What is Callus?

Callus is a build up of skin, it feels hard and is sometimes smooth and yellowish in colour. Typically callus builds up on the soles and heels of your feet and sometimes on the side of your big toe. Callus is caused by friction and mechanical stress to the foot. Badly fitting shoes or an abnormal way of walking are the cause of the formation of callus.

Treating calluses at home: You can treat calluses at home by using a pumice stone and foot file to remove the build up of dry or hard skin.  Do this BEFORE a bath when the skin is dry…it is easier to file dry skin and the results are better! Remember to regularly moisturise your feet.

Foot Ambulance Treatment for callus:

If the callus is severe and it hurts when you walk it could be harbouring a hard corn. In these instances professional foot health care is definitely required and you should consult a Podiatrist, Chiropodist or a Foot Health Practitioner. The callus needs to be hygienically and safely debrided with use of a drill and then carefully parred with a scalpel.  The area where the callus was present can then be filed smooth. Never attempt to remove callus like this at home get professional foot advice.

Foot Ambulance Treatments for fungal nails and athletes foot:

If the fungal nails are very thick they can safely and painlessly be debrided using the drill and small burrs, the aim here is to reduce the fungal nail to a manageable thickness and trim the fungus from the nail. Phytonail or Tea Tree Oil is then applied to help heal and protect the fungal nails.  Your doctor may also prescribe oral medication for fungal nail conditions. Be aware that oral medication is not always given readily as there can be side effects.

Itchy Athlete’s Foot & Unsightly Nail Infections

Are fungal foot infections contagious?

At some stage anyone can get a fungal infection and have fungal nails or athletes foot. Fungal infections of the feet are very common and contagious and can take a while to eradicate completely.

The skin between the toes may become sweaty, cracked, sore and very itchy, this indicates athletes’ foot. The nails themselves can also become thick and yellow or brown in colour, the end of the nail may start to crack or crumble. This indicates a fungal infection of the nail.

You may also notice a smell even when you have washed your feet. Smelly feet are associated with fungal nails and fungal feet or athletes’ foot.

Help for fungal nails or athletes foot:

It is critical to keep feet clean and dry. Wash and dry feet thoroughly especially between the toes. Remember to change your towel daily so you do not re-infect your feet.

Clean any bathroom mats regularly and change shoes and socks. Spraying the inside of shoes with athletes foot spray can also help. Avoid shoes that make your feet sweaty and smelly. Sweaty feet are a breeding ground for athletes’ foot. Try to wear leather not plastic shoes and do not live in trainers! - Get new slippers too and remember to wear socks.

You can self-treat with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams but remember athletes foot sprays are better between the toes than athlete foot or fungal creams. Why? Creams create a moist environment and that is just what we are trying to prevent between the toes!

Foot baths can be used with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil to help reduce the itching and burning of athletes’ foot. Remember to wash out your footbath and cleanse it properly – refer to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Annoying Verruca

What does a verruca look like?

A verruca is usually slightly raised and circular in shape and has a thickened rim of surrounding skin. You can get little clusters of verrucas and you may even see little black dots which are blood capillaries under the surface of the skin.

Most people have a verruca at some stage in their lives. They are a contagious virus (HPV, The Human Papilloma Virus)  A verruca is associated with public areas and specifically swimming pools or warm moist environments where the contagious verruca virus invades the foot through small cuts or abrasions.

The verucca can be spread from person to person by contact or via surface contact.

Removing a verruca:

A verruca is very difficult to treat successfully and quickly.  If you have more than one verruca and one is treated successfully quite often the remaining verrucas  will go of their own accord.

Over the counter verruca remedies can be successfully used but only in conjunction with regular applications and regular appointments with a Foot Health Practitioner. If you have a verruca foot protection must be worn in public swimming pool areas.

Remember to check the entire family regularly for verrucas and never share socks or shoes with others.

Foot Ambulance Verruca Treatments for Children:

I treat children’s' verruca using scalpel parring and applications of TT50 verruca cream. This cream contains Oil of Maleluca and urea to penetrate deeply and help fight HPV, the cause of a verruca. This treatment is successful in most cases if the parent and child are consistent and continue to apply TT50 verruca cream twice daily to the affected area. 

