General Foot Care

The feet need appropriate care, just like any other part of our body. The feet can often be subject to trauma or environmental stressors that can leave them in need of care. Regular trips to a Podiatrist help to keep the feet in an optimal condition.

Callus and corns

Callus and corns are thickened areas of skin which cause discomfort and pain. They occur wherever there is increased stress on the skin, such as the tops of toes, balls of the feet and the heels. These sites can become painful as the hard layer of skin damages the soft deeper layers. Without treatment, these areas can form wounds which can become infected. A Podiatrist can reduce this hard skin and offer ways to reduce or prevent excessive skin stress.

Nail care

Toenail care is an important part of foot health. The toenails can become hard and thickened, can change shape and can even cut into the skin and create infection. Regular visits to a Podiatrist can help to prevent problems with nail growth.

Skin and nail infections

  • Fungal skin infection - athletes foot, or tinea, is a common skin condition. It is where the feet are often wet, inside a shoe for long periods of time and warm. fungus is a normal part of our skin biome and when the conditons for growth are perfect they cause infection. The fungus digest the protein in the top layer of skin, making it often red, itchy and peeling.

  • fungal nail infection - similar to tinea, fungal nail infections require the right conditions to grow. For the nail to become infected, it first must be damaged, allowing fungus to get into the nail. It often changes the colour of the nail and can make it brittle and chalky.

  • bacterial infection - Bacteria, like fungus, is a normal part of our skins biome. Similarly when in a warm, damp and dark environment it can thrive. Key differences from fungal infections is strong odour and appearance of small dents in the the skin.

  • Viral infection - plantar warts are a common viral infection of the feet. They cause painful round lesions to form on the feet and can grow if your immune system is weakened. Once outside the body, viral cells can only survive for a short time in a wet environment. Common places to pick it up are public showers and public pools.

  • A visit to the Podiatrist can provide you with treatments for all of these ailments and give you the right tools to manage and continue treatment at home. If you think that you suffer from any of these ailments, please call us or book an appointment online with the button below.