November 2021

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.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Corn?  

Now that you know what a corn is, you’ll be easily able to identify it. You can identify a corn on your foot if:

1. You have a hard bump on your skin, which is surrounded by a dry patch of skin
2. You have a tender and raised lump on your skin, that is painful to pressure

Corns are often confused with calluses and verrucas (more on that later!). The main difference between corns and calluses is that corns are painful, while calluses are normally not painful. Corns have a central core that acts as a pressure point, which is the sensitive part the corn is protecting. So, when pressure is applied, corns tend to hurt.

Is Corn Serious?

Corns are often caused due to wearing ill-fitting shoes. As you continue to wear these shoes, your corn gets worse and painful to pressure. Corns aren’t serious, and they do go away with time if cared for well. When you remove the cause of the corn (ill-fitting footwear, for example), the corn will cease over time.

Corns can impact your day-to-day life due to pain while walking. Most corns are unproblematic, while some can become extremely painful or even infected. That’s why it’s always best to see a podiatrist when dealing with anything related to your feet.

Always see a podiatrist in case:

• Your corn is painful.
• If you suffer from diabetes, as untreated corns can develop into worse illnesses.
• If you cut your corn and it bleeds, the skin-break allows infections to pour in.
• Your corn is discharging pus or clear fluids. This means it’s either infected or has ulcers forming. Both of these require immediate medical care.
• If you suffer from heart disease, or other circulatory problems (like diabetes).

Do I Have A Verruca Or Corn?

As we mentioned earlier, corns are often confused with verrucas, which are a completely different issue altogether. There are a few key identifying factors when differentiating on whether you have a verruca or corn. These are just a few of many:

• Verrucas are viruses (often called the Verruca Infection) caused by HPV. They are highly contagious (commonly seen when children with HFM Disease interact with other children on playgrounds). Corns, on the other hand (or foot!), are cone-shaped pieces of hard skin that form on areas of pressure. They are formed by friction and are not contagious.
• Verrucas aren’t picky. They see all feet as fit for infection. Corns, however, tend to form on dryer skin.
• Verrucas have a long incubation period that can range from a couple of months to a year. Corns tend to form over a long period of time from constant pressure and friction, while Verrucas seem to kind of just “show up” out of the blue.

If you want to know more about how to differentiate between verrucas and corns, we have a few more articles that might help:

1. Verruca Or Corn?: Spot the Difference and Treat Your Verruca Infection with Care
2. What’s The Difference Between A Verruca And A Corn?

How To Treat A Corn

 One of the most frequently asked questions about corns, is how to treat a corn. You’ll be happy to know that there are a few considerably painless methods a podiatrist will use to treat your corn. Here they are:

• 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 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.

A recommended at-home treatment is as follows:

• Soak the corn in warm water, for 5-10 minutes till the skin softens
• File the corn with a pumice stone. First, dip the stone in warm water then use it very gently against your corn. Make sure to use it in circular motions or sideways motions. This will remove the dead skin
• Don’t file it too much and take off too much skin, this can lead to bleeding and infections
• Use moisturizer/lotion on the area daily. Preferably one with salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate.
• Use a piece of moleskin as padding. Cut the moleskin into two half-moon shapes and place it around the corn. To prevent your corn from constant shoe-contact, use a doughnut-shaped adhesive pad to protect it.
• Always wear shoes that fit you right.

Keep your toenails trimmed.

No matter what the issue is with your feet, it’s always best to see a podiatrist. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic. We’ll be able to help you with all your problems!

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

References:

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-corns-calluses
2. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_happens_if_a_corn_is_left_untreated/article.htm
3. https://www.afaasonline.com/faqs-about-corn-removal
4. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-corns-calluses-basics

A lot of cases of pain in toenail are caused by fungal toenails and ingrowing toenails. That’s why it’s important to know how to treat fungal toenail at home, as well as ingrowing toenail management.

Keep in mind, however, that home remedies are often a quick fix and may not alleviate the issue altogether. Which is why it’s best to see a podiatrist for your fungal toenail, ingrowing toenail, or pain in toenail. But, if you like quick home remedies to help you ease the pain quickly, this article is just right for you.

So, read on to learn about 10 quick home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail!

Toenail fungus is also called onychomycosis. It is a common fungal infection of the toenail. The main symptom is a brown, white, or yellow coloration on one or more of your toenails. It can spread rapidly and cause your nails to crack / thicken.

Toenail fungus is not an attractive look, as you may have guessed already. But, worry not, because there are treatments you can try at home to deal with it!

Here are 10 of the most popular home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail:

1. Vicks VapoRub
   It may seem unlikely since Vicks VapoRub is made for cough suppression, but it is a great topical ointment for fungal toenails. It’s active ingredients like camphor and eucalyptus oil can help treat toenail fungus.
   All you have to do is apply tiny amounts of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day. A study done in 2011 proved that this ointment had a “positive clinical effect” when it ame to treatment of toenail fungus.

