3 Creepy Foot Conditions and How to Treat Them
October is the month of witches and ghosts, and all things scary, and we at Goldsmith Podiatry thought this might be a good time to address some creepy-looking foot conditions with our Manhattan patients. If you find something on your feet or toes that is scary looking, don’t panic. Instead, contact our Upper West Side NYC office by calling: (212) 877-1002 to make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia. The foot doctor will do a complete examination of your feet and diagnose the source of your symptoms. Whether commonplace or complicated, you should not delay the early treatment of all foot conditions at their earliest stages.
Three conditions that might give you a scare include:
Fungal Infections—Although fungal infections occur frequently, their appearance may be somewhat gross. Athlete’s foot, especially if not caught early, may cause a red, scaly rash on your feet with weeping blisters. Symptoms of fungal toenails include discoloration and thickened nails that are crumbly at the edges. Depending on the severity of the infection and whether a bacterial infection accompanies it, the foot doctor may prescribe a topical and/or oral treatment. Fungal infections spread, however, so even if they’re not painful, don’t wait to get them evaluated.
Covid Toes—One of the stranger symptoms of the coronavirus is “Covid toes.” Patients who report this condition say it is similar in appearance to chilblains—red, itchy, discolored lesions on the toes that are painful. Covid toes are seen in patients otherwise asymptomatic, as well as those who have more severe symptoms. Although Covid toes usually clear up on their own, the foot doctor may prescribe a topical steroid cream to relieve pain and burning.
Ganglion Cysts—These soft, squishy cysts tend to form on the top of the foot and are fluid-filled sacs with a knot-like consistency usually associated with a tendon sheath or a joint capsule. The cause of ganglion cysts is not fully known, although it is thought to be trauma -- either an acute one or repetitive microtraumas. The cyst can enlarge or disappear. In most cases, the podiatrist will monitor the cyst. If it becomes painful because of friction with footwear or grows too large, the podiatrist may do aspiration of the cyst and injection of steroid medication.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of unusual foot symptoms. If you notice anything out of the ordinary about your feet or toes, your best bet is to contact us as soon as possible.