Foot & Ankle Dermatology Care in Seattle
Many skin conditions affecting the feet and ankles are automatically referred to a dermatologist. While dermatologists are experts in diseases of the skin throughout the body, foot and ankle physicians (podiatrists) diagnose and treat many of these same conditions every day—often while also identifying the underlying mechanical, vascular, neurologic, or medical problem causing them. The foot and ankle are an anatomic region, and podiatry is the specialty dedicated to that region. A foot and ankle physician can first evaluate the problem, establish the diagnosis, and determine the appropriate course of care. When additional expertise is needed, that care can be coordinated as part of the treatment plan.
At Seattle Foot and Ankle Center, Dr. J. John Hoy provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of skin, nail, and soft tissue conditions affecting the feet and ankles. Because these problems frequently overlap with biomechanics, diabetes, circulation, sports injuries, and wound care, seeing a foot and ankle specialist first often leads to a faster diagnosis and more complete treatment plan.
Why Choose a Podiatrist for Foot & Ankle Skin Conditions?
Your feet are different from the rest of your skin.
The skin on the soles is thicker, subjected to tremendous pressure, exposed to moisture inside shoes, and closely associated with the bones, tendons, nerves, and joints beneath it. A painful skin lesion may actually be caused by abnormal foot mechanics. A recurring rash may be related to shoe wear, excessive sweating, fungal infection, or diabetes.
A podiatrist evaluates both the skin problem and what is causing it.
Instead of simply treating the visible lesion, Dr. Hoy also determines whether pressure, deformity, circulation problems, nerve disorders, infection, athletic activity, or underlying medical conditions are contributing to the problem.
Common Foot & Ankle Skin Conditions We Treat
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections affecting the feet.
Symptoms may include:
- Itching
- Burning
- Scaling
- Cracking between the toes
- Redness
- Peeling skin
- Blisters
- Odor
Treatment may include:
- Prescription antifungal medications
- Topical therapies
- Nail treatment if fungal toenails are also present
- Shoe disinfection recommendations
- Moisture control
- Prevention of recurrence
Fungal Toenails (Onychomycosis)
Many patients think thick yellow toenails are simply cosmetic.
In reality, fungal nails can:
- Cause pain
- Make shoes uncomfortable
- Increase risk of bacterial infection
- Contribute to diabetic foot complications
- Spread to other nails
Dr. Hoy determines whether nail changes are truly fungal or caused by trauma, psoriasis, eczema, or other conditions before recommending treatment.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts often resemble calluses.
Accurate diagnosis is important because treatment differs significantly.
Treatment options may include:
- Debridement
- Prescription medications
- Cantharidin
- Cryotherapy when appropriate
- Surgical removal
- Pressure offloading
- Biopsy if diagnosis is uncertain
Corns and Calluses
Many painful “skin problems” are actually mechanical problems.
Recurring calluses frequently develop because of:
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Bone prominences
- Abnormal walking mechanics
Rather than repeatedly shaving calluses, Dr. Hoy works to reduce the pressure causing them.
Treatment may include:
- Professional debridement
- Padding
- Orthotics
- Shoe modifications
- Surgical correction when necessary
Ingrown Toenails
Painful ingrown toenails commonly become infected.
Treatment may include:
- Partial nail removal
- Permanent nail procedures
- Infection treatment
- Prevention of recurrence
Many procedures are performed comfortably in the office.
Foot Eczema and Dermatitis
Inflammatory skin conditions affecting the feet include:
- Contact dermatitis
- Shoe allergy
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Atopic dermatitis
- Chronic irritation
Dr. Hoy identifies whether symptoms represent eczema, fungal infection, psoriasis, bacterial infection, or another condition requiring different treatment.
Psoriasis of the Feet
Psoriasis can affect both the skin and the nails.
Because nail psoriasis often resembles fungal infection, proper diagnosis is essential before beginning treatment.
Heel Fissures (Cracked Heels)
Painful heel cracks may become deep enough to bleed or become infected.
