Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The world is full of allergens, some which may pose no risk for you and others that might make you miserable. While many people are born with sensitivity to certain foods or substances, others may develop allergies later in life. Allergic contact dermatitis is defined as an allergic condition that occurs when your skin is contacted by an allergen that you are sensitive to. When this happens an allergic reaction occurs, which may be in the form of rashes, dry or scaly skin.
Skin Conditions — Dry Feet in Lake Zurich, IL
Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis of the foot are poison ivy, oak or sumac as well as particular dyes and chemicals that may be found in footwear. The first step in treating allergies of any kind is to identify the allergen. If you are experiencing new symptoms, take the time to evaluate what new substances or plants you may have come into contact with.

If you are experiencing what you may believe to be allergic contact dermatitis, contact Lake Zurich Foot Clinic to assist you with finding the cause and alleviating the symptoms. You may need to be tested for a fungal infection or prescribed one of the many effective treatments that are available to remedy this troublesome condition.

Athlete's Foot

Typically contracted in damp communal places such as public pools, locker rooms or showers, athlete’s foot is a highly contagious, persistent ailment caused by fungal growth on the feet. It can be located in any area of the foot but the most commonly affected area is between the toes.

Athlete’s foot often first appears as an itchy red rash, typically beginning between the fourth and fifth toe. If left untreated, the skin may become highly sensitive to the touch. If allowed to progress, the condition can result in white, peeling skin and a milky discharge.

It is important to treat Athlete’s foot at the first sign of infection as the body can become vulnerable to other bacterial infections large cracks occur in the skin. The infection can also be transmitted to other parts of the body through bedding and clothes. Patients with serious cases of athlete’s foot may develop a rash that covers the sole of the foot. Known as “moccasin foot,” this manifestation of Athlete’s foot creates extremely scaly, thick and rough skin on the bottom of the foot.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of Athlete’s foot, contact Lake Zurich Foot Clinic today for effective treatment options. Early treatment will lessen the risk of exposure to others and alleviate the painful symptoms associated with this condition.

Calluses

The human body is amazing in its ability to protect itself from repeated pressure and stress. It is this adaptive tendency that creates calluses on the feet. Calluses are thick patches of skin that develop when the foot is subjected to excessive friction and pressure. This skin forms a protective layer over the foot to make it less vulnerable to injury. However, the callus itself may eventually become a problem if not properly managed.

Often calluses are found on those who may spend a lot of time walking barefoot outdoors. Calluses can also form to compensate for improper foot alignment. They can become exceedingly rough and dry and in some cases, the callus may start to crack. While smaller calluses may be unsightly, it is the rough and cracked skin that may become painful.

Infections

Dealing with infections is a normal part of life and the common understanding is that most people with healthy immune systems are able to fend off common infections without the help of medical treatment. While this may be true for most parts of the body, infections of the feet can present another set of problems. Because feet are consistently in contact with dirt and other materials that may worsen an infection, it is necessary to be proactive when tending to foot infections.

There are many available treatment options for infections of the foot. The recommended course of treatment will vary depending upon the location, type, and severity of the infection. If you are suffering from a foot infection, please contact Lake Zurich Foot Clinic immediately to ensure that the infection does not spread and is healed as quickly and painlessly as possible (847) 540-0234.

Ingrown Toenails

Although they can start out as a small nuisance, ingrown toenails can become a real problem if left untreated. Caused by a segment of the toenail that embeds in the skin around the nail, an ingrown toenail is characterized by pain, swelling, redness and a feeling of warmth in the affected toe. If the nail digs into the flesh around the nail and causes the skin to break, bacteria can enter, resulting in an infection. The infection can increase the level of pain in the toe and create additional problems.

If you are in need of care for your ingrown toenail or are unsure how to properly care for your toenails, contact us today.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are benign (noncancerous) growths that occur on the sole, heel, or ball of the foot. Plantar warts can occur when the human papillomavirus (HPV) invades the body through the skin on the bottom of the feet typically through cuts or breaks. The virus often is present on contaminated surfaces, such as the tile floors of public locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools.

Some individuals are more prone to the virus that causes plantar warts than other people. Risk factors include:

  • Repeated HPV exposure. For example, walking barefoot in public locker rooms and common public areas.
  • Having a weakened immune system. In some cases, the virus can be transmitted to the feet from other areas of the body. This is called remote location seeding.

Xerosis

If you’ve typically had normal skin on your feet and have been noticing them becoming increasingly dry. You’re likely dealing with a case of xerosis. The condition medically known as xerosis is also better known as severe dry skin on the feet. There is really no medication needed to treat the condition.

There are several factors that can cause xerosis such as:

  • Bathing or showering habitually more than once a day
  • Using non-moisturizing soaps
  • Not applying lotion to re-moisturize the area
  • Using excessively hot water when showering or bathing

Xerosis is a fairly common ailment and shouldn’t create any unnecessary cause for alarm.
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