitamin C and Aloe Vera through research have been found to play an active role in wound healing. Most diets are deficient in nutrients that enhance healing in the body. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system by increasing amino acid arginine, which activates metabolic functions to stimulate the cells to protect against bacteria. Aloe Vera can be applied or taken for internal wounds, it provides micronutrients that reduce pain and inflammation, and prevent infections. Turmeric has antioxidant properties that decrease inflammation and encourage healing by transforming the growth factor. Pineapples have a proteolytic enzyme that dissolves proteins and works best for wounds with too much scar tissue.

Seek wound care specialist services if the wound is split open and may need stitches when pain is severe and does not get better after taking painkillers and in case the wound is deep or it covers a large area. Seek immediate attention if the area around the wound looks infected. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. Our Cypress office can handle all of your wound care issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all wound-related issues.