Foot Ambulance Verruca Treatment for Adults:

I treat adults by scalpel parring and applications of Glutarol which contains Glutaraldehyde a virucidal that inactivates the wart virus. It also acts as an anhidrotic, drying the warts. This treatment is suitable for diabetics and for use during pregnancy or breast feeding.
I do not freeze the verruca.

Sore Cracked Heels

Why do I have sore heels?

Many people have hard and cracked heels in the summer but for some this is an all year problem. The symptom of a sore heel or cracked skin is pain on weight bearing and thickening of the skin around the back of your heel or plantar cancaneal area.  This thickened skin is called callus.

You will find that flip flops and sandals with thin soles offering little support will only make the symptoms of heel pain worse so wear supportive shoes in the summer months. Some people have sore heels and callus due to the way in which they walk and how pressure is applied to the heel and the foot.

Regular filing of hard skin and callus will help but only when combined with specialist heel moisturising creams.

Foot Ambulance Treatment for heel pain and cracked skin:

Regular and professional filing and creaming with a heel balm. It may be necessary to debride the area allowing the cracks to heel more successfully. If the cracks in the heel become infected an antiseptic cream and foot pads may need to be made and applied. Never use a razor, scissors or knife to remove any hard skin or cracked skin – always seek professional help from a Foot Health Practitioner.

In-grown Toenails and Sore Toes

What causes an in-grown nail?

An in-grown nail is known as onychocryptosis. This is a condition in which the nail penetrates the nail bed and the nail becomes embedded in the skin. Many people have a sore toe or a swollen toe and this can be an in-grown nail.

If you have an in-grown nail it is often caused by tight footwear or shoes that are too small. If you cut nails too short or incorrectly you may also get an in-grown nail or a swollen infected toe.  Some people are more prone to in-grown nails due to the natural shape of their toenail. Cutting the nail correctly is very important – ask for advice from a Foot Health Practitioner, Podiatrist or Chiropodist so you know how to cut your toenails correctly.

Your Podiatrist or Chiropodist may also operate on the nail to remove a small section of the nail to relieve the condition more permanently.

Foot Ambulance Treatments for in-grown nails and sore toes:

The painful nail can be cut to remove the pressure on the nail bed itself and cream applied to the toe and nail area. If the in-grown nail has become infected and there is pus around the nail a referral can be made to your doctor for appropriate medication prior to further treatment. Toe pain and a swollen toe is often the first sign of an in-grown nail.

Foot & Heel Pain

I have foot and heel pain is it Plantar Fasciitis?

One of the most common causes of heel pain or foot pain is Plantar Fasciitis. The foot pain is extreme, first thing in the morning when you get up or if you have been sitting for long periods. Plantar Fasciitis means inflammation of your Plantar Fascia. This is a strong band of tissue (like a ligament) that stretches from your heel to your middle foot bones in your foot. This ligament supports the arch of your foot and also acts as a shock-absorber in your foot. Foot and heel pain is often accompanied by a tight Achilles Tendon.

A Heel Spur can also be the cause of heel pain and is related to Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is often caused by repetitive excess forces typically walking or standing for long periods. A Podiatrist may be required to analyse the way that you walk and advice may be sought on orthotics to help support the foot and aid recovery.

Foot Ambulance Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis:

You may need to be referred to your doctor for x-rays or to have an ultrasound scan. Anti-inflammatory medication, ice, massage, exercise, insoles and correct footwear can all help with recovery.

Diabetic Foot Care

Why are regular foot health checks important for Diabetics?

Foot complaints are one of the leading causes of hospitalization of people with diabetes. People who suffer with diabetes are at more risk of developing ulcers of the foot and leg due to circulatory problems. Your doctor or diabetic nurse will also advise you to have regular checks with a Foot Health Practitioner, Chiropodist or Podiatrist. Maintaining a healthy footprint is critical for diabetics.

Three key complications that are associated with a high risk diabetic patient are; neuropathy which is diminished sensation, poor circulation and also risk of infection. It is also important that nails are not cut too short and the skin around the nail is not broken as this could easily lead to infection in the diabetic foot.

Foot Ambulance Treatments for the diabetic foot includes:

Regular foot and vascular assessment as part of your foot maintenance programme. Regular cutting of nails and management of skin conditions. Advice on foot care and foot management.