Our El Paso Foot Doctors Provide Comprehensive Care, Including Advanced Therapies, for Nail and Skin Conditions
From dry, cracked heels to ingrown toenails, stubborn nail and skin conditions can make your feet howl with pain and discomfort. Sometimes, they can even make you too embarrassed to wear your favorite sandals.
Fortunately, The Foot Institute provides complete care for your family’s feet—inside and out! Our board-certified El Paso podiatrists offer the latest, most effective treatments for nail and skin issues. Feel better and get back on your feet—and back to your favorite activities—with confidence.
Our Skilled Specialists Address Wide-Ranging Skin and Toenail Issues
The skin on your feet and toenails is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in your overall foot health. Your skin acts as a protective barrier against infections, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information.
When problems arise, they can lead to discomfort, pain, and even mobility issues. That's why it's essential to address these conditions promptly and with expert care.
At The Foot Institute, Dr. Efren Buff De La Rosa leads a team of talented podiatrists, providing the highest standard of care for El Paso individuals and families. We help patients resolve numerous uncomfortable, unsightly, and painful skin and toenail problems, including:
- Extremely dry skin. Excessive dryness can cause the thick skin on the sole or back of the heel to crack, causing pain and increasing the risk of infection—especially in patients with compromised immune systems or underlying health issues.
- Corns and calluses. Friction or pressure on various parts of your feet can cause thick, hardened skin to form. Calluses develop on pressure points and are rarely painful. Corns, however, are typically smaller, deeper, hard in the center, and painful if pressed. They often form on the tops of the toes or between.
- Ingrown toenails. When the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, tenderness, redness, swelling, and pain can result. Ingrown toenails can sometimes lead to infection and, in some cases, can be recurring.
- Fungal toenails. Onychomycosis or fungal nail infections can cause your toenails to become discolored, thickened, brittle, and crumbly. These highly contagious infections thrive in warm, moist environments like public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools.
- Athlete’s foot. Sometimes called tinea pedia, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes symptoms such as dry, scaling, or peeling skin, inflammation or swelling, and itching and burning between the toes that can spread to other parts of the foot. Like fungal toenail infections, athlete’s foot thrives in warm, damp areas.
- Plantar warts. When the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the body through tiny cuts or cracks in the skin, rough, grainy growths called plantar warts can form on the soles of the feet. Warts can be uncomfortable or painful in weight-bearing areas, and the infections that cause them can continue for years.
A Special Note for People With Diabetes
For people with diabetes, proper foot care is crucial. Diabetes often leads to reduced sensation in the feet due to nerve damage (neuropathy), making it difficult to feel minor injuries or pressure points that could escalate into serious issues. Additionally, compromised circulation slows healing and increases the risk of infections and diabetic foot ulcers, which are difficult to heal and can lead to severe complications—including amputation in extreme cases.
People with diabetes should inspect their feet daily, keep them clean and moisturized, wear appropriate footwear, and seek regular podiatric care to catch and address any issues early.
These practices not only prevent immediate foot problems but also serve as an early warning system for changes in overall diabetes management. By maintaining healthy feet, you can preserve your mobility, independence, and quality of life.
Complete Care and Advanced Treatments to Help Your Feel Look and Feel Their Best
Don’t neglect your feet. When painful or unsightly nail or skin conditions strike, turn to the board-certified podiatrists at The Foot Institute for exceptional care. We offer wide-ranging treatment options, including state-of-the-art therapies for stubborn conditions like fungal toenails and plantar warts. Your treatment plan might include:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Footwear recommendations
- Oral and/or topical medications
- Sole Support custom orthotics
- Hyper Blue Laser therapy (for fungal nail infections)
- SWIFT treatment (for plantar warts)
After thoroughly examining your feet using our specialized protocols, your podiatrist will discuss your options and create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your condition, lifestyle, and budget. You can count on our El Paso podiatrists for capable and conscientious care!