St James Clinic
Chiropody & Podiatry
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services
Research has shown that nine out of ten people will have problems with their feet before they are 30 but only one in ten will visit a Chiropodist or Podiatrist. Many people will not realise that other aches and pains may be caused by problems with their feet
You can be assured – we have a commitment to excellence when it comes to the level of care we provide
diabetic foot care
It is vital that people with diabetes should check their feet on a daily basis for any problems. The feet should be protected from extremes of hot and cold and the feet should be moisturised to keep the skin soft and supple. Regular exercise is important to maintain a healthy blood flow to the feet. Shoes and socks should be worn at all times.
As with Peripheral Vascular Disease, it is important to seek professional advice regarding general footcare. We will evaluate the condition of the feet and advise you how to prevent complications developing. We provide information on suitable footwear and prescribe orthotics if necessary. We also offer a nail cutting service and treatment of corns or calluses to prevent sores, wounds or infections developing.
corns
Corns are small areas of hardened skin which occur over a boney prominence such as a joint.
Never be tempted to cut corns yourself and avoid using corn plasters or paints as these can burn healthy tissue around the corns. Use a pumice stone to gradually remove thickened skin or relieve pressure between the toes with a foam Toe Separator.
If the corn persists or becomes painful, seek advice. We can painlessly remove the corn, apply padding or provide orthotic insoles to relieve pressure, providing long-term relief
verrucae
Verrucae are simply warts which appear on the soles of the feet. They are caused by the human papilloma virus and are highly contagious. The virus thrives in warm moist environments such as bathrooms and swimming pool changing room floors.
Initially, a verruca may appear as a small dark puncture which later turns grey or brown. It can become rough and bumpy with a cauliflower-like appearance and may develop a black spot in the centre. A verruca can grow up to a centimeter in diameter or spread into a cluster of small warts. A verruca has a lifespan of around 2 years so left alone may eventually disappear of its own accord. However they can be painful, particularly if they appear on a weight bearing area of the foot
athlete's foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection called Tinas Pedis. It can lead to intense itching, cracked, blistered or peeling areas of skin, redness and scaling. It can occur on moist, waterlogged skin especially between the fourth and fifth toes, or on dry, flaky skin around the heels or elsewhere on the foot.
There are a number of different antifungal medicines for athlete's foot available without prescription. These are provided as creams, ointments, lotions, powders, and liquid or dry powder sprays, and are applied directly onto the infected area(s). But if the condition keeps recurring or gets worse and spreads to the nails, consult us as we can prescribe broad-spectrum anti-fungal medication to eliminate the fungus if local treatment or your prevention regime hasn't worked
fungal nail infection
Fungal infection of the nail, Onychomycosis, is generally caused by dermatophytes, most commonly Trichophyton Rubrum or Trichophyton Mentagrophytes. These microscopic organisms grow beneath the nail and in the nail bed and live of the protein, or keratin, of the nail. The condition usually begins at the far end of the nail and often appears as patches of white or yellow discolouration initially.
We recommend suitable medication or surgically treat any ingrown areas if necessary to generally improve the appearance of the affected nail. Fungal nails are notoriously slow to respond to treatment however as the nail is slow growing.
cracked heels
Cracked heels or heel fissures are caused by a build up of dry skin (xerosis) on the outer rim of the heel. It is exacerbated if the skin in this area is callused. In most cases it is a cosmetic nuisance but if the cracks or fissures deepen, they may bleed and it can become painful to stand. In severe cases these cracks can become infected.
Daily moisturising with a rich, oil based moisturiser twice daily will help keep the skin supple in this area. Dry skin can be gently reduced with a pumice stone.
If the problem persists and becomes severe, we can encourage the cracks to heal by debriding the area to remove the hardened skin. Strapping the area may also be required to hold the fissures together during the healing process. We can also prescribe emollients and/or orthotic insoles as preventative measures and give advice on footcare.
calluses and hard skin
When we walk or stand, our body weight is carried first on the heel and then on the ball of the foot, where the skin is thicker, to withstand the pressure. When this pressure becomes excessive, some areas of the skin thicken, in the form of corns and callus, as a protective response. A callus, or callusity, is an extended area of thickened skin on the soles of the feet, and occurs on areas of pressure. It is the body's reaction to pressure or friction and can appear anywhere the skin rubs against a bone, a shoe, or the ground.
We will be able to advise you why this has occurred and, where possible, how to prevent it happening again. We will also remove hard skin, relieve pain, and redistribute pressure with soft padding, strapping, or corrective appliances which fit easily into your shoes. The skin should then return to its normal state
ingrown toe nail
An ingrown toenail, Onychocryptosis, is an extremely painful condition where either one or both sides of the nail cut into the nail bed as it grows out. Inevitably, the affected area becomes infected easily unless it is treated early. Signs of infection include redness and swelling. It is caused mainly by improper cutting technique when trimming the nails, wearing tight footwear, inadequate foot hygiene, accidental trauma to the nail, fungal or bacterial infection.
An infected nail must be treated professionally. Often antibiotic therapy is necessary and a surgical procedure requires to remove the section of nail which has become ingrown. Recurring ingrown toenails can be permanently removed by phenolisation which cauterises the nail matrix. We can also demonstrate nail cutting techniques to help prevent further recurrences and advise on footwear
standard chiropody treatment
We will carry out a foot health assessment and will take time to understand any concerns you have about your feet, particularly if you have not visited us before.
Nails may be trimmed and any minor nail problems treated. Gentle reduction of dry, callused skin and the removal of corns will follow. You can discuss your future foot care needs and a treatment plan can be developed should you require on going therapy. Foot health advice will be given and any suitable products recommended.
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