Skin Disorders
Plantar Warts
CAUSES
Plantar warts are caused by the human papilloma virus which is transmitted through contact. If someone has a plantar wart on their foot and is walking around a public place barefoot they are leaving the virus behind. If you walk over the same area and have small cracks in your skin you are susceptible to picking up the virus. You can then contaminate your shower and pass this to your family members.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is made by the appearance of the lesion which on the bottom of the foot is a flat, grainy, circular, slightly raised above the skin lesion with black dots and painful to the squeeze more so than direct pressure. Non-weight bearing surfaces such as the hands will normally show a raised smooth appearance for the wart since there is no deforming pressures present.
TREATMENT
At Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists we offer the latest technology in the treatment of warts with the use of the swift microwave therapy. No anesthesia and minimal to no discomfort. Usually 1-2 treatments are required to unmask the wart virus and resolve the warts for good. Great for children of all ages and adults especially if you have warts resistant to other treatments.
Typical treatments usually begin with scraping the plantar wart to pinpoint bleeding since the warts are fed by small arteries. Next prescription creams are dispensed to be used daily to help dissolve the wart tissue so on subsequent visits the plantar wart can be safely removed. Other options include freezing the wart, which at Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists we only recommend on non weight bearing surfaces since these lesions are solely above the skin. Curretage with hyfercation, which is removing the plantar wart in its entirety and then cauterizing or burning the blood vessels that are feeding the wart to keep it from returning and is done under a local anesthetic to numb the area.
Swift technology is the most effective modality for the resolution of warts. For more information, please check this page: https://midohiofootandankle.com/swift-treatment
Athletes Foot
CAUSES
Athletes foot also known as Tinea Pedis is caused by a contagious dermatophyte that thrives in warm, moist places such as the toe boxes of shoes. If there is a small crack in the skin the fungus (Tinea Rubrum) can enter the area and will begin to grow out of control leading to a dry, red, itchy, scaly rash on the bottoms and sides of the feet. If the spaces between toes become infected the fungi is called Tinea Mentagrophytes.
DIAGNOSIS
Most commonly athletes foot diagnosis can be made by looking at the appearance of the rash and the areas infected. Most commonly red, dry, cracking, itchy skin will be present on the soles of the feet. If the space between the toes is macerated meaning wet and white then it has a possible infection requiring a topical antibiotic. If lesions have been present for a long period of time a skin biopsy or swab of the web space is recommended to obtain an exact diagnosis of the cause.
TREATMENT
At Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists we recommend prescription creams and sometimes pills that have been successfully used over the last 20 years and have been on the market for over 40 years. We also recommend you spray the toe box of your shoes with lysol spray once a week and change your socks daily. If your feet sweat profusely then you should change your socks twice a day and use anti-fungal powders. There are also ultraviolet lamps to help rid your shoes of all fungi that can be used periodically to cleanse the inside of the shoes.
Corn / Calluses
CAUSES
Corns and calluses are due to repetitive constant friction on weight bearing surfaces that decrease the fat pad between the skin and the bone. The bodies natural response is to lay down harder tissue to help protect the area that is being traumatized. Once enough of the fat pad is destroyed the area then forms a callus that rubs against the nerve and bone and becomes painful from lack of cushioning.
DIAGNOSIS
At Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists we obtain X-rays to review the structure and alignment of the bones in the foot that are causing the friction in the shoes. Once the area of the Callous / Corn is associated with the underlying boney cause, treatment options can be given to remedy the recurrence of the painful Corns / Calluses.
TREATMENT
Conservative treatment includes shaving the Corns / Callouses, padding, wider shoes, soft inserts and fat pad injections to rejuvenate the decreased cushioning in the foot.
Surgical intervention consists of correcting the underlying bone abnormality that is causing the skin lesions to form. Most patients are able to bear full weight immediately after surgery with a surgical shoe.
