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September 2021

how to get rid of nail infection

What You Need To Know About Corn Treatment for Foot

By Blog

Corns are a very common issue faced by many people. They usually occur because of constant friction, so the main cause of corns is usually wearing the wrong shoes that don’t fit you right. They’re very easy to prevent, but can be really irritating so you may want to get them removed when they show up too often. Worry not, because there’s a lot you can learn about corn treatment for feet, and how you can prevent them altogether. It’s always best to see a podiatrist to get the right corn treatment in Beaconsfield. If you find yourself wanting to get rid of your corn, there’s great services for corn removal in Little Chalfont.
Read on to learn more about corns and how you can treat them and get them removed.

What Are Corns and How Do They Form?

Corns are buildups of hardened areas of skin. They can form anywhere but tend to show up on feet, hands, and fingers the most. They are usually round and relatively small, and you’ll most likely see them develop on the sides and tops of your toes. There are three distinct types of corns:

  • Hard Corns: These are hard and dense, and usually form on the top of your toes, where your bones exert pressure on your skin. They usually reside within a bigger part of thickened skin.
  • Soft Corns: Usually whitish grey in colour, with a slightly softer and rubbery texture, soft corns show up between your toes.
  • Seed Corns: As the name suggests, seed corns are quite small. They normally form at the bottom of your feet.

Corns usually develop due to constant rubbing, friction, pressure, and irritation against the skin. This is why you will most likely see them appear on the bony part of your feet. This hardening layer is actually your body’s defence to protect the softer skin underneath from the pressure.

Am I At Risk And Are Corns Painful?

You’re more likely to develop corn if:

  • You have a medical condition that changes the alignment of the bones in your feet. Ex. arthritis, hammertoes, bunions, bone spurs.
  • You don’t wear socks
  • Your shoes are too narrow for your feet

If you check yes on any of the above, you run the risk of developing corns on your feet.

You’re probably wondering if corns are painful. The answer is both yes and no. When you first develop corn, it won’t cause you pain at all. But, as the corn further develops and the skin thickens more, it can start causing pain. The areas of your skin that are raised will become sensitive to pressure and tender to touch compared to the unaffected skin surrounding it. Corns can even get infected, and that can lead to significant amounts of pain. This is why it’s always best to see a podiatrist so they can give you corn treatment for your feet so that the issue doesn’t get worse.

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How Can I Prevent Corns?

As with all things, prevention is always better than cure. Feet are often overlooked, but they’re very integral to your overall health since they make the most contact with the ground. In order to prevent corns from developing on your feet, you should keep the following in mind:

  • Always wear shoes that fit you well and are comfortable. Your shoes must support your feet but also be cushioned and have shock-absorbing soles. Your feet should never feel cramped in your shoes, and there must always be ample space for your toes so they aren’t rubbing against the shoes or each other.
  • Try to avoid narrow-toed and high-heeled shoes as far as you can.
  • Use insoles that are cushioned.
  • Wear socks with your shoes.
  • Inspect your feet regularly and practice proper foot care and hygiene.
  • Always keep your toenails trimmed.
  • Try not to walk barefoot.
  • Try keeping your feet as dry as you can. Use foot powder if you’re prone to sweaty feet.

Corn Treatment For Foot

In case you find yourself riddled with corns, you should know how they are treated by your podiatrist. You can try to treat them at home as well, but it’s always better to see a professional.

  • Trimming: Your podiatrist will most likely remove your corn by trimming it down using a tool. You can try doing this at home by soaking your feet for around 20 minutes in order to make the skin soft. Then, go ahead and gently scrape away at the rough skin using a pumice stone.
  • Chemical: This type of corn treatment for the foot is similar to trimming, but uses chemical products instead to slowly dissolve the affected skin. A common product used is salicylic acid, which dissolves keratin (what dead skin is made of).
  • Toe Protection / Footpads: Though not really a form of treatment, it’s worth mentioning. Using footpads can help ease the discomfort significantly. You can also use toe splints to prevent your toes from creating friction with each other.

Corn Removal Little in Little Chalfont

If, for whatever reason, your corn does not go away or gets worse, you may consider getting it removed. If you’re looking for a podiatrist clinic to do the job well, you can count on Bucks Foot Clinic! We have the best corn treatment in Beaconsfield and will be more than happy to assist you.

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us

how to get rid of nail infection

Everything You Need To Know About Medi Pedis in the UK

By Blog

Medi Pedis are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and it’s making people wonder, “Where can I find a podiatry near me?”. Lucky for you, Buck Foot Clinic offers some of the best medi pedis in the UK and we’re here to run you through the entire process!

