Foot Treatment

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms and Causes

Ingrown Toenails Melbourne | Taylors Lakes | Podiatry Melbourne
Ingrown Toenails Melbourne | Taylors Lakes | Podiatry Melbourne

Should You See a Podiatrist for Ingrown Toenail Treatment?

An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the side or corner of a toenail grows into the skin surrounding it. This condition most often affects the big toe. Patients can sometimestake care of an ingrown toenail on their own; however, there are situations in which you should seek the care of a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail. These situations include severe or spreading pain, infections, diabetes or other conditions that cause reduced blood flow to the feet.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include pain and tenderness along one or both sides of the toenail. You may also notice redness or swelling around the nail. Occasionally, infection of the skin around the toenail may occur. If you experience severe pain, redness, swelling, or if you have diabetes, you should see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Causes

Ingrown toenails are typically caused by cutting toenails too short or neglecting to cut them straight across, picking, wearing tight shoes that crowd the toes, having toenails that are unusually curved, poor foot hygiene, or sustaining an injury to the toenail area.

Possible complications

When left undiagnosed or untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause serious complications. The most severe difficulty is an infection of the underlying bone. Individuals with diabetes, who can experience poor blood flow to the feet, are more susceptible to complications. In these cases, minor foot injuries may not heal properly and, if left untreated, may lead to conditions that may be difficult to treat such as cellulitis and foot ulcers. It is therefore recommended that you visit a podiatrist for ingrown toenail treatment as soon as you notice symptoms.

Prevention

There are some things you can do to minimise your chances of developing an ingrown toenail to avoid needing treatment. First of all, be sure to trim your toenails straight across – not in a curve. If you have diabetes, see a podiatrist for regular nail management. Keep your toenails at a moderate length, even with the tips of your toes, rather than cutting them too short. Also, make sure that your shoes fit correctly and do not place too much pressure on your toes. Finally, inspect your feet daily – especially if you have diabetes – for signs of an ingrown toenail or any other issues.

Ingrown toenail treatment at Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

Many ingrown toenails can be treated at home using methods such as soaking the feet in salty water, applying antiseptic solutions such a iodine, changing your footwear and avoiding tight footwear, and using breathable socks and hosiery. If home remedies haven’t been effective, you should see a podiatrist for treatment. There are several options for treating an ingrown toenail including lifting the nail and placing cotton or foam under it to separate it from the skin as it grows. In other cases, partial or complete removal of the nail under local anaesthetic may be necessary. You may also need to take oral antibiotics if an infection is present or appears likely. If you have any symptoms of an ingrown toenail that seem to be persisting or worsening, or if you have diabetes, contact Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic for an evaluation and a personalised ingrown toenail treatment plan.

Ingrown Toenails Melbourne | Taylors Lakes | Podiatry Melbourne

Benefits of custom orthotics

Custom Orthotics Melbourne | St Albans | Taylors Lake Podiatry Clinic
Custom Orthotics Melbourne | St Albans | Taylors Lake Podiatry Clinic

Where to find a chiropodist or podiatrist in St Albans

Your feet are the foundation for all other parts of your body, so you need to ensure you are looking after them properly. People with high or low arches, plantar fasciitis, or other foot problems can experience additional problems in other areas of the body as a result. In fact, unexplained knee, leg, hip, and lower back pain is often found to have originated in the feet. Orthotics can provide relief for a variety of conditions. Here are some of the benefits of choosing custom orthotics with the help of a podiatrist in the St Albans area.

Enhanced foot support

Each of your feet has over 100 muscles and 26 bones. Feet are some of the most complex body parts, and they bear the weight of your whole body, so they deserve the right kind of attention. Custom orthotics fitted by a podiatrist in the St Albans area can provide superior support. Good custom orthotics offer support for all three anatomical arches of your feet to create a solid foundation and help relieve pain.

Increased comfort

Along with being supportive, custom orthotics are also incredibly comfortable. Designed to fit your unique foot structure perfectly, these orthotics make it easier to stand and walk around comfortably and be more productive throughout the day.

Less pain

You can find shoe inserts at retail stores that provide an additional measure of comfort and support, but they aren’t made with your specific foot issues in mind. Custom orthotics, on the other hand, can improve function and reduce pain. Patients who use custom orthotics often report a significant decrease in pain and find that their orthotic devices are an effective treatment that may even help them avoid surgery.

