Toenail & Skin Conditions
Podiatrist, Foot & Ankle Specialist in Marine Park, Brooklyn & Staten Island, NY
Laser Therapy For Fungal Toenails
Do you have thick, yellow, discolored toenails? Are you embarrassed to wear your open-toed shoes in public? Chances are you have fungal toenails, a condition also known as onychomycosis.
Fungal toenails are caused by an organism that grows in and under the nail. The fungus likes to grow in warm, moist places like your shoes.
Many patients pick up fungal toenail infections in the gym locker room, from a nail salon, wet shoes or from trauma. Fungus can stay in the nails for many years and can be passed from one person to another.
There are currently three treatment modalities for this condition. They include topical medications, oral medications, which can have some serious side effects; and the newest modality which is laser therapy.
Dr. Howard Dinowitz uses a laser, which focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to eradicate the fungus living under and in the nail. The procedure is performed right in our office, requires no anesthesia and is painless. Most patients require only three treatments and can once again enjoy wearing open toed shoes.
If you're tired of looking at those unsightly toenails, please schedule an appointment for a comprehensive evaluation.
Ingrown Toenails
Dr. Howard Dinowitz offers a quick, virtually pain-free correction of ingrown nails.
An ingrown toenail occurs when a corner of the nail grows into the flesh of the toe, causing redness and swelling, followed by pain and often infection. Ingrown toenails can occur due to improper trimming of the toenail, trauma or genetic factors.
Treatment for ingrown toenails is performed by gently numbing the toe, and then removing the offending corner of the nail. If you have chronic ingrown toenails, we can remove the root in the office to permanently prevent re-growth of the ingrown portion of the nail. If you have an ingrown toenail, don't be afraid to schedule an appointment. Your treatment will be gentle and virtually painless, and we'll get you back to your normal activities right away.
Foot Warts (Plantar Warts)
Plantar Warts are a common foot condition that we treat in our podiatry practice. If you have one or more growths on the bottom of your foot that may or may not be painful, chances are it's a plantar wart.
Plantar Warts are caused by a virus. You may notice little black dots in the wart. People sometimes think these dots are splinters. They are actually the blood vessels that nourish the wart. You can get viral warts anywhere you walk barefoot, such as the local pool, karate studio, dance studio, locker room or even from a pedicure salon.
There are several treatments for plantar warts; including topical medication, excision, injections. The type of treatment received depends upon the patient's needs. Plantar warts can spread easily. If you think you have one or more plantar warts, contact our podiatry practice immediately to have them removed before they multiply.
Athlete’s Foot - Fungal Infections
Dr. Dinowitz offers various treatments for Athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection affecting the web of skin between the toes and the soles of the foot.
Symptoms typically include itching, burning, pain and scaling. People pick up these fungal infections when walking barefoot on contaminated floors and object. Since Athlete's Foot is very contagious, it can even be passed from person to person. Although Athlete's foot can be treated with anti-fungal medications, you should always try to keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and “breathable shoes".
If you think you have foot fungus or any other foot or ankle condition, make an appointment for a complete evaluation.