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Footease
Chiropody – FAQ’s
What
do podiatrists treat?
Corns
& Callus
Verrucae
Fungal infections - Athlete’s foot
Nail surgery – for in-growing or thicken toenails
Biomechanics – provision of insoles to control foot position
Wound care – including foot ulcers
The Quest for Happy Feet
These are 6 steps to follow regularly to keep your feet happy and
healthy.
1. Wash your feet daily with warm soapy water, followed by a thorough
dry, especially between the toes
2. Use a foot file or pumice stone to smooth rough skin. Take care over bony areas and
never continue if painful
3. Trim nails regularly and straight across – but not too short
4. Use a moisturiser suitable for your type of skin
5. Pain is a protective sensation; do not walk through pain, if your feet
hurt it is because something is wrong
6. Visit your Podiatrist
Cracked
Heels
Cracked
heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel
fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and
made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick
(callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but
when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and
the skin can bleed - in severe cases this can become infected.
What
are the symptoms of cracked heels
If the cracks are bad enough there will be pain on weight bearing, that
is not there when weight is off the heel. The edges or rim around the
heel will generally have a thicker area of skin (callus). Wearing open or
thin soled shoes usually make the symptoms worse.
What
causes cracked heels
Some
people tend to have a naturally dry skin that predisposes them to the
cracks. The thickened dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more
likely to crack is often due to mechanical factors that increase
pressures in that area (eg the way you walk).
Self
treatment for cracked heels
Applying an oil based moisturizing cream twice daily is really important
to get on top of this problem. A pumice stone can be used to reduce the
thickness of the hard skin.
Never try to reduce the hard skin your self with a razor blade or a pair
of scissors. There is a risk of an infection developing and taking too
much off.
Ingrown
Toe Nail (Onychocryptosis)
What
is an ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when part of the nail penetrates the skin,
which can often result in an infection. The ingrown nail can also apply
pressure in the nail fold area without penetrating the skin - this is not
technically an ingrown toe nail, but can also be painful (a corn/callus
is also common down the side of the nail and is a reaction to this
pressure, rather than the nail actually penetrating the skin).
What
are the symptoms of in ingrown toenail
Pain is the main symptom of an ingrown toe nail - usually just starting
as some minor discomfort. This may be just the pressure from the side of
the nail or it may be because the nail has actually penetrated the skin
down the side of the nail. The toe is not necessarily infected, but this
can develop after the nail penetrate the skin to become ingrown. The
infection can spread, making the toe red and inflamed (paronychia). A
collection of pus may also develop.
What
causes an ingrown nail
Poor cutting of the nail is most commonly blamed as being the cause of an
ingrown toe nail, but this is not necessarily the case. The following
factors are involved in the cause of ingrown toenails:
The
primary risk factor is the shape of the nail - a nail that is more curved
from side to side rather than being flat is more likely to become an
ingrown nail (incurvated nails). Some nails go down the side into the
nail fold area for a relatively large distance. A large portion of the
nail is almost vertical rather than being horizontal. The most severe of
these types of nail is called a 'pincer nail' in which both side of the
nail are very curved. The shape of the nail is usually inherited
(congenital), but it can be influenced by trauma and/or shoe pressure.
Poor
cutting of these types of nails can leave a sharp corner (or if worse, a
small spike) that will initially cause symptoms by putting pressure on
the skin and then later penetrate the skin. Trimming too far down the sides
is a common cause of an ingrown toe nail.
Footwear
that is tighter is more likely to increase pressure between the skin in
the nail fold and nail, increasing the risk on an ingrown nail.
Previous
trauma to the nail may alter the shape of the nail, making it more prone
to becoming an ingrown nail
Pressure
from the toe next to the nail that has ingrown can sometime be a factor
A
'chubby' or fleshy toe is more likely to have a nail grow into it. Those
whose feet swell are a lot are more prone to having this happen.
Self
treatment of the ingrown nail
The cornerstone of self treatment and prevention of ingrown toe nails
involves cutting the nail straight across to allow the corners to
protrude, so that they do not penetrate the skin. Cut the toe nails straight
across without tapering the corners. However, this can be difficult if
the nail is very curved down the side. In this case DO NOT 'dig' down the
sides - seek professional help for this.
It
is a myth that a V should be cut in the end of the nail to treat an
ingrown toe nail. The apparent reasoning behind this is that if you cut a
V in the nail, the edge of the nail will grow together as the nail grows
out. This does not happen - the shape of the nail is determined by the
growing area at the base of the toe, not the end.
Avoid
wearing shoes and socks that are too tight. Keep feet clean to prevent
the ingrown nail from becoming infected. Those with poor circulation or
diabetes should not do any self management of ingrown toenails but see a
Podiatrist
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