INGROWING TOE NAILS
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the severity of your
condition. For the most basic irritable ingrowing
toenail, I will carefully remove the offending spike
of nail and cover with an antiseptic dressing. For a
more painful condition or if is a recurring problem I will
always recommend nail surgery.

Nail surgery is carried out using local anaesthetic. The whole
procedure takes less than an hour and the surgery is then
followed by two or more visits to monitor its progress. The patient
is able to return to work immediately, and there is usually only
minimal discomfort post operatively. In most cases this will cure the
problem and stop the nail in the painful area growing back. Results are
generally very cosmetically pleasing and the procedure should not be
confused with more radical, painful operations which are often carried out
at hospitals.

WARTS / VERRUCA
Treatment:
• Small lesions can be treated with Pharmacy cures which are applied daily after rubbing the area gently with a pumice stone
• I treat warts with Salicylic and/or Monochloroacetic acid. These preparations will be considerably stronger than can be obtained over the counter- and consequently much more effective. Usually once weekly dressings over 4- 6 weeks is enough to resolve the problem.
• Cryotherapy involves freezing with Nitrous Oxide . At my practice I use the latest technology using a Cryopen. This ensures accurate, effective treatments with minimal discomfort and fewer treatments.
• Warts are easily confused with corns, so it is important to seek professional advice before embarking on any treatments.

CORNS / HELOMATA
Treatment:
• The demarcated core/nucleus will need to be removed by a podiatrist. This can be done with very little, if any discomfort.
• Prevent or remove the pressure against the toes and feet
• Never use “corn cures” or pads. They contain acids which can’t differentiate between normal skin and extra keratin. This may lead to an ulcer developing in the area.]

CALLUS
Treatment:
• Remove the cause of pressure or friction if possible
• Use mild abrasives such as an exfoliating sponge or pumice stone. Use a moisturising cream daily such as CCS footcare cream.
• Protective padding to deflect pressures. Painless removal of the callus by a chiropodist/podiatrist- instant relief!

ATHLETE’S FOOT / TINEA PEDIS
Treatment:
• Dry carefully between toes and use antifungal powder after drying
• Use methylated spirits or surgical spirit in mild cases
• Change shoes and socks daily, nylon stocking may aggravate the problem
• Use flip flops when showering in public places, and don’t share towels, socks and shoes
• Topical medication or tablets in very severe cases.
• On attending my practice have your footwear' Klenzed' to remove all fungi which maybe still living in the shoe leather or insole.
• Seek professional help if no improvement after a few days
 

CHILBLAINS
Treatment:
• Prevention is better than a cure
• Always wear warm clothing in cold weather
• Keep feet and hands warm by wearing thick gloves and socks
• Avoid sitting to close to open heat
• Cooling lotions and at the early stages
• Contrast foot bathes (if skin is not broken)
• If chilblains broken, keep dry and cover with sterile dressing.

AGEING FEET
Keeping Warm
Try to keep your feet as warm as possible, but don't cook them in front of the fire! Warm stockings or socks can help. Avoid anything too tight which can restrict your circulation or cramp your toes. Wearing fleece-lined boots or shoes or even an extra pair of socks will also keep you warm but do make sure your shoes aren't tight as a result. Bed socks are also a good idea.

Choosing the best footwear
The older you get, the more you need a shoe which holds your foot firmly in place to give adequate support. Throw out those sloppy old favourites as they may make you unstable when you walk.

Look for shoes with uppers made of soft leather or a stretchy man-made fabric which is also breathable. Avoid plastic 'easy clean' uppers which don't allow the foot to breathe and won't stretch to accommodate your own foot shape.

Many shoes have cushioning or shock absorbing soles to give you extra comfort while walking. When buying shoes, ensure that you can put them on and take them off easily. Check that the heel is held firmly in place - you'll find that a lace-up or velcro fastening shoe will give more support and comfort than a slip-on.

Your shoes should be roomy enough, particularly, if you intend to wear them everyday. If you suffer with swollen feet, it's a good idea to put your shoes on as soon as you wake up, before your feet have had a chance to swell.

Exercise
Exercise can help to keep feet healthy – it tones up muscles, helps to strengthen arches and stimulates blood circulation.

SWEATY FEET
Sweat Glands in the Feet
There are more sweat glands per inch in our feet than anywhere else in the body, and their function is to keep the skin moist and therefore supple. They secrete all the time, not just in response to heat or exercise as elsewhere in the body.

Possible Causes
Sweaty feet can be caused by stress on the foot. This may be due to a structural problem, or because the foot is under strain or tired, for example, when you've been standing on your feet all day.

Hot weather can make matters worse, although sweaty feet is a winter, as well as a summer, problem. It can also be an inherited condition.

In adolescents, sweaty feet are probably caused by over-active sweat glands triggered by changing hormonal levels in the body. As the sweat glands on the soles of the feet (and the palms of the hand) respond mostly to emotion, mental or emotional stress is a common cause.

What to do
Simple hygiene is usually effective in dealing with sweaty feet. Try following our recommended daily foot hygiene routine.

Footwear
Careful consideration of footwear and socks is essential. Well-fitting shoes made of leather, which allow your feet to 'breathe,' are best.

As a lot of sweat is absorbed by insoles or the uppers of shoes, don't wear the same pair every day, and allow them to dry out before wearing them again. Detachable insoles are also a good idea. Socks that absorb moisture well, like wool, cotton, or wool/cotton mixture, will also help. Always wash your socks before using them again.

Other problems
An added problem that often accompanies sweaty feet is foot odour. This is caused by bacteria on the skin breaking the sweat down, which releases an offensive smell.
This can usually be prevented with careful hygiene, or medicated insoles which can have a deodorising effect. Wash your feet with an anti-bacterial soap such as Hibiscrub. There is also a greater risk of minor skin infections, through athlete's foot, or blisters.