Skin and Nail Conditions

Are painful podiatric skin or nail conditions making every step uncomfortable? When issues ranging from ingrown toenails to plantar warts threaten to break your stride, turn to the Foot, Ankle & Leg Center in Scottsdale for complete skin and nail care you can count on. 

Our experienced Scottsdale podiatrist, Dr. L. David Richer, knows just how frustrating these problems can be—especially when home remedies and over-the-counter products fail to provide lasting relief. His thorough approach to care focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of your discomfort, rather than masking the symptom, helping Phoenix-area patients find permanent solutions to podiatry-related skin and nail concerns. 

Skin and Nail Conditions We Treat 

Dr. Richer capably addresses all skin and nail issues affecting the feet. He regularly helps patients overcome conditions like: 

• Fungal nail infections. These infections can cause nails to become thick, discolored, and brittle. Left untreated, they can cause permanent damage or spread to other toenails.
• Ingrown toenails. When toenails grow into the surrounding skin, they can cause pain, redness, swelling, and infection. Our gentle treatments provide quick relief while preventing the condition from recurring.  
• Plantar warts. These highly contagious bumpy growths form on the weight-bearing areas of your feet, causing pain that can make walking uncomfortable. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), this infection enters the body through a small cut or crack in the skin. Plantar warts can persist for years without professional treatment. Our advanced therapies eliminate the virus, return the skin to normal, and prevent the infection from ever returning.
• Heel fissures. When the skin on your feet is too dry, cracks—called fissures—can form on the backs of your heels. Not only are these cracks painful, but they can lead to infection, which is particularly troubling for patients with diabetes, those who have numbness, or poor circulation to the feet.
• Corns and calluses. These thick patches of skin develop to protect your feet from frequent friction or pressure, but they can become painful if they grow too thick. In those with numbness of the feet, they may progress to open sores that can become infected.
• Athletes foot. This common fungal infection causes an itchy, stinging, or burning rash that typically starts between the toes but can spread to all parts of your feet, including the toenails. Our treatments eliminate the infection and relieve symptoms.

Exploring Our Advanced Treatments for Skin and Toenail Problems 

Our Scottsdale podiatry practice offers state-of-the-art treatments for the full range of podiatric nail and skin conditions. Dr. Richer reviews your symptoms, carefully examines your feet, discusses your treatment options, and recommends the most effective solutions for your needs and lifestyle. Our advanced therapies include:  

• Swift immunotherapy. This noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment uses specialized microwave energy to target plantar warts at the source and activate your body’s immune response to kill the virus that causes them. Most patients require three or four brief treatments to achieve complete resolution.  Once warts are cleared with Swift, you have immunity from contracting more plantar warts.
• MLS Laser therapy. Our revolutionary MLS laser system helps treat wounds, skin ulcers, and other skin and nail conditions by promoting healing at the cellular level. Laser therapy offers numerous advantages—it's painless and requires no downtime. 
• Lunula Laser therapy. Our advanced laser therapy device specifically targets the fungal infection of toenails by using 2 different wavelengths of laser light: one to target and kill the fungus and the other to stimulate an immune response and increase blood flow to the area. This pain-free treatment is quick and highly effective.