Nail fungus or onychomycosis is very stubborn to treat. Early on, the presentation may be mild discoloration and often goes unnoticed. Many over the counter medications are not effective. Nail fungus can cause significant changes to the nail making them difficult to care for, cause pain and be at risk for bacterial infections or wounds. There may be prescription medications or procedure options so come in and be evaluated.
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
Athletes foot is caused by fungus and is commonly seen between the toes. You may find that you have recurrent issues with this! Changing the type of socks you wear, controlling the amount of sweat collecting around your feet and alternating shoes each day can reduce the recurrence. There are over the counter and prescription treatment options for athletes’ foot. If you have tried treating over the counter and it is not going away, it is time to get it checked out.
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
What Causes Warts?
Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a highly contagious virus that enters the body through small cuts, breaks, or weak spots in the skin. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, each tending to affect specific areas of the body — common warts typically appear on the hands and fingers, plantar warts on the soles of the feet, and flat warts on the face or legs. The virus spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces such as gym floors, locker rooms, and shared towels. Children and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible.
Treatment Options
Most warts are harmless and may resolve on their own over time, but many patients seek treatment for cosmetic reasons or because the warts are painful or spreading. Several effective options are available, ranging from at-home remedies to in-office procedures.
Prescription Treatments
For warts that don’t respond to over-the-counter products, prescription-strength options offer a more targeted approach. Dr Nelson can send a prescription that works by stimulating the immune system to attack the virus locally, prompting the body’s own defenses to recognize and clear the infected tissue over time. It is applied at home on a regular schedule and works well with combined in office treatment.
Class IV Remy Laser
The Class IV Remy laser offers an advanced, non-invasive approach to wart treatment using high-powered therapeutic laser energy. Unlike ablative lasers, the Remy laser penetrates deeply into tissue to generate targeted heat at the site of the wart, disrupting the infected cells and impairing the blood supply that sustains HPV-driven growth. Treatments are performed in-office and typically take just a few minutes per site. The Remy laser is well-tolerated by most patients, with little to no downtime, and is a strong option for warts in sensitive locations or for patients who have not responded to conventional therapies. A series of treatments spaced two to three weeks apart is generally recommended for optimal results.
Cantharidin
Cantharidin is a provider-applied blistering agent derived from the blister beetle, used in-office to treat common and plantar warts. The solution is carefully painted onto the wart surface, where it penetrates the skin and causes a blister to form underneath the wart tissue. Over the following days, the blister lifts the wart away from the skin, allowing it to be trimmed at a follow-up visit. The treatment is virtually painless at application, making it well-tolerated by children and adults alike. Multiple sessions are needed for thicker or more stubborn warts.
If you’re dealing with warts in Ames, Iowa, Dr. Nelson can help.
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
Corns and calluses are typically caused by friction or pressure on the bottoms of the feet, tops or between the toes. They can be very painful and feel like you are stepping on something with every step. They are frequently mistaken for warts. A lot of times the structure of your foot or how your foot functions can contribute to the reason they develop. This is often part of the treatment options as well. It can be ok to use a pumice stone to file down the callus. If you have diabetes, decreased sensation, or decreased blood flow then the area is at risk for becoming an ulceration that could lead to infection. Salicylic acid corn pads may also cause wounds that can be difficult to heal. Call us if you suffer from painful callus’ and want to see if there are more options.
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