What Is A Medi Pedi?

In the UK, medi pedis are becoming a norm in foot care. This is a good thing, because medi pedis are a great way to care for your feet. Medi Pedi is short for “Medical Pedicure”, which is a luxury foot treatment that’s performed by a podiatrist in a sterile and safe environment. Though “luxury”, unlike salons, medi pedis focus on not just cleaning up your feet, but also examining them and determining the root cause of whatever foot problem you may face. A salon procedure only focuses on making your feet look good, and can sometimes even lead to real foot problems and make them worse.

Podiatrists are trained in treating all these complications that can arise from improper salon care, such as ingrowns from improper cutting, bacterial and fungal infections, and even warts. As with all things, prevention is better than cure, which is why Med Pedis in the UK are a great alternative to normal salon pedicures.

What Can A Medi Pedi Help With?

If you’re considering getting a medi pedi but don’t know exactly what it can help you with, here’s a list of things that you may find a medi pedi to be useful in treating:

  • Weak / Damaged Nails
  • Blisters
  • Athlete’s Foot
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Cracked Heels
  • Thick Nails / Skin
  • Warts, Calluses, and Corns
  • Discoloured Nails
  • Splinters

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What’s The Process Like?

When you get a medi pedi, your podiatrist will start with a full assessment of your feet and their overall health. They will ask you about the concerns you have in reference to your feet, nails, and skin. After this, they’ll draft up a plan to manage your treatment in such a way that all the criteria are met.

At the start of your medi pedi, your nails will be cut and filed to prevent rough edges. After this, if your nails need to be thinned down, they’ll use a burr to do so. This is to remove the outer layer of your nail and restore it to its natural colour and effectively remove any nail polish. This also helps in lower pressure caused by thick nails, which can turn painful if not treated. If you have ingrown nails or any signs of their onset, they will be looked at and fixed.

After this, your podiatrist will use a sterile and clean blade to remove any corns or calluses you may have, which will then be smoothened using a Moor’s disc. This procedure is painless.

Once you’re reaching the end of your treatment, your podiatrist will apply Tea Tree Oil to your nails and in between your toes. Tea Tree Oil is naturally anti-fungal and will prevent any fungal and bacterial infections from occurring. Then, your podiatrist will use cuticle oil and emollient lotion with a gentle massage to increase your circulation, release muscle tension and help with fluid retention.

How Is A Pedicure A Medical Procedure?

Unlike normal pedicures, medi pedis are considered a medical treatment. It’s in the name itself! But, what sets medi pedis apart from traditional salon treatment?

The key difference is that a medi pedi is done by a qualified podiatrist and is aimed at treating the root cause of common foot issues to prevent them from occurring. A traditional pedicure is done at a nail salon and is aimed at beautifying your feet, and can even lead to foot issues if not done sanitarily and properly.

So, with a medi pedi, you’re not just getting a foot makeover, you’re even getting a diagnosis and treatment for foot concerns you may have. A great example of this is ingrown toenails. If you have an ingrown toenail (or are in the early stages of getting one), a podiatrist will be able to take care of it and make sure it doesn’t come back. Another great example is the fact that podiatrists are qualified in removing calluses and corns with sterile scalpels. A traditional salon will just file away the superficial layer of it and call it a day. The corn/callus is not treated and is merely shaved down to “look okay”. Podiatrists, on the other hand, will completely remove the corn or callus and even smoothen out the skin using a Moor’s disc.

Another point to note is that medi pedis are required to hold true to strict hygiene standards. Podiatrists are held to strict infection control standards, so all their equipment and tools are completely sterilized before and after to ensure that all bacteria is destroyed. They even clean the treatment chairs and all surfaces after a client, while traditional salons aren’t really held to the same strict standards and this increases the risk of bacteria and infections.

When Should I See A Podiatry Near Me / A Foot Doctor Near Me?

If you’ve been finding yourself searching things like “podiatry near me” or “foot doctor near me”, chances are, you probably already know you need to see a podiatrist. You may even just be looking up “podiatry near me” to see where you can get the closest medi pedi! Either way, it’s best to know when it’s time to see a foot doctor.

You should always see a podiatrist when you think you may have an issue concerning your feet. It’s always best to see someone before the issue gets worse. If you have any foot issues, or just want a medi pedi to prevent any issues from occurring, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us. Bucks Foot Clinic is here for all your medi pedi and foot care needs!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us

how to get rid of nail infection

SWIFT Treatment Beaconsfield: Say Bye-Bye To Your Verrucas!

