female-feet-put-bucket-pedicure

3 At-Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails

/0 Comments/in /by

Ingrown toenails can be a serious hassle. Not only can they be extremely painful, but they can also impact your daily life. Luckily, you can do a few things at home to find relief.Keep reading to learn 3 at-home remedies for those annoying ingrown toenails.

Soaking

Soaking your ingrown toenail is one of the most popular ways to reduce swelling and ease pain. First, try soaking your foot in warm, soapy water for about 20 minutes. While most soaps will work, we recommend Castile soap. Another tip is to add Epsom salts, which can provide additional benefit. If a water soak doesn’t bring any relief, consider soaking your foot in apple cider vinegar. This substance is said to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and pain-relieving qualities. To try this remedy, combine water with ¼ cup apple cider vinegar in a large bowl, then soak for about 20 minutes.

Need professional help for an ingrown toenail? For trusted ingrown toenail treatment in Austin, TX, or the surrounding area, contact Dr. Jeffery W. LaMour today!

Applying Ointment

Experts also recommend applying antiseptic ointment to the area. Most over-the-counter antiseptic ointments or creams should work, which are known to encourage healing and lower the chance of infection. Make sure you apply the ointment as directed on the package instructions, and use it up to three times daily. Common brand name ointments include Neosporin, Polysporin, and Bactroban.

Wearing the Right Shoes and Socks

If you wear the wrong footwear or socks, this can actually be the leading cause of an ingrown toenail. In order to give your toenail enough room to breathe and grow properly, it’s important to wear loose, comfortable shoes and socks.

Looking for professional care instead? To work with a leading podiatrist in Austin, TX, call Dr. Jeffery W. LaMour today to schedule an appointment!

feet-smell-foot-fungus

My Feet Smell Bad – Is It Foot Fungus?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Foot odor is a problem that many people have, including people struggling with foot fungus. However, not everyone with foot odor has a fungus. Foot odor can be frustrating for the person experiencing it, and if you don’t know the cause, it can be hard to get rid of. Seeing a podiatrist in Austin, TX may help, depending on the problem. Here’s what you need to know.

Some Feet Naturally Smell Worse Than Others

Sweat and bacteria both occur naturally on the feet, and both can cause feet to smell. Bromodosis is a scientific word for a condition that occurs when sweat on the feet becomes trapped, causing the feet to smell. Some people have naturally sweaty feet, and therefore are prone to this odor.

In addition, the bacteria on the bottom of the feet can create a particularly smelly acid. The type of odor that most people experience depends on the type of bacteria on their feet.

What You Can Do

  • Keep your feet dry
  • Wash your feet daily, and dry them thoroughly when you’re done
  • Wear socks
  • Avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row
  • Keep your shoes clean and dry
  • Soak your feet for twenty minutes in two parts warm water, one part vinegar, once per week

Foot Fungus Could Be the Cause

Foot fungus can be the cause of your foot odor. If your efforts to get rid of your foot odor have not worked, you may need treatment for athlete’s foot and other foot fungus in Austin TX. Call Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA to learn more about treatment for athlete’s foot. Call today.

close-up-hand-clipping-toenails

Top 3 Reasons You Should Treat Your Ingrown Toenails

/0 Comments/in /by

Ingrown toenails often do not receive the attention they deserve. While they are painful, it can be dangerous to “tough it out” as it may evolve into a serious problem that can become infected or cause serious complications. Dr. Jefferey Lamour of Austin, TX provides patients with the proper care and advice that they need to diagnose and treat any issue resulting from an ingrown toenail.

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail is exactly as it sounds. Your toenails regularly grow, with some people having more active development than others. The growing edges of your nail can sometimes be pressed against the soft tissue of your toe, which leaves no choice for the nail but to grow into the soft tissue of the toe rather than alongside the nail bed. The main causes of ingrown toenails are

  • Restrictive shoes
  • Certain nail and foot shapes
  • Cutting, trimming, or buffing nails into a curved shape rather than straight

If you find yourself in a situation where the pain persists for a few days, it may be time for professional treatment.

Why Should an Ingrown Toenail be Treated?

Other than alleviating yourself of the discomfort from an ingrown toenail, they should be treated before they become more serious.

Fungus

Toenail fungus is much more prevalent during an ingrown toenail, especially if left to fester. Once the nail is deep within the tissue, it can further develop thickening or discoloration.

Infection

The healing response is compromised during an ingrown toenail and opens up new areas for bacteria and pathogens to enter. This increases your risk of infection.

Minimize Spread

Complications that come with infection or compromised immunity can quickly spread throughout the toe, foot, and leg.

Your Local Quality Foot Care Team

If you have persistent pain or have not identified the root cause of the issue for your ingrown toenail, it is time for a professional consultation. During your appointment with Dr. Jefferey Lamour of Austin, TX you can be sure that you are receiving the proper care to address your unique situation.

person with pain in heel

Will My Heel Pain Go Away on Its Own?

/0 Comments/in /by

In some instances, heel pain may go away on its own, but there could be risk involved. Mild pain can become severe if left untreated. For this reason and others, it’s always a good idea to ask for help. If you’re suffering with heel pain, there’s no need to go it alone. Your podiatrist in Austin, TX, has a treatment that’s sure to help. From bursitis to heel spurs, relief is available. But the sooner you call a professional, the sooner treatment can begin, and the sooner your pain will end.

What Could Be Causing My Heel Pain?

There are many reasons why your heel may hurt, but plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are probably the two most common. Neither of these conditions will clear up without treatment, so if you’re struggling with sudden pain, it’s important to call your podiatrist. Other causes of heel pain include:

  • Heel spurs
  • Inflammation
  • Stress fracture
  • Bone infection
  • Arthritis
  • Neuropathy

The pain associated with several of these conditions can be severe, and the condition may worsen without treatment. However, most are simple enough for your podiatrist in Austin or Pflugerville to treat when you schedule a consultation.

What Type of Treatments Work for Heel Pain?

Often, your foot doctor can prescribe medications to ease pain and reduce inflammation in the heel. Or, they may refer you to physical therapy, where a professional therapist can stretch and manipulate your foot to ease your pain. Your podiatrist may also give you exercises to do at home between visits to help alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Steroid injections and surgery can also be helpful.

Help for Heel Pain in Austin, TX.

If you need help with pain in your heel, and you live in Austin, Pflugerville, or the surrounding areas, Dr. Jefffery LaMour, DPM, PA is available to take your call. Schedule a consultation today.