Gentle Foot Care
In the Comfort of Your Own Home
Mobile Foot Health Practitioner in South West Wales
Common Foot Problems
A Callus is the body's natural response of protection to the pressure and shearing forces exerted on areas of the feet. As your feet are supporting your entire weight, they are subject to a great deal of sheering stress, and the formation of hard skin can be the result. The callus is not flexible and does not have the 'give' that skin of normal thickness has, and therefore the soft tissue beneath the skin can become compromised and subject initially to discomfort, but also ultimately more prone to ulceration. I can remove calluses safely and hygienically for you, leaving your feet more comfortable, the skin softer and with a healthier suppleness.
It's easy to take our feet for granted, and we sometimes forget to look after them properly. Unfortunately, what can start as a minor problem, if left untreated, can lead to longer term health risks, reduced mobility and enjoyment of life. Some common foot problems are described below, all of which I can help you with.
Calluses
Cracked heels are extremely painful and are the result of a build up of callus that has split under the pressure of weight applied to your heels as you walk. The hard skin needs to be removed and moisturised to allow healing to take place, so that the skin can regain its natural suppleness to absorb impact. This may need to to be repeated regularly, but can be helped by avoiding open heeled footwear and by regular moisturization of the heels.
Cracked Heels
Fungal nails can be uncomfortable and unsightly, the nail texture becomes thickened, discoloured and often crumbly. There are different treatments available, one of them being to thin the nail to allow regular topical applications to penetrate deep into the nail to eradicate the fungus. Often a nail becomes infected with fungal organisms because of untreated tinea pedis (athletes foot).
Fungal Nails
Verrucae
A verruca is caused by the virus ‘Human Pappiloma Virus 2’, and can occur on the foot singly, or in clusters. Viruses cannot be ‘cured’; therefore the body’s immune system will eventually rid itself of the verruca, so if the verruca is not painful it is best to leave it to heal on its own. However, if it is painful it can be debrided to relieve pressure so that topical treatment can be applied whist waiting for it to heal.
Most over the counter verruca treatments contain salicylic acid which can damage surrounding skin, and must be used with care. Diabetics and people with circulation problems should not use these products, I can treat diabetics with alternative products.
Diabetic Footcare
People with diabetes are more likely to suffer neuropathy (numbness) and peripheral vascular disease (reduced blood supply to the feet), and are more susceptible to infections and ulceration. This means that diabetic patients need regular and vigilant foot care to ensure that any problems that arise with their feet are treated immediately, before complications arise. On the first appointment with me, diabetic patients will have a neurovascular assessment to check for nerve function and circulation.
Patients need to examine their feet daily to check for any possible wounds, as numbness may prevent the awareness of pain/discomfort.
Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a contagious fungal infection that usually appears on skin between the toes but can spread to toenails and hands. The affected skin may be itchy, scaly, dry, cracked or blistered.
Although not usually serious in itself, treatment can take a while and total eradication of the fungus requires diligent care. As well as applying antifungal treatments correctly, excellent foot hygiene is essential in order to speed up recovery, avoid spreading the infection and prevent athlete's foot returning.
Athletes Foot