Better athletic performance

Athletes depend partially on proper body alignment to help them perform their best. Custom orthotics not only reduces your risk of injury but may also help you enjoy improved balance and body position, and even enhanced athletic performance.

Corrected pronation and supination

Pronation is when the ankle falls toward the inside of the foot because of collapsed arches. Supination is the opposite – when the ankles fall outward due to very high arches. Either of these conditions can throw your body off-balance and make you more prone to injury when playing sports. Custom orthotics provide the needed support, helping your feet maintain a more natural position.

Where to find custom orthotics in St Albans

If you know that you have a foot condition or are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, don’t delay in seeking treatment. Let Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic evaluate your needs and help address your condition with a personalised treatment plan designed to relieve your discomfort and improve your quality of life. We understand that every patient is different, so we’ll take the time to get to know you and ensure that we understand your symptoms and your needs. Both of our podiatrists are friendly, caring, experienced, and knowledgeable about a wide range of foot and leg conditions and how to treat them. If you are looking for a podiatrist in the area around St Albans, contact Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic to schedule your consultation.

Common causes of heel and foot pain including plantar fasciitis

Foot Pain | Heal Pain | Plantar Fasciiitis | Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic
Foot Pain | Heal Pain | Plantar Fasciiitis | Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

When to see a podiatrist for foot pain

Heel and foot pain from plantar fasciitis is a common complaint. A person suffering from plantar fasciitis will typically feel pain under the heel or in the arch.

Occasionally, they may notice pain on the side of the heel. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This condition is normally caused by biomechanical abnormalities such as flat feet or collapsed arches, working or doing physical activity on hard surfaces or training errors. The pain usually develops gradually and may be triggered by wearing inappropriate shoes.

Possible causes of foot and heel pain

Heel pain is most often caused by repetitive stress or other medical conditions and not necessarily from injury. While the most common cause of foot and heel pain is plantar fasciitis, there are other potential causes as well.

  • Plantar fasciitis: plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. This condition is common in people with unusually high or low arches.
  • Heel bursitis: When inflammation occurs in the bursa (fluid-filled sac) at the back of the heel, it is known as bursitis. This condition can be caused by wearing ill-fitting footwear or abnormal biomechanics that cause friction over the bursa such as your heels and arches falling in. Pain typically progresses as the day goes on.
  • Sever’s disease (heel pain): This is caused by inflammation of the growth plate in the heel and is most common in active children. You may notice your child limping or they may complain of heel pain during or after sporting activities
  • Stress fracture: This injury can occur as a response to repetitive stress, heavy manual labour, or strenuous exercise or sports. It is particularly common in runners and individuals with osteoporosis.
  • Achilles tendinosis: Also known as tendonitis or degenerative tendinopathy, this is a chronic condition that can occur when the Achilles tendon experiences progressive degeneration.

Other possible causes of heel pain include rupture of the Achilles tendon, a tear in the plantar fascia, systemic arthritis, bone bruise, poor posture, circulation problems, calcaneal cysts, and gout. If the pain is felt on the heel or the foot, it may be caused by a range of issues such as sprains, stress fractures, cuboid syndrome, tarsal coalition, or bunions or calluses.

Treatment options and when to see a podiatrist for heel pain

The good news is that most cases of heel and foot pain can be treated successfully and conservatively. Options for treatment include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, athletic taping, and orthotic devices. In severe cases or when conservative treatment measures are not sufficient, surgery may be an option.

If you think you may need to see a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis or another foot issue, Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic can help. Our podiatrists are friendly, caring and knowledgeable on a wide range of foot and heel issues. We take a personalised approach to every patient, designing a unique treatment plan to help with your particular symptoms and conditions. To learn more or book a consultation, contact Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic today.

The Importance of Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic Foot Care Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic
Diabetic Foot Care Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

Living with diabetes involves a gamut of treatment plans and careful management of your sugar intake and insulin levels. From maintaining a healthy, balanced diet to daily exercise, it’s important to be diligent in the routine care of your diabetes symptoms. Podiatrist diabetic foot care is an essential part of managing the side effects of diabetes. Our podiatrists are trained to guide you through diabetic foot treatment and help manage and prevent neuropathy, blood flow issues, foot deformities and ulcers. Additionally, our podiatrists are trained to assess and care for wounds and foot ulcers which is crucial for preventing infection and, in extreme circumstances, amputations. Understanding these conditions helps us to help you, by creating a personalised care plan and managing your pain while providing you with supportive and friendly service.

