Same Day Appointments Available!
Call Us 24/7 (801) 396-9743
Salt Lake City * Sandy * West Jordan
Home » West Jordan » West Jordan Foot & Ankle Conditions » West Jordan Skin Conditions
Foot and ankle conditions can be both unsightly and embarrassing, and if left untreated, may even lead to serious consequences. This is even more true for diabetes patients, as they tend to be more vulnerable to ulcers, blisters, pain, and even nerve damage.
And these are exactly the kind of problems that podiatrists are trained to address.
Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM, Foot & Ankle Specialist, is one such podiatrist. As such, she provides professional medical treatment for conditions affecting the foot and ankle, including skin conditions.
Dr. Auger’s comprehensive approach to treatment for patients has served West Jordan and surrounding areas for over 24 years.
Many kinds of skin conditions can affect the feet and ankles, either as diseases in and of themselves, or as symptoms of other diseases. Early detection of these conditions often allows for more rapid, more effective treatment.
Allergic contact dermatitis has multiple visible symptoms that vary depending on the person, but usually include hives, scaly skin, blisters, and itching.
While foot care products can help most people, those with diabetes or poor blood circulation should always seek treatment for calluses. Self-treatment may lead to open sores or other complications.
When infections get bad, they rarely go away on their own, and patients will often need prescription medication among other treatments to heal.
Plantar warts can grow in clusters, and are usually painful. They can be removed through procedures such as laser removal.
Plenty of other skin conditions not exclusive to the feet may also present themselves on and around the foot area. Consult your podiatrist to help you identify any abnormalities you may have on the skin of your feet.
You want your entire foot to be healthy, including the skin, for optimal mobility and comfort. That is the goal Dr. Auger works toward for residents in and around West Jordan, and the reason she offers treatment for all these conditions and more.
The symptoms of skin conditions can vary depending upon which specific condition is affecting you. Common symptoms to look out for include redness, itchiness, raised bumps, visible warts, throbbing, and other obvious symptoms of a skin problem.
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, and as such, should not be used to self-diagnose. If you notice any of these symptoms and are worried of potential skin conditions, consult a medical professional immediately.
While skin of every color and shade has at least some reddish hue (everyone has a circulatory system), erythema as a symptom stands out with brighter reds than normal.
Histamines tell your body’s defense to get rid of any irritant in the area. It tells your lungs to cough or sneeze out pollen, tells your throat not to eat anymore seafood, and in the case of the skin of your feet, encourages you to scratch and dig at any invaders.
As common knowledge should remind you, however, you should do everything in your power not to scratch. While you may dig out the source of the irritation, dirt and bacteria around your nails can lead to additional infections.
Lesions usually indicate that conditions in the affected area are getting worse. If you find any strange changes in the skin around your feet, contact your podiatrist as soon as possible.
One thing to keep in mind is that symptoms found on the skin of your feet may be more difficult to treat than those found on other parts of your body.
Human skin is exceptionally good at keeping things out of your body; the thicker the skin, the more difficult it is to invade. Meaning that anything that manages to get through is also very good at bypassing your defenses.
Unfortunately, this also means that it’s hard to get to anything that managed to go through. And as the feet have thicker skin compared to everywhere else, infections that take hold can last a very long time.
Couple this with the fact that shoes are often moist, dark environments ideal for microbial growth, and that the feet have to constantly support weight and pressure. It’s easy to see how many things can easily go from bad to worse.
This is why medical professionals recommend treating skin conditions early, especially when it comes to the feet. Untreated symptoms are likely to worsen with time, becoming more difficult to address, and eventually taking a toll on comfort and mobility.
Treating skin conditions early usually means that treatment can remain mild and uninvasive. On the other hand, waiting too long often means more serious treatments plans become an option, sometimes leading to surgery, or in the worst of cases, amputation.
Dr. Auger’s personalized treatment plans vary based on the patient’s needs. That said, depending on your case, recommendations may include new shoes that conform to the foot’s shape and do not cause pressure areas, shoe inserts, medications, or surgery.
Surgical solutions usually involve removing any tissue affected with the condition. In the worst of cases, such as when a bacterial or fungal infection has gotten out of hand, your doctor may discuss the possibility of an amputation.
If you are in West Jordan and have any skin conditions on your feet you would like to address, don’t wait. Dr. Elizabeth E. Auger accepts same-day appointments, so there is no reason to delay.
Call (801) 509-9959 and get started on your treatment plan towards healthier, happier, prettier feet today.
1561 W 7000 S, Suite 200
West Jordan, Utah 84084
(801) 509-9959
3934 S 2300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
(801) 396-9743