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Podiatrists receive lengthy, in depth training on the many skin and nail conditions that can affect the feet. Most commonly, the weight of our body and movement of the feet during walking and standing can cause pressure in specific areas. Sometimes this results in areas of thickened or hard skin (callus). It can also cause focussed areas of intense pressure over bony areas, which can result in corns being formed.  If they are not treated for long periods of time corns and calluses can become very uncomfortable or even painful. This can make walking difficult and is known to contribute to the risk of falls in the elderly. In those with some medical conditions untreated corns or calluses have the potential to lead to the formation of an ulcer beneath them.

 

If your eyesight or general health is poor trying to remove corns or callus yourself should be avoided due to the risk of injury and subsequent infection. If you are diabetic then over the counter remedies are generally not recommended - your podiatrist will advise you further on the reasons for this. Podiatrists can help by removal of callus and corns using a skilled technique known as debridement. They can also help by providing small devices to reduce pressure or a full biomechanical assessment and insole prescription if the problem is being caused by the way your lower limbs are functioning.

 

Cracked heels are known in podiatry as heel fissures. They can be very unsightly, can occur in otherwise healthy people and if they are deep be very painful and difficult to treat at home. A podiatrist can help with heel fissures by removing the callus surrounding the fissure and reducing the inelastic hard skin around the heel margin.

 

Verrucae are caused by a viral infection. They are also known as plantar warts because they’re caused by the same virus that causes warts in other places on the body. A verruca can become painful because on the soles of the feet they build up callus on the surface which becomes flattened and presses into the foot. They can also look unsightly. Most verrucae will eventually clear up on their own, but treatment can speed up this process. Various options are available for treating verrucae, which will be discussed with you at your appointment.

 

With regard to nails, podiatrists often treat thickened nails which may result from trauma to the toe or from a fungal infection. It is important that nails are not allowed to become too thick, as the downward pressure from shoes can make them very painful and can in certain cases lead to ulerations underneath the nail. Podiatrists use specialist tools to reduce the thickness of nails. They can also provide advice and/or treatments to address the underlying infection.

 

An ingrowing nail (known as onychocryptosis) punctures the flesh of the toe. It may feel like a splinter and be very painful. It may also cause pus and bleeding and result in infection. Although usually affecting the big toe, ingrown nails can also affect other toe.

 

A nail that grows either curled over at the sides (involuted) or very broad and flat may grow into the flesh, which can be painful and appear red and sore. A podiatrist can help by removing the part of the nail causing discomfort, which may then regrow without any problems. If the problem persists, part or all of the nail can be removed under local anaesthetic - see Nail Surgery.