Understanding and preventing neuropathy

Neuropathy is nerve damage that has been caused by diabetes. Characterised by loss of feeling in your feet, the early symptoms of neuropathy are burning, tingling and numbness, or pins and needles in your feet. Since the nerve damage is extensive, the signals sent between your feet and your brain do not get delivered. This is dangerous because you cannot feel any trauma or injury to your feet which can result in infection and ulcers. Frequent monitoring by our podiatrists can help manage these symptoms and ensure the health of your feet. Additionally, preventing or delaying neuropathy can be done by trying to stay in your target glucose level, keeping your feet clean and inspecting them, checking for any blisters, cuts, hard skin or red areas. You should monitor numbness or tingling sensations, moisturise your feel regularly, and consider specialised socks and footwear. Early prevention is crucial in diabetic foot care and our podiatrists can monitor any symptoms with a few simple tests during routine visits.

Personalised diabetic foot treatment

Our friendly team is dedicated to providing you with expert and thorough care. We will assess your blood flow and nerves for any abnormalities and closely monitor any foot ulcers or wounds. We will guide you every step of the way through your podiatrist diabetestreatment. If your foot shape is changing due to neuropathy we will help find the right therapeutic shoe to keep you comfortable and show you how to maintain and moisturise your feet properly to prevent infection. We will provide callus management to prevent ulcers from forming, and if an ulcer does appear on your foot, we will ensure that it receives fast and effective care to prevent an infection from growing and spreading. It can be overwhelming to manage so many symptoms, but we are dedicated to making it manageable through our personalised care. From finding you the highest quality therapeutic socks and shoes, to teaching you how to safely care for your feet as part of your daily regimen, to providing you with quality neuropathy intervention, Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic is here to help.

A Podiatrist Keilor Can Trust

Fungal Nail Treatment Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic
Fungal Nail Treatment Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic is dedicated to being a part of the Keilor Downs community by providing the most caring and effective podiatric treatment the area can offer. Our podiatrists provide specialised care plans for every patient. We believe that since every patient is different, their care should be individualised for their needs and met with as many treatment options as possible. Amongst the conditions we manage, fungal nails is one of the most common, and with innovative treatment through photodynamic therapy, we can provide fast-acting management.

Fungal nails: what causes them?

Nail fungus is a common condition that causes the toenails to turn yellow and painfully thicken. The appearance of the nails can also vary and appear brittle and ragged, disfigured, dark coloured from build-up under the nail, and may even have an odour. Fungal nail infections can be caused by a variety of factors that result in the development of fungal organisms. For older people, fungal nails are often the result of diabetes, low blood flow and a weaker immune system. Younger people or very active individuals may get fungal nails from excessive sweating, walking barefoot (especially in damp communal areas like a pool or gym), or athlete’s foot. You can prevent nail fungus by washing your feet regularly, wearing socks and shoes that are absorbent and made from breathable material, and using antifungal powders or wearing shoes in communal areas. If you do need podiatric treatment because your nails become discoloured, misshapen and painful, we can help manage your fungal nails with the assistance of the most friendly and expert podiatrists in Keilor Downs area.

Innovative and non-invasive treatment

Our non-invasive photodynamic therapy treatment can help rid your fungal nails within just a few treatments! Using photochemical reactions and photosensitive gel, light and oxygen kills the fungal cells. The gel contains a dye that specifically targets fungal cell walls, making them vulnerable to the photodynamic light. This destroys the cell walls of the fungus without harming any of the healthy tissue near it. We first reduce the thickness of the infected nail and then apply the photodynamic gel to the nail. After ten minutes the PACT light is shown on the nail and then begins destroying the fungal cells. Painless and time efficient, PACT treatment sessions are scheduled based on the severity of your infection. As one of the only podiatric clinics in the western suburbs that offers photodynamic therapy, we are proud and committed to providing high quality, friendly and effective treatment for fungal nail infections and any other podiatric needs.

Quality Podiatrist in Sydenham & Taylors Lakes

Foot Pain | Heal Pain | Plantar Fasciiitis | Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic
Foot Pain | Heal Pain | Plantar Fasciiitis | Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

Do you have problems with your feet? Do you suffer from sore heels? Foot pain first thing after getting up in the morning? Our highly experienced podiatrists can treat these and many other foot-related issues. Our friendly and caring professionals are here to help. If you are looking for an exceptional local podiatrist in Sydenham or Taylors Lakes, look no further than Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic.

