Chiropody
Corns
and Callus (Hard
Skin)
Callus
or hard skin occurs
naturally due
to excessive pressure
or friction over
an area e.g. over
bony areas on
the bottom of
the foot or heel.
When the pressure
becomes concentrated
over one area
then underlying
the callous a
corn may develop.
A Corn is an
area of thickened
skin which has
formed into a
cone shape with
a deeper centre,
sometimes it feels
like a piece of
grit or a small stone
and can be extremely
painful.
Treatment involves
the removal of
corns and callus
to relieve discomfort,
which is done
normally painlessly.
However unless
pressure and friction
are removed from
the area they
will probably
return. Long-term
management will
include the podiatrist
taking into account
the biomechanics
of the individual
and so maybe try
to offload pressure
points by various
techniques including
padding, footwear
advice or insoles.
Advice in self-help
in the form of
applying foot
cream will also
be offered so
making the skin
more flexible
and so cracks
or hard skin will not develop
so easily.
Laser Treatment
Ingrown
toenail
An
ingrown nail is
a spike of nail,
which pierces
the flesh. This
can often be very
painful, inflamed
and may lead to
infection, which
maybe highly dangerous
in somebody at
high risk e.g.
diabetics.
A Podiatrist
can cut the nail
and pack the sides
to ease the pressure.
They can also
successfully treat
this problem by
removing the nail
spike under local
anaesthetic with
phenol acid being
added to stop
re-growth of the
nail. The operation
is relatively
painless with
only the Local
anaesthetic being
felt and thereafter
no pain.There
are 2 types of
procedure:
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A
partial
nail avulsion
(PNA) is
a highly
successful
simple operation
under local
anaesthetic
and provides
permanent
change of
the nail
with lasting
relief;
only the
side of
the nail
is removed.
This often
looks tidy
and almost
unnoticeable.
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A total
nail avulsion
(TNA) where
the whole
nail is
removed.
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Diabetic
Footcare
Diabetics need
to take extra
care of their
feet as something
small and harmless
can easily develop
into something
more fatal as
they are more
likely to suffer
from
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Poor circulation |
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Poor
Healing
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Lack
of sensation |
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Increased
risk of
infection |
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Poor
eyesight |
Diabetics should
get into the habit
of checking feet
on a daily basis
and consult a
Registered Chiropodist
or Doctor if concerned.
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