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.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails
• Loose/separated nail
• Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
• Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes, characterized by open sores or wounds that develop on the feet, often due to poor circulation and neuropathy. These ulcers can result from minor injuries or pressure points and can be slow to heal, posing a risk of infection. Finding relief involves several steps. Firstly, controlling blood sugar levels is essential to promote healing. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the ulcer with mild soap and water helps prevent infection. Using appropriate wound dressings and ensuring the affected foot is kept dry and protected is also important. Offloading pressure through custom orthotic devices or specialized footwear can aid in healing. Seeking prompt medical attention from a podiatrist for advanced treatments, such as debridement or antibiotics, ensures effective management and reduces the risk of complications. If you have diabetes or have developed a foot ulcer, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat foot wounds. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe is a deformity where one of the toes, often the second, becomes bent in a fixed Z-shaped position. This causes discomfort and difficulty in wearing certain types of shoes and walking. Hammertoe is often the result of tendon imbalances, long metatarsal bones, and poor joint alignment. Rheumatoid arthritis, genetics, or prolonged wearing of ill-fitting shoes are other factors. The bent position of the toe can lead to excessive friction, which can result in painful calluses, corns, and even open sores on top of the affected toe. Treatment options typically involve wearing shoes with a wider toe box to reduce irritation, using orthotic devices to alleviate pain in the ball of the foot, and taping or splinting the toe to provide temporary relief. In more severe cases, where the toe is rigidly fixed and pain persists, surgery may be required to straighten the toe. If you have a painful hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition resulting in intense burning pain, redness, and warmth in the feet, often triggered by heat, exercise, or stress. This condition occurs due to abnormal blood flow and increased skin temperature in the affected areas, which leads to discomfort that can be severe and debilitating. The exact cause of erythromelalgia is not always clear, but it may be linked to nerve damage or blood vessel abnormalities. In some cases, it is associated with other medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or blood diseases. Symptoms include episodes of severe burning pain, redness, and swelling in the feet, which may last from minutes to hours. These episodes can be unpredictable, causing significant disruption to daily life. Diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and clinical examination, sometimes supported by tests to rule out other conditions. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, often through cooling measures, medications, and in some cases, addressing underlying conditions. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms described, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist for care.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.