By Blog

Gone are the days where the notorious verruca is seen as difficult to treat! With evergreen technology, you can get SWIFT machine treatment and permanently say goodbye to the verrucas that have been persistently pursuing your feet. Read on to learn more about verrucas and how you can get SWIFT treatment in Little Chalfont and Beaconsfield to treat them!

What Are Verrucas?

This article will probably be lost on you if you aren’t aware of what a verruca is. Verrucas are contagious and often painful lumps/warts that form on the soles of your feet. They are often confused with corns, but are very different from them. To learn more about the differences between verrucas and corns, and verrucas in general you can read our blog post about it!

What Is SWIFT Machine Treatment?

SWIFT is a relatively new technology that’s been developed in the UK, and has been licensed for treating verrucas by podiatrists all over. SWIFT uses microwave energy, delivered through a probe which is put on the skin to treat the affected area. With SWIFT Machine Treatment, you can get rid of multiple verrucas and warts in just one sitting, and it’s quick and efficient in doing so. The cherry on top is that you don’t require anaesthetics of dressings afterwards!

How Does It Work?

As mentioned earlier, SWIFT uses microwave energy to help heal the infected area of your skin. With SWIFT, you don’t puncture or damage the skin, and the treatment is quick and effective. It uses the same technology that’s been used to effectively treat cancer for the last 30 odd years. SWIFT Machine Treatment is completely non-invasive and is a super effective procedure. As it is with most skin conditions and viruses, the best way to treat verrucas is by triggering the body’s immune system to allow it to naturally heal and clear the infected area. This is precisely what SWIFT treatment does. It uses microwave technology to make electromagnetic waves penetrate deep into the infected area to alert the immune system of the verruca to instigate the self-healing process, while also destroying the verruca as well.

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Does It Hurt?

Treatment for most skin issues can be slightly uncomfortable. It’s the same for verrucas as well. You may feel a slight amount of discomfort during the treatment, but pain is a very subjective thing. Some people may find it more painful than others but the general consensus is that SWIFT Machine Treatment is not too painful. A common comparison made by people who’ve undergone SWIFT treatment is that it feels like a sudden heat that lasts for 2-3 seconds and then subsides. You don’t require anaesthetics for the treatment, but if you feel like you have a very low pain tolerance, you can choose to apply them 45 minutes prior to the session. Depending on the size of your verruca, your podiatrist may even choose to reduce the lesion with a blade.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

In some cases, one session may be enough to remove a verruca or wart. In fact, one sitting can usually be enough to remove multiple verrucas. But, as is with all things, the number of sittings you may need can be pretty subjective. It all depends on how your body reacts to the treatment. No body is the same, so some people may need more than one session while others are good to go after just one. Recent studies have shown that the very best results are seen with 3 sessions in 4 weekly intervals. Your podiatrist will be able to work out these details with you and give you a clearer idea on how many sittings you may need based on how your body reacts to the SWIFT Machine Treatment.

What You Can Expect With SWIFT Treatment in Little Chalfont and Beaconsfield?

SWIFT Machine Treatment is very simple! Once the verruca has been cleaned, the probe is kept over the affected area and a precise and highly controlled dose of energy is administered to it. When the electromagnetic waves hit the infected tissue, the temperature of the area is heightened and so the diseased cells get destroyed. This also triggers your body’s self-healing mechanism and this ensures that the tissue starts self-repairing automatically, while generating fresh and new cells.

With SWIFT treatment, you get what you expect, because the name itself suggests the treatment is swift and quick! The zap lasts 2-5 seconds, and in most cases there’s a minimum of four zaps per verruca.

For most people, the “pain” is bearable and the treatment has been compared to the feeling of a quick injection.

Once you’re done with the procedure, the area may feel a little tender, but you can still go about your day-to-day activities without hindrance, as long as you’re weary not to put excessive amounts of pressure on you foot.

SWIFT Treatments require more than one session, but the total number of sessions depends on the size, location, duration, and number of verrucas on your feet, as well as how your body takes to the treatment. The ideal number of sessions (as mentioned above) is 3, with a 4 week interval between each one.

After your first sitting, the verruca will not change in appearance, but don’t let this make you lose hope. Visible results may be slow, but the healing is still rapidly taking place. All you need is a bit of patience, and you’ll see the worthwhile results after all your sessions! Your body’s immune system will take a little while to gain pace, which is why most treatments require that four-week gap, to allow your body to adjust well.

Am I Suitable To SWIFT Machine Treatment?

Pretty much anyone with skin lesions can undergo SWIFT treatment, but there are a few exceptions (listed below). SWIFT Machine Treatment is suitable for children who are older, and also low-risk diabetics with good circulation in their bodies. Before undergoing treatment, your podiatrist will assess you and advise you accordingly.

