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Psoriasis and athlete's foot are two distinct conditions that can affect the feet, but they differ significantly in cause, symptoms, and treatment. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder causing thick, scaly, and often itchy patches of skin. It is not contagious and may be triggered by stress, genetics, or environmental factors. In contrast, athlete's foot is a contagious fungal infection caused by dermatophytes thriving in warm, damp environments like locker rooms and shoes. It presents as red, itchy, peeling skin, often between the toes. Prevention varies by condition. Psoriasis management includes avoiding triggers and keeping skin moisturized, while athlete's foot requires keeping feet dry, using antifungal powders, and wearing breathable footwear. Treatments also differ. Psoriasis is managed with topical steroids or systemic medications, while athlete's foot responds to antifungal creams. If you are experiencing either of these foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose and tailor treatment care effectively.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

A broken toe can cause sudden pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. The toe may appear crooked or misaligned, and in some cases, you might hear a popping sound at the time of injury. Common causes of broken toes include dropping heavy objects on the foot, stubbing your toe, or sports-related accidents. Treatment for a broken toe often involves elevation to reduce swelling and pain. Depending on the severity of the fracture, your podiatrist may recommend buddy taping the toe or using a special shoe to protect it while it heals. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to realign the bones. While many broken toes can heal on their own, it is important to visit a podiatrist to ensure the injury is properly diagnosed and treated. Improper treatment can lead to long-term pain or deformity. If you think you may have a broken toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling. This condition is often seen in the big toe and can sometimes lead to infection. One of the key causes of ingrown toenails is improper nail trimming, such as cutting nails too short or rounding the edges. Other factors include wearing tight shoes that crowd the toes or injure the nail. Toenail thickening, often caused by fungal infections, can also increase the risk of ingrown nails by altering the shape of the nail and making it more likely to dig into the skin. Ingrown toenails may improve with care like soaking and proper trimming, but severe cases require professional treatment. A podiatrist can safely remove part of the nail, treat any infection, and provide advice on proper nail care and footwear to prevent recurrence. If you have an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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