How we can help manage foot pain

A common issue podiatrists treat is plantar fasciitis. When there is inflammation in the connecting tissue between your heel and the ball of your foot, pain can occur in the arch or heel. This can cause discomfort, especially in the morning after your feet have been resting all night. There are many different factors that contribute to plantar fasciitis, such as the way you walk, exercise, or even the shoes you wear.

If you suffer from heel and arch pain, you do not need to suffer alone. We can help figure out what is causing this condition and create a personalised plan for treatment and pain management. Our podiatrists are experienced in treating plantar fasciitis and are more than happy to help.

How else can we help?

Our clinic provides many services, including:

  • General podiatry
  • Ingrown toenail treatment
  • Children’s foot care
  • Diabetes foot care
  • Sports podiatry
  • Orthotics
  • Heel pain & plantar fasciitis treatment
  • Photodynamic (PACT) Therapy for fungal toenails

There are many reasons why people visit a podiatrist, and our clinic is no different. We are happy to examine your feet and help treat your foot problems. Whether it’s corns, warts, customised shoe inserts, or blood flow issues, we can help.

More about our clinic

We are a new and forward-thinking clinic, having opened in February 2018, and are proud to serve the community at our Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic.

We have been operating out of Oak Park Foot Clinic since 2015 and have highly experienced podiatrists on our staff. We also have one of the two PACT machines in the western suburbs for treating fungal toenails.

We pride ourselves on personalised care. We realise that everyone is different, and therefore understand the importance of helping each person and their unique symptoms with a patient-specific, individualised approach. Our friendly and professional podiatrists are experienced in caring for feet of all different shapes and sizes.

Get help from a podiatrist in Sydenham

If you are suffering from any of the issues mentioned above, or feel you need to have your feet examined by a local Sydenham podiatrist, you can make an appointment online hereor call us on (03) 8361 5802. Our exceptional, experienced staff will work hard to help you and your feet feel better, with a personalised management strategy utterly unique to you.

Foot Pain | Heal Pain | Plantar Fasciiitis | Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

The Best Fungal Toe Nail Treatment

Fungal Nail Treatment Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic
Fungal Nail Treatment Melbourne | Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic

Do you suffer from thick, discoloured, ragged or brittle toenails due to a fungal infection? Are you looking for the best toenail fungus treatment? Instead of using at-home therapies which never really work, or taking oral medications which can have adverse side effects, there is another option. Toenail fungus treatment does not have to be frustrating.

We offer an alternative treatment to oral medication and medicated nail lacquers which is safe and also effective for fungal toenail treatment. Our office, conveniently located in Taylors Lakes, is home to a dedicated Photodynamic Therapy machine. Our friendly and helpful staff can help you with combatting toenail fungus, helping prevent future infections and permanent damage to nails by offering a personalised plan for your care.

How we help you

Our amiable and caring staff understand that every patient is unique, so we make sure to tailor every management and treatment plan to each person. To ensure that your fungal toe nail treatment is specially designed for what you need, we provide a personalised approach to foot care.

We have a unique Photodynamic Therapy (PACT) machine for toenail fungus treatment. PACT machines are few and far between, and our practice has one of only two in the western suburbs. These machines offer some of the best toenail fungus treatment because unlike oral medications they do not have harmful side effects such as liver damage. PACT treatment is also more successful than applying anti-fungal nail lacquers because it has a better penetration through the nail and can more easily destroy the fungal cells.

How PACT works

The PACT machine works by killing fungal cells using photochemical reactions between a gel, a special light, and oxygen. The treatment involves placing a photosensitive gel onto your affected nail. The gel bonds to your nail and the fungus in about ten minutes. Then, we expose the affected nail to light from the machine for nine and a half minutes which kills the fungal cells. The light exposure will not affect any healthy skin surrounding the treated area.

Before the treatment, the podiatrist will use a specialised instrument to thin the nail. If you have more severe fungus, we may also give you some highly concentrated urea to apply to the nail between treatments. Depending on how severe the case of fungal infection, the number of treatment sessions will vary.

Why choose us for toenail fungus treatment?

Our high standards for care and individualised treatment plans for fungal toe nail treatment make Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic an exceptional option for your foot care needs. Our specialised equipment offers a safe alternative to other methods of treatment for fungal infections. We know how important proper foot care is, and we will provide the best toenail fungus treatment we can, to help you and your feet feel better again.

Our helpful podiatrists, reasonable prices, and specific plans for care are just some of the reasons to come to us for toenail fungus treatment. Click here to make an appointment online.