Podiatric skin and nail issues can do more than cause pain and discomfort – they can also shake your confidence and make you too embarrassed to participate in activities that require removing your shoes. Fortunately, you don’t have to let problems with your skin or toenails get in the way of doing the things you love.
At Foot & Ankle Alliance, our highly trained foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Dana Brems, DPM, provides complete skin and nail care for patients of all ages. If you’re ready to resolve painful or unsightly conditions and get back into your favorite pair of sandals, we can help.
Comprehensive Skin and Nail Care for California’s San Fernando Valley
From our state-of-the-art office in Woodland Hills, we treat patients from communities throughout the San Fernando Valley. Here’s an overview of some of the most common skin and nail issues we address and our treatment options.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the sides of the nail grow into the surrounding flesh, causing pain, redness, swelling, and an increased risk of infection. Improper nail trimming, wearing tight shoes with narrow toe boxes, injury, and having a nail that’s too large for your toe are common causes of ingrown toenails.
Some cases may improve with simple home care. However, if the affected toe is particularly painful, shows signs of infection, or you have a medical condition like diabetes, professional podiatric care can help you avoid potential complications.
We offer effective options for ingrown toenail relief, such as lifting or removing a portion of the nail, and can provide expert guidance to prevent a recurrence.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that form on the toes or soles of the feet. A type of viral infection, plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin. Though the growths are noncancerous, they’re unsightly and can make standing or walking painful. Plantar warts on the heels or balls of the feet may grow inward beneath a hard, thick callus due to weight-bearing pressure.
While over-the-counter wart treatments are available, these stubborn and highly contagious infections can persist for years without professional care.
At Foot & Ankle Alliance, our plantar wart removal treatments include prescription-strength topical medicines, cryotherapy, electric needle electrodesiccation and curettage (EEDC), and laser therapy.
Fungal Toenails
Discolored, thickened, brittle, and crumbly toenails are signs of a hard-to-shake fungal nail infection called onychomycosis. Caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes, these infections can affect any part of the nail, including the matrix, bed, or plate.
Though fungal toenail symptoms are mainly cosmetic, in some cases, the condition may cause pain or a foul odor. It can also spread to the skin and other body parts without proper care. Over-the-counter products may help clear up mild cases, but professional treatment by a skilled podiatrist offers the best chance for a full recovery.
Treatment options range from topical and oral anti-fungal medications to cutting-edge laser therapy sessions that are fast (taking between five and 15 minutes) and virtually painless.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin infection caused by the same type of fungi that’s responsible for fungal nails. As the fungus grows on the outer layer of the skin, it can cause redness, cracking, peeling, and itching, especially between the toes. The condition is extremely contagious and spreads through contact with infected skin cells or fungi, which thrive in damp areas such as locker rooms and swimming pools. Though over-the-counter treatments are available, skilled podiatric care can benefit severe cases.
We offer a variety of options, including prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays, and powders.
Highly Skilled Care for Podiatric Skin and Nail Concerns
Don’t put up with skin or nail conditions that make you uncomfortable or embarrassed. Treat your feet to the exceptional therapies they deserve and discover why we're Southern California’s top choice for world-class foot and ankle care for the whole family.
Complete the contact form to schedule an appointment with our specialist.