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Corns / Callus (hard skin)
Callus is caused by excess friction on any part of the foot. This causes an acceleration of the process of skin production. The dead cells are retained on the surface for longer and desquamation (skin shedding) is delayed causing a build up of thick skin. They are often painful as the hard skin is pressed back into the foot when walked upon. This can be caused by ill fitting shoes (high heels and flip flops) or be indicative of an underlying bio-mechanical problem. The callus needs to be removed and ideally the cause examined to prevent future build up.
Corns occur when the pressure caused by the callus is enough to exclude blood supply. The dead skin forms a horn shaped nucelus (Latin “cornu” = a horn). Every movement of the live skin will cause pain exactly as if a piece of glass is embedded in the skin. More callus then forms a protective layer over this in an attempt to isolate the corn and protect the living tissue.
There are several types of corn:
• “hard corns” – the most common
• “soft corns” – often found between the toes
• “seed corns” – typically found on very dry skin
Corns need to be professionally removed. This does not hurt because the skin being removed is dead and gives instant relief. However the cause of the corn needs to be examined. The off the shelf remedies are not effective and often hinder professional removal.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Ingrowing Toe Nails (Onychocryptosis)
Ingrowing toe nails occur when a spike or edge of the nail digs into the skin, causing the skin to become red, inflamed, bleeds easily and infection often enters the wound and pus may be present. The condition is extremely painful.
Often the cause is simply cutting the nails too short at the sides. The toe nails should remain level with the top of the “sulcis” of groove at the top of the nail. Diabetics and the elderly need these to be removed by a GP or hospital who may also need to prescribe antibiotics.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Involuted or “Pincer” Nails
Involuted nails are often mistakenly called in-growing toe nails. Involuted nails are nails which have become extremely curved and pinch the skin. The painful condition is eased with the appropriate podiatry care.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Thickened Nails (Onychogryphosis)
Nails become thickened due to damage to the nail bed i.e. where the nail grows from. The thickness of a nail can lead to pressure on the nail bed, leading to pain. Great relief can be gained with the appropriate podiatry care.
They can also be caused by fungal nail growth (see fungal nails).
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Fungal Nails
Fungi are plant like micro organisms without leaves or green parts. They thrive in a warm, dark, moist environment and can take several forms. The nail becomes either littered with white “islands”, or, if the infection is well established the nail becomes yellowish/green and crumbles. Debrading the nail surface can help which allows treatments to penetrate more effectively.
Superficial infections can be treated initially with Vick’s vapour rub (eucalyptus) although if it has taken a hold then topical treatments from the chemist or GP can be applied. A visit to the GP can provide an opportunity for a sample to be taken and sent for analysis to determine the fungal type. A GP may give antibiotics.
It is recommended that all footwear is treated with anti fungal sprays or tea tree.
Recent developments now include treatment with lasers which are being used as a fast, convenient and highly successful way of treatment.
Catherine now links with the Robert Warr Clinic in Cheltenham who provide this service.
NOTE: Diabetics, pregnant women or those on medication should always consult their GP before applying or taking over the counter treatments.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Sweaty Feet (Bromhidrosis)
Bromhidrosis is the medical term for sweaty feet, this is excessive perspiration of the foot and can improved with the appropriate treatment and advice from the podiatrist.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Athletes Foot (Fungal Infection)
People who suffer with sweaty feet often develop Athletes Foot which is a fungal infection, which causes severe itching, irritation and scaling of the skin, especially in between the toes. Nails can become infected with fungal spores which leads to thickening and discoloration.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Bunions
A Bunion is a bony deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. The big toe angles towards the middle of the foot and second toe. They are a progressive disorder, gradually the big toe leans further over the mid foot (Hallux Abducto Valgus ) causing secondary problems. This forces the first metatarsal bone to stick out from the side of the foot.
The bones can become misaligned and a painful, inflamed bump or bunion forms. Bunions can be extremely painful with symptoms such as pain or soreness, inflammation and redness, a burning sensation and numbness.
It is not known fully what causes them. They can run in families and as the anatomical position of the bones in the foot tends to be hereditary,an inherited faulty mechanical foot structure can make that foot type more prone to develop a bunion. As they are usually more common in women this would seem to indicate that faulty footwear exacerbates a tendency.
“Tailor’s bunions” can also form on the other side of the foot where the little toe starts to cross over the middle of the foot. Corns and callus can develop due to the instability of the foot. The toes rub together and this can cause Athlete’s foot.
Helping to ease the pain
- Protective sleeves, shields and support wraps can protect the “bump” and prevent shoes from rubbing.
- Choose footwear wisely which is “foot shaped” and has wide insteps, broad toes and soft soles.
- Cold compresses, ice and soaking the foot in Epsom salts can help.
- Avoid long periods of standing.
If you are still suffering a lot of pain despite the above measures it is time to see the GP for further advice and possible referral for surgery.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Hammer or “claw” toes
This is a deformity of the toe where it appears to retract to form a claw. The top of the toe can often come into contact with the ground causing secondary problems such as corns and blisters. Correction is usually only achieved by surgery but protection can be used in the form of gel cushions. Formation of this is often caused by a shortening of the extensor tendons caused by excessive pronation (inward foot collapse) caused by lowering of the arches.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
Verrucaes
Verrucaes are simply warts and are a very common viral infection. As they often occur on the sole of the foot, pressure causes them to become flat and press into the surrounding fresh skin causing pain.
They are caused by the human papova viruses (HPV) and their frequency seems to be related to the provision of swimming baths, sports centres and gyms. They are highly infectious.
There is no simple way to eradicate verrucae. In time they will eventually disappear by themselves. However, there are both physical and chemical methods for dealing with them:
Physical methods include paring with a scalpel blade which gives immediate relief from sensation caused by “pressing in” of the verruca. It is the best way to prepare a clean surface for chemical treatment.
Chemical methods include the use of salicylic acid (willow bark). This is applied weekly and allows removal of a considerable volume of infected tissues.
Recent developments now include treatment with lasers which are being used as a fast, convenient and highly successful way of treatment.
Catherine now links with the Robert Warr Clinic in Cheltenham who provide this service.
Note: Chemicals are only for use on healthy feet and must not be used by diabetics or patients with circulatory deficiencies.
Our Stroud based Foot care team can provide expert advice on all areas of Foot Care treatment in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.
