At Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care, we know that at this time of year there are lots of horror movies on television, but the last thing patients want to see are scary symptoms in their feet and toes. If you notice an alarming symptom, don’t panic. Make an appointment at our Edison (732-204-6630), Monroe (732-204-6802) or Monmouth Junction (732-204-6945) office as soon as possible and our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah, will diagnose your condition promptly and prescribe the correct treatment. Below are some of the least pleasant podiatric symptoms and what they mean.
Foul Discharge—if one of your toes smells like it just emerged from a creepy swamp and it’s oozing fluid, you may have an infection. This could be the result of an ingrown toenail or a fungal or bacterial infection. If you are a diabetic patient, getting your toe looked at by the foot doctor quickly is even more important as decreased circulation and suppressed immune system function can make even a minor infection very serious.
Black Toenail—these even have a scary name: subungual hematomas. Despite the name and the appearance, however, black toenails do not usually require treatment. They have two common causes. The first is trauma, such as a having a heavy item dropped on the toe, or by stubbing the toe badly. The second reason for the bruised toenails is repeated pounding of the toe up against the inside of your sneaker—a common occurrence if you are a runner and/or your sneakers are a bit too small.
Crumbling Nail—do you have a toenail that has become brittle and seems to be chipping or peeling away at the edges? Is it also discolored or have white spots? These are all possible indicators of a fungal toenail. There are several ways the foot doctor can treat toenail fungus including, topical or oral medication and laser therapy.
We hope our patients will never be frightened of a visit to the podiatrist! Contact us if you have any concerns about your feet or ankles. We promise compassionate and professional care.
