If you notice small bumps around the heel or weight-bearing areas of your feet, you may have developed plantar warts. When the HPV virus enters the skin through an opening, such as a small cut or scrape, plantar warts can form and often cause discomfort. Some indicators that you have plantar warts include feeling pain in the soles of the feet when standing or walking and the formation of small fleshy growths, sometimes including a tiny black dot in the center of the bump.
To best prevent getting plantar warts, it’s advised to keep your hands and feet clean and wash them regularly. It’s also important to ensure you wear appropriate footwear in public areas such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and communal showers. Because plantar warts are contagious, it’s especially important for those with a weaker immune system to make sure they take the above precautions. If you believe you’ve developed plantar warts and are experiencing severe pain, swelling, redness, or bleeding, it’s advised to seek professional care.
For more information about plantar warts, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and advised treatment plan.
Cutera Laser Treatment
Fungal toenails (onychomycosis) is a common infection that causes nails to become yellow, thickened, and crumbly. They may even separate from the nail bed and emit a foul odor. Traditional treatments are not always effective against this stubborn infection, and have sometimes been linked with harmful side effects.
What is an Effective and Safe Treatment of Toenail Fungus?
Cutera GenesisPlus is an FDA-approved laser treatment that safely and effectively eradicates toenail fungus without harming surrounding healthy tissue. This leading edge laser therapy focuses a precise beam of laser light which penetrates the layers of nail, and nail bed, where the fungus embeds itself. The Cutera laser raises the temperature where the micro-organisms causing the infection are living, which kills them.
As the nail grows out, healthy nail tissue grows in and pushes out the area of the nail that had been infected.
Is Cutera GenesisPlus Laser Painful?
The advanced technology of Cutera GenesisPlus is non-invasive and allows the podiatrist to monitor and control the temperature of the nail based on patient feedback. Any adjustments will be made to keep the patient comfortable during treatment.
How Many Cutera Laser Treatments Will I Need?
The number of Cutera Laser treatments required depend on how severe the toenail infection is. However, many patients experience an improvement in their condition after only one or two treatments. Each treatment can last from 20-40 minutes and sometimes they are spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
Most patients can resume normal activities right away following treatment sessions and there is no recovery period. Your podiatrist will schedule follow up appointments to ensure that the fungus has been totally eradicated, and that your new nail will grow in healthy and beautiful.
If you believe you have a toenail infection, make an appointment right away with your podiatrist to examine you and discuss Cutera Laser Therapy treatments. Remember-toenail fungal infections will not go away on their own, and usually get worse if they are not treated effectively. Your nail may become misshapen and separate even farther from your nail bed, making it difficult to walk or wear shoes.
