Foot infections vary from common problems like athlete’s foot and plantar warts to complex diabetic ulcer infections. At their offices in Clarksville, Nashville, and Erin, Tennessee, and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the Gateway Foot and Ankle Center team provides expert diagnosis and treatment of all forms of infection affecting the feet. To get the proper care of your foot infection, call your nearest Gateway Foot and Ankle Center office today or go online to request an appointment.
Foot infections develop when a harmful microorganism invades the tissues in your foot and starts multiplying.
This can cause tissues to break down partially or entirely, leading to pain, unsightly skin and nails, and in some cases, open wounds called ulcers.
In the feet, fungal, viral, and bacterial infections are common problems.
Common foot infections the Gateway Foot and Ankle Center team sees frequently include:
Athlete’s foot causes sore, red skin in between your toes that can spread across your foot without treatment. The source is a fungus that breeds in warm, moist, dark conditions.
Plantar warts arise when you contract a form of human papillomavirus (HPV). Also known as verrucas, plantar warts form tiny dark spots, typically on the sole of the foot.
Fungal toenails develop from infection with a fungus similar to the one that causes athlete’s foot. The affected nail gradually weakens and discolors, eventually thickening and crumbling away.
Ulcers are deep, open sores that develop when you have poor circulation. People with diabetes are particularly prone to this problem (diabetic ulcers). The wounds are difficult to heal and often become infected, causing tissue death. A severe infection can lead to gangrene in the foot, resulting in limb amputation.
The Gateway Foot and Ankle Center team begins your foot infection treatment by examining the foot and accurately diagnosing the cause of your problem. They may need to send samples to the lab for testing to confirm the type of infection.
The treatment you need varies depending on the cause of your foot infection. Athlete’s foot and fungal toenails require antifungal creams and/or medicines. Plantar warts might need several weeks of salicylic acid applications, or you could opt for cryotherapy (freezing the wart).
Infected ulcers require debridement (surgical removal of dead and infected tissue) followed by specialized dressings. The Gateway Foot and Ankle Center team offers expert diabetic foot care and long-term treatment of ulcers.
In some cases, surgery might be necessary. For example, removing a badly infected fungal toenail or plantar warts that don’t respond to other treatments. If an ulcer becomes gangrenous, you might need amputation surgery to stop the infection from spreading and threatening your life. However, the team excels in limb salvage, so this is rarely required.
For expert treatment of your foot infection, call Gateway Foot and Ankle Center today or book an appointment online.