SWIFT Treatment may not be suited to you if:

  • You have heart problems or wear a pacemaker
  • You have nerve damage in your feet
  • You have poor circulation or diabetes (high-risk)
  • You have metal pins/plates/replacement joints in your feet/ankles
  • Your body doesn’t heal too well
  • You’re on immunosuppressive drugs from cancer treatment/rheumatoid arthritis (since they lower your immunity)
  • You are under 10 years old
  • You’re very sensitive to pain (fear not, however, because in this case, you can use analgesics and go ahead with the procedure)

You’re pregnant/breastfeeding since your immune system is very turbulent during this period. So, the SWIFT Treatment results may not be as successful.

Conclusion

Now that you understand SWIFT Machine Treatment better, you’ll be more inclined to try it out on your verrucas. Book an appointment with us at Bucks Foot Clinic to receive the best SWIFT Treatment in Little Chalfont and Beaconsfield!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us

how to get rid of nail infection

Ingrown Toenail Infection Treatment Near You, Beaconsfield

By Blog

There are so many important parts of your body, you tend to overlook some of the smaller ones. Though they may be small, they do not lack significance. Toenails come under this category of overlooked body parts that need focused care. There are a plethora of problems you can face when it comes to your toenails, and the most common and popularly suffered one is Ingrown Toenail Infections. You can come from any walk of life, and suffer from this issue. But do not fear, we have a guide to help you understand Ingrown Toenails Infection better!

What are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

It is important to know what you’re looking for when self-diagnosing yourself with an infection. You can’t confirm something unless you know what it is. So, what exactly is an Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Ingrown Toenails occur when the edge or corner tip of your nail pierces into your skin and then begins to grow back into it. It can happen to everyone and is extremely common and can also be quite painful to deal with. When you have an unattended ingrown nail, chances of infections run high, especially if you’re on your toes a lot! When left unattended, these infections can spread into the underlying bone structures of your feet. Which is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths at the bud!

Causes and Prevention

The main cause of an ingrown toenails infection is negligence. When you have an ingrown nail, it is important to treat it with utmost care so as to not let it get infected. If you notice an ingrown nail, you must treat it so you can prevent infections from spreading into your foot.

You can get ingrown toenails from cutting your toenails too short or keeping them too long, wearing improper footwear, angled nail cutting, toenail injury, and poor foot hygiene.

Sometimes, it’s genetic too. If you have a genetic predisposition to having curved toenails, you are at high risk for ingrowths and infections.

The best way to prevent these infections is to maintain proper foot hygiene, remember to cut your nails straight, wear shoes that fit you comfortably and check in with your podiatrist if something seems amiss.

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Symptoms

The symptoms for infected ingrown toenails are quite straightforward and specific.

  • Pressure-filled pain on your toe.
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding
  • Skin next to nail being swollen, tender or hard
  • Visible skin growth over your nail
  • Blister (which you may not notice at first, but you will notice large amounts of drainage of pus)
  • Thick, yellow nails that are cracked; a key symptom of fungal infection

If you notice any of these symptoms, please visit your nearest podiatrist or you can contact us!

Remedies and Treatment

Ingrown Toenails are easy to cure at home if you identify them soon. Never yank or pull on the ingrown nail; you shouldn’t force it and you must always make sure your hands are clean and dry before attempting to fix it at home.

Some home remedies include:

  1. Soaking your foot in warm water and Epsom salt / coarse salt to soften the skin around your nail. This will also help drain the pus out and reduce pain.
  2. Applying antibiotic or antifungal lotion onto the nail and skin under and around the nail.
  3. Taking over-the-counter pain medication to help with the discomfort, pain, and swelling.
  4. Wearing comfortable and breathable shoes.

If these don’t home remedies don’t work, and you find it hard to manage, your doctor may do some of the things listed below:

  1. Pack an antibiotic soaked gauze under your nail to eliminate infection and encourage the nail to grow out normally
  2. Trim or cut off the ingrown part of your nail
  3. Surgery, only if the case is serious and / or recurring

If your ingrown nail persists and the infection isn’t getting better, it’s time to see a doctor near you.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about Ingrown Toenails Infection, you can identify them better. If you find yourself facing this problem frequently, and it’s getting hard to manage, don’t hesitate to visit us at Bucksfoot Clinic, Amersham. They also provide services for other foot-related pain and problems, and they even offer custom-made footwear to tackle severe foot problems.

Book an appointment today to get swift ingrown nail infection care in Beaconsfield at Bucksfoot Clinic.

You can call us on 0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099, or you can book an appointment with us through our website!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us