National Feet Week: Care For Your Feet With A Medical Pedicure

What Is A Medical Pedicure?

A medical pedicure assesses and treats conditions of the toenails and the skin of the feet. A medical pedicure is performed by a health professional such as a podiatrist. This professional is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat dysfunctions and diseases of your feet. Your podiatrist will seek to gain an understanding of your medical history and overall health in relation to pain, discomfort, and the complications you are experiencing. During your medical pedicure appointment your doctor will check for:

• Adequate circulation to your feet and toes
• Proper nerve function and response
• Signs of bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
• Symptoms of skin pathologies like calluses and corns
• Indications of nail abnormalities such as thickened or discolored nails and ingrown toenails
• Symptoms of foot pain, tightness, and stiffness

After your podiatrist has completed a comprehensive examination and assessed your feet for a variety of conditions, they will formulate a customized treatment plan to restore your feet to full health.

Treatment may include:

• Treatment of pain
• Reduction of thickened skin
• Removal of calluses and painful corns
• Nail trimming and shaping
• Treatment of ingrown toenails
• Wart therapy
• Prescription of oral or topical medications (prescription or over-the-counter) to treat infection
• Education of best practices for foot health and practices to avoid the spread of infection

Medical Pedicures For Optimal Foot Health From NYC Podiatrists

If you are seeking to have soft feet with prettily painted toenails, a cosmetic pedicure might be the right choice for you. But if you are experiencing foot pain, nail or skin abnormalities, or signs of infection, a medical pedicure is just what the foot doctor ordered. If you have underlying health conditions that can affect your foot health like diabetes or gout, regular medical pedicures will allow your podiatrist to monitor your condition and immediately treat any concerns. 

The To Healthy Feet Team of expert NYC foot doctors is committed to ensuring that every New Yorker can walk without pain, confident of their foot health. We provide accurate diagnosis and comprehensive foot and ankle care and have the tools necessary to provide a variety of tailored treatment approaches at each of our Manhattan Podiatry Clinics. If you are experiencing foot pain or suffering due to foot infections or an ingrown toenail, call To Healthy Feet Podiatry at 1-917-398-3668 or fill out the contact form to book your appointment at our Upper East Side, Downtown, Midtown, or Times Square locations today.

FAQ

Q: How should I clip my nails to prevent an ingrown toenail?
A: They should be cut straight across. Cutting them too short and curving the edges can cause the nail to grow into the skin and become ingrown.

Q: Are there any home remedies I can try to help with my ingrown toenail?
A: Yes! If possible, try wearing an open-toed shoe to take pressure off of the painful toenail. Soak the toe in warm water with a teaspoon of Epsom salt for pain relief. If you notice any signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the affected area, you should seek medical treatment right away.

Q: How can I tell if I have a nail fungal infection?
A: Typical signs of a fungal infection of your toenails include:

• Thickened, brittle, crumbly, or ragged toenails
• Discoloration (could be white, yellow, or brown)
• Distorted shape
• A darkening under your nail caused by debris buildup 
• Slightly foul smell

If you suspect that you have a fungal infection, your podiatrist can provide treatment in the form of oral medications or medicated topical treatments.