Treatment focuses on:
- Debridement
- Moisturizing therapy
- Pressure reduction
- Treatment of underlying fungal infection when present
- Correction of abnormal foot mechanics
Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
Excessive foot sweating contributes to:
- Athlete’s foot
- Odor
- Blisters
- Skin breakdown
- Chronic infections
Treatment may include prescription medications and strategies to reduce moisture.
Skin Infections
Foot infections may include:
- Cellulitis
- Abscesses
- Paronychia
- Bacterial infections
- Infected ulcers
Prompt diagnosis is important because untreated infections can spread rapidly, particularly in patients with diabetes.
Diabetic Foot Skin Problems
Patients with diabetes frequently develop:
- Dry skin
- Fissures
- Calluses
- Ulcers
- Fungal infections
- Nail problems
Regular podiatric care significantly reduces complications and helps prevent limb-threatening infections.
Suspicious Skin Lesions
Not every lesion on the foot is benign.
Dr. Hoy evaluates:
- Changing moles
- Pigmented lesions
- Non-healing sores
- Chronic ulcers
- Suspicious growths
- Skin cancers affecting the feet
When appropriate, biopsy or referral is arranged promptly.
When Dermatology and Podiatry Work Together
Some conditions benefit from collaboration between specialists.
Dr. Hoy coordinates care with dermatologists when patients require advanced treatment for:
- Autoimmune skin disorders
- Complex psoriasis
- Severe eczema
- Bullous disorders
- Rare skin diseases
- Advanced skin cancers
Because your feet involve both skin and musculoskeletal structures, podiatry often serves as the most appropriate starting point.
The Advantage of Seeing a Foot & Ankle Specialist First
Many patients are surprised to learn that the visible skin problem is only part of the diagnosis.
For example:
- A recurring callus may actually be caused by a hammertoe.
- Thick toenails may result from repeated running trauma rather than fungus.
- Heel cracks may reflect abnormal gait mechanics.
- A wart may actually be a skin tumor requiring biopsy.
- Persistent “athlete’s foot” may actually be eczema or psoriasis.
- Chronic skin breakdown may signal diabetes, poor circulation, or nerve damage.
Treating only the skin often allows the problem to return.
Treating the underlying cause offers longer-lasting results.
Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Care Under One Roof
At Seattle Foot and Ankle Center, Dr. Hoy provides complete evaluation and treatment, including:
- Comprehensive diagnosis
- Skin and nail evaluation
- Digital imaging when indicated
- In-office procedures
- Biopsy when appropriate
- Custom orthotics
- Pressure offloading
- Wound care
- Diabetic foot care
- Surgical treatment when necessary
- Coordination with dermatology, vascular surgery, infectious disease, endocrinology, and primary care physicians
Our goal is not simply to improve the appearance of your feet—but to restore comfort, function, and long-term foot health.
Why Patients Choose Dr. J. John Hoy
For more than 25 years, Dr. Hoy has helped patients throughout Seattle diagnose and treat both common and complex foot and ankle conditions. As a board-certified foot and ankle physician and surgeon, he combines medical dermatologic evaluation of the feet with expertise in biomechanics, sports medicine, diabetic limb preservation, wound care, and reconstructive surgery.
Rather than treating symptoms alone, Dr. Hoy focuses on identifying the underlying cause of each condition and creating a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve pain, prevent recurrence, and keep patients active.
Working Together with Dermatologists
Dermatologists are experts in diseases of the skin, hair, and nails and are important partners in caring for patients with foot and ankle skin disorders. We collaborate when lesions require specialized dermatologic evaluation while managing the structural, biomechanical, pressure-related, and surgical conditions that frequently contribute to foot symptoms. Together, we help ensure patients receive comprehensive care for both the underlying skin condition and the associated foot problem.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have a persistent rash, wart, fungal infection, painful callus, thick toenail, suspicious skin lesion, or another skin condition affecting your feet or ankles, don’t assume you need to see a dermatologist first.
A comprehensive evaluation by Dr. J. John Hoy at Seattle Foot and Ankle Center can often provide both the diagnosis and treatment you need—while identifying underlying foot problems that might otherwise be missed.
Schedule your appointment today and receive comprehensive foot and ankle care from a physician who treats both the skin and the structures beneath it.
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