Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

Athletes foot is a podiatric condition in which the patient contracts a highly contagious foot fungus. This can typically be contracted in damp and moist areas, like public pools, locker rooms, or showers. If you’re worried that you might have Athletes Foot, visit Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC., in NJ. Dr. Frank Killian or Dr. Sameep Chandrani are happy to assist you with your medical needs.   Athletes Foot once contracted, often affects the areas between the toes. It begins as a red and itchy rash. Ignored, the skin will become sensitive before finally turning white and peeling. Like any bacterial infection, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. Bacterial infections weaken the body and make it vulnerable to further infections. Cracks that appear in the peeling skin on the foot are a gateway for harmful bacteria. Athletes foot can also be transferred to other parts of the body through bedding and clothing. In serious cases of athletes foot, “mocassin foot” can occur, resu...

Plantar warts are benign (noncancerous) growths that can appear on the sole, heel, or ball of the foot. They can be described as abrasive or spongy to the touch, color varying from gray to brown or yellow. The signature aspect of a wart is the dark dots in the center of it. If you have noticed anything similar to this on your feet, contact Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in NJ. Dr. Frank Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani are available to assist you.   Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) entering your body through your feet. This typically happens through the bottom of the feet in public areas like locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools. You’re at a higher risk of catching the virus that causes plantar warts if you experience continual exposure to HPV through common public areas. A weakened immune system can also raise your chances.   Plantar warts are diagnosed after a patient notices an uncomfortable sensation or lump on their foot. If left untreated, plantar warts ...

When standing in a neutral position, most people have a gap under the arch of their foot. The inner part of the foot is slightly raised off the ground. People with flat feet or fallen arches either have no arch, or it is very low. Flatfoot is a complex disorder, with many symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. If you experience symptoms of flatfoot, visit the doctors at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry for treatment. A significant number of people with flat feet experience no pain and have no problems. Some, however, may experience pain in their feet, especially when connecting ligaments and muscles are strained. The leg joints may also be affected, resulting in pain. If the ankles turn inwards because of flat feet, the most likely affected areas will be the feet, ankles, and knees. Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the condition. A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, including the doctor, may detect. If you h...

If you’ve noticed your toenails have turned green, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry are ready to help. Bacterial infections are a common cause of discoloration and we can provide treatments for them. But preventing recurrences will likely require a change in the patient’s lifestyle. The bacterium that causes green nails, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thrives in damp places. It often occurs alongside fungal infections. Toenails and fingernails form a seal that keeps out moisture, but when they are damaged, bacteria are able to enter the body. Infections are most common among people whose work keeps them in contact with water and exposes them to minor nail injuries. Toenail infections are also common when peoples’ sweat pools in shoes they spend hours wearing. When a patient comes in with darkly discolored toenails, we may do tests to determine whether the cause is an infection or something that looks similar, such as melanoma. If the discoloration is clearly caused by bacteria, we can recommend vi...

Discolored toenails aren’t just an aesthetic problem; they could be a sign of a serious illness. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry offer a variety of professional treatments for different toe-related problems, but for best results, we depend on our patients coming to us for early interventions. Therefore, we wanted to inform people of just what different types of discoloration could indicate. The most common cause of toenail discoloration is fungal infection. This will cause the toenails to turn a yellow-brownish color or have white spots and make them misshapen and bad-smelling. They may become brittle and pitted. But toenails can also fall prey to bacterial infections, which could cause them to turn green. Dark stains could be the result of an injury. Blood pooling under a nail would look black or purple, and in a person with difficulty feeling their toes, it may be their best indicator that they have a bruise. But cancerous growths can look similar to bruises, so it’s dangerous to take fo...