So much of what worries people about their foot health happens out of sight: problems with connective tissue or muscles, problems with nerves, problems with bones, and so on. You can feel the changes and the issues, but you usually can’t see them. It’s different when the condition is on the surface of your feet. Your skin and toenails are both essential members of your lower limbs and play critical roles in monitoring your foot health.
Your Natural Borders
Your skin and nails are your body’s first line of defense against the world around you. They keep what belongs inside of you on the inside and everything else out. They are also the part of your lower limbs that everyone else sees. They are not, however, invincible. Both your toenails and the skin on your feet can suffer from injuries, infections, and harmful conditions.
This can cause you pretty significant pain, difficulty wearing shoes, and even trouble walking, depending on the problem. Conditions can be on the surface of your feet, in your skin, or even below your nails. Unlike other lower limb problems, these ones usually create visible changes in the feet. Since they compromise the structures that are meant to protect your lower limbs, they can allow complications and secondary issues to arise. Treating the problems means jumping on them right away and getting accurate diagnoses so you get the most effective care.
Common Problems for Skin and Nails
There are many potential problems for the skin and nails that need care. When you notice an issue, Dr. Noah Levine will carefully evaluate your feet to diagnose the condition. Here are just a few issues that could affect your skin and toenails:
Corns and Calluses – These thickened patches of skin develop in response to prolonged pressure and friction on a single spot.
Contact Dermatitis – Sometimes specific things irritate the skin and cause a painful rash or breakout.
Fungal Infections – Fungus in the environment can grow on your skin, causing athlete’s foot, but it can also get under your nails and create fungal nail infections.
Ingrown Toenails – Sometimes nails curve and grow into your soft skin instead of straight forward.
Black Toenails – Damage to the ends of your toes can create bruises under your nails. These turn your nails dark and can sometimes be uncomfortable.
Psoriasis – This autoimmune disease can develop thick, itchy, painful plaques on the soles of your feet.
Diabetic Wounds – Diabetic complications can make it more challenging to heal from small injuries. Instead, they often deteriorate into ulcers that can potentially lead to amputations.
Warts – These lesions are caused by a contagious virus getting into the skin. There it develops a bump that can grow and spread.
Living with healthy feet also means taking care of your skin and nails. They are your first line of defense and the part of your lower limbs that everyone else can see. If you’re struggling at all to take care of the surface of your feet, or you’ve noticed any changes, connect with us at Absolute Foot Care Specialists in Las Vegas. We’re happy to help. Call (702) 839-2010 or use our online request forms to contact us for more information or an appointment.