Items filtered by date: November 2016

Erythrasma is a condition in which the skin between the toes becomes red and itchy. The skin may turn brown or become scaly. Creams, anti-fungal ointments, and powders will not resolve the skin infection. Those with erythrasma may notice the same patches of skin in skin fold regions: armpit, the groin, the belly button, and may be worsened by dermatitis or infection by other bacteria. The main culprit is Corynebacterium minutissimum, however other fungi or bacteria can co-infect the area. Very rarely, the infection can become deeper and an abscess may develop; thus, treatment is recommended.

Your podiatrist and/or dermatologist may recommend:

• Erythrasma requires certain tests to diagnose: under a Wood’s lamp, the skin may fluoresce coral red or a swab or skin scrapings may be collected and viewed under a microscope
• Controlling for moisture between the toes as moist environments can harbor bacteria
• Treatment with topical gentamicin, an antibiotic
• Maintaining proper hygiene
• If ointment does not resolved the infection, oral antibiotics may be used

Erythrasma resolves within a few weeks in most patients treated with antibiotics. Co-infections may have to be treated as well. The sooner you see your physician, the sooner the infection can be treated.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office

Hallux limitus is a condition in which the joint that moves the big toe becomes stiff and possibly painful from arthritic changes. The pain usually is with lifting the toe or stretching the toe toward the leg. The pain may occur with walking, with jumping or over time if the joint is damaged, at rest. The pain may also center under the ball of the foot. Often a callus will form under the toe and may become painful or create a wound. Sometimes, there is a bony painful protrusion on the top of the joint.

To treat hallux limitus, your podiatrist may recommend:

• Wearing different shoes: high heels can place more pressure on the joint and cause two bones to grind on one another
• Shoe inserts or orthotics with modifications to either increase or decrease the motion at that joint
• Steroid injections which tend to be temporary pain relievers but can reduce inflammation
• Solid sole shoes, possibly with a curved sole to reduce bending of that joint
• Topical or oral pain medication
• Surgery to remove bony outgrowths
• Surgery to fuse the joint

Hallux limitus is a condition that is often treated successfully with conservative care. Your doctor may want to test your joints and muscles to determine the best supportive orthotics for you so plan for a bit of a longer visit. Sometimes excellent shoes may be enough to prevent most pain associated with the joint.

Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office