Red Flags And Preventative Action

A Q&A with Texas Foot Surgeons about Pediatric Heel Pain. 

Don't Be Embarrassed By Discolored Toenails.  

Dr. Eric Pack explains, "Discolored toenails ranging from white, yellow, green, brown, black - any color except a healthy, pink nail bed through a translucent nail unit, means you have a medical condition that should be diagnosed and treated.  And the sooner the better. Abnormal looking toenails are usually a symptom of infection, a result of untreated trauma, and sometimes, most serious of all, a melanoma lesion."

What You Should Expect For An Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment For Subungual Melanoma

A dark spot or streak on your toenail could be a sign of subungual melanoma.  It's often slow and painless growth makes it tricky to catch early.  Learn the signs and when to seek urgent treatment.

Treatment For Subungual Verruca - A Wart From Viral Infection Beneath The Toenail.   

Viral infections of the skin and nail are spread through contact.  If you have dry, cracked skin on your feet you can pick it up from a surface that a person with plantar wart infection has walked on with bare feet.  A nail salon with poor sterilization and infection control technique can spread the virus from customer to customer.  It can be picked up that easily.  Without proper treatment it can spread to other areas of your body.

Risks of Infection from Toenail Trauma And When Its Time To See A Specialist

A bacterial toenail infection resulting from toenail trauma occurs because the injury has lacerated the nail bed underneath the nail plate and exposed the nail bed tissue to bacterial contamination. 

If there is an associated bone fracture with blunt force trauma to the toenail you may also be at risk for osteomyelitis (bone infection).

When a Discolored Toenail is a Sign of Bacterial Toenail Infection And Its Time To See The Doctor.

Texans love to free their feet.  Flip-flops, sandals, slides, open-toed cowboy boots, going barefoot in every venue, for any occasion, in all seasons.  

Freedom from structured footwear may be more comfortable but exposing your feet indiscriminately to the elements can set you up as a host to some nasty bacteria.  

Know The Symptoms And Reasons You Shouldn't Wait to Seek Effective Treatment

A painful, thick, yellow, green, brown or black toenail means you could have a toenail fungus infection.  If you have a toenail fungal infection it won't go away on its own.  You can't get rid of it with home remedies or over the counter topical treatments.  Learn why, and how to cure it by reading more.

Non-surgical Options That Can Resolve Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Dr. Eric Pack Explains, "Plantar Fasciitis is a very common inflammatory reaction of the plantar fascia ligament which occurs from inadequate arch support. If your plantar fascia pain has lasted longer than eight weeks, ask yourself these 5 questions. The answers could uncover problems with your treatment."