Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection the effects the toenails or fingernails. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all fungal abnormalities. This condition causes the nail to become discolored and become thick. As the infection progresses, the nail can become brittle and possibly fall off.

 

At first glance, onychomycosis appears to be only a cosmetic concern. However, without treatment, the toenails can become abnormally thick forcing the toe to press against the inside of the shoes, causing pressure, irritation, and pain. Onychomycosis is very treatable with a podiatrist. In most cases, onychomycosis can be treated in the following ways:

• Medications – prescription of topical or oral antifungal medications can be given to provide relief
• Light – depending on the severity of the condition, light can be used for treatment. Fungi are sensitive to heat, so laser treatment to heat the nail bed will disrupt fungal growth
• Removal of nail – by removing the affected part of the nail, the fungus cannot spread and affect other toes or the rest of the foot

Nail fungus, such as onychomycosis should be treated as quickly as possible. These conditions can cause permanent damage to nails if left untreated. It can also lead to other serious infections for those with weakened immune systems. There are many risk factors that come with onychomycosis. Patients who are of poor health, advanced age or have a family history of fungal infections are at particular risk.

 

Talk to us at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center today to see what your treatment options are. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center in Soldotna, AK, by calling 907-260-3668 or visit us online at www.hcotler.com.

Work-Related Foot Problems

When it comes to work-related foot injuries, it doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in, you are at risk of foot injuries. While most foot injuries occur off the job, there are a number of work-related factors that can lead to foot problems, especially in jobs that require long periods of standing.

 

The main thing to remember when you’re thinking about your foot health while working is choosing the right footwear. Poor footwear that does not fit properly heavily contributes to foot disorders. You should look for the following in a pair of work shoes:

• Flexibility – footwear should stretch and grow with your feet
• Comfort fit – sometimes feet are different sizes so make sure to measure both feet when shopping
• Timing – buy your new shoes in the late-afternoon when feet are swollen to their maximum size
• Shock-absorbing – if the shoes you’re looking at don’t have shock-absorbing qualities, buy insoles. Your feet will thank you if you’re walking around a lot as part of your job.

Next time you have an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler, tell him about your job and ask what types of shoes you should wear, he’s happy to help! We treat all types of foot pain, so if you aren’t sure what you have just call for an appointment. The most work-related pain we treat is:

• Bunions
• Hammertoe
• Arch disorders
• Heel spurs
• Corns and callouses
• Ingrown toenails  

Vascular Examination - PAD

Here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot care, we strive to be at the forefront of the podiatry profession. We do so through continuing education programs and keeping up with the latest technological advances. One of the technologies that we’re using at our Soldotna, AK practice is a vascular examination tool. This great device allows us to better diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

 

PAD is a lower extremity disorder in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the rest of your body. This plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue and other substances. When the plaque builds up in the body’s arteries, it can harden and narrow the arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the other organs in your body, especially to the legs and feet. For those wondering what the symptoms of PAD are, patients often report the following:

• Cramping pains in the legs or hip muscles while walking
• Burning or aching in the feet and toes while at rest
• Cooling of the skin in specific areas of the legs or feet
• Color change in the skin
• Sores on the feet and toes
• No pulse in the feet

Our non-invasive vascular exam is a simple test. Dr. Harry Cotler will place blood pressure cuffs on your leg at different levels. This will measure your blood pressure and obtain an image of the pulse wave form. This will show Dr. Cotler whether or not there is evidence of PAD.

Warts

Warts

We not only treat sprains and injuries, here in our Soldotna, AK, Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care podiatry office, but skin conditions of the foot as well.Warts are a common complaint among our patients, especially plantar warts. Plantar warts show up on the sole, ball, or heel of the foot as noncancerous growths. These types of warts can be yellow, gray, or brown and are spongy and rough to the touch.

 

The main cause of warts on the foot is the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can enter the body through cuts in the skin. Some individuals have a higher risk factor than others with getting plantar warts or other types of warts caused by the virus, especially when walking barefoot outdoors, in locker rooms or in common areas, as well as having a weakened immune system.

 

Plantar warts usually present as a lump on the foot, and are felt more easily while standing. They can grow in singular warts or clusters. We treat all types of warts on the foot after diagnosis, but also encourage prevention of the spreading of warts by always wearing shoes and changing the socks and shoes daily.

 

Call podiatrist Dr. Harry Cotler at 907-260-3668 to learn more about warts and the treatment options we offer.