2. Snakeroot Extract
   Snakeroot extract is an anti-fungal made from plants belonging to the sunflower family. A study done in 2008 showed that Snakeroot extract is as effective in treating fungal toenails as a prescription antifungal called ciclopirox.
   In the study, Snakeroot extract was applied to the affected areas every third day for the first month,  twice a week for the second month, and once a week for the third month. It proved to be very effective.

3. Tea Tree Oil
   Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Small-scale clinical studies showed that tea tree oil may be effective in treating toenail fungus. To use this home remedy, all you have to do is apply tea tree oil directly onto the affected nail at least two times a day with a cotton swab.

4. Oregano Oil
   Oregano oil has Thymol in it. Thymol has antifungal and antibacterial properties. To use this treatment, apply oregano oil to the infected nail at least twice daily with a cotton swab. You can even make a mix of oregano oil and tea tree oil. Both of these have the potential to cause skin irritation and allergic reaction, though, so we don’t recommend combining them.

5. Olive Leaf Extract
   Olive leaf extract has an active ingredient called “oleuropein”, and it has antifungal, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting abilities. You can either apply it topically or ingest in the form of a capsule.
   A 2012 review proved that taking one to three olive leaf capsules with meals twice a day, is more effective than taking it topically. If you choose this home remedy, make sure to drink lots of water throughout.

6. Ozonized Oils
   These are oils that are injected with ozone gas, such as olive oil and sunflower oil. A 2011 study proved that ozone exposure in low concentrations for short durations can inactivate organisms like fungi, yeast, and bacteria.
   Another study found that ozonized sunflower oil was more effective than prescription topical antifungal ketoconazole when it came to treating toenail fungus.
   For this remedy, all you have to do is work the oil into the affected toenail twice a day.

7. Vinegar
   This is a reasonably safe home remedy to try out, although there’s only anecdotal evidence saying that vinegar is an effective treatment for toenail fungus.
   For this method, soak the affected foot in one part vinegar and two parts warm water for 20 minutes a day.

8. Listerine Mouthwash
   This may seem like an unconventional method, but hear us out. Listerine mouthwash has ingredients like menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus. All of which are known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is why it’s a popular home remedy for toenail fungus.
   People that have tried and tested this method say that you should soak the affected foot in a tub/basin full of amber-coloured Listerine for 30 minutes everyday.

9. Garlic
   A review done in 2009 proved that garlic has some antifungal and antimicrobial properties. To use this method, place chopped/crushed garlic cloves on your affected toenail, everyday for 30 minutes.
   If you don’t like the smell of garlic, you can also treat it by ingesting garlic capsules. Take these capsules as it says on the box.

10. Change in Diet
    There’s no doubt that there’s a direct link between diet and health. You are what you eat. So, the healthier you eat, the better chances your body has of fighting off illnesses like toenail fungus.
    Eat the following:

• probiotic-rich yogurt
• enough protein to support nail regrowth
• enough iron to prevent brittle nails
• a diet rich in essential fatty acids
• foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as low fat dairy products

Though home remedies are a good way to gain immediate results, they may not always work effectively. That’s why you must always see a Podiatrist for fungal toenail and ingrowing toenail maintenance. Especially if you have diabetes, a simple cosmetic issue like fungal toenail can turn into something way worse if left untreated.

So, don’t hesitate. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best foot-care treatment in all fields.

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

Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the difference between a verruca and a corn?”?

One of the very most common problems people face with their feet is the development of warts and Verruca infections on their feet. They’re extremely common in most children and young adults, with people having developed at least one verruca on their feet at some point in their life. Verrucas are not pleasant at all. Verrucas are actually a type of wart and not just warts themselves, and are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It’s very easy to confuse a Verruca for other ailments like corns and other types of warts, but Verrucas are very distinct if you know what to look for.

So, if you want a run-down of what sets a verruca apart from a corn, read on!

Most people tend to confuse Verrucas for Corns. A lot of times, patients come in after “mistreatment” caused by the confusion. When you can’t tell if it’s a verruca or a corn, it’s probably best to see a medical professional (why not book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic?) before you treat it at home. The wrong treatment for the wrong lesion can sometimes even lead to more serious problems. So it’s best to know how to SPOT the difference between these spots.

1. Is It Contagious?
   A key differentiating factor is whether the spot is contagious or not. Verrucas are viruses (often called a Verruca Infection) caused by HPV. They are highly contagious (commonly seen when children with HFM Disease interact with other children on playgrounds). Corns, on the other hand (or foot!), are cone-shaped pieces of hard skin that form on areas of pressure. They are formed by friction and are not contagious. 

2. What Kind Of Skin Is It On?
   Verrucas aren’t picky. They see all feet as fit for infection. Corns, however, tend to form on dryer skin. So, if you have normal skin and notice something odd, it could just be verrucas on your feet.
3. Incubation?
   Verrucas have a long incubation period that can range from a couple of months to a year. Corns tend to form over a long period of time from constant pressure and friction, while Verrucas seem to kind of just “show up” out of the blue.
4. Striations?
   When you look closely, it’s easy to tell whether it’s a verruca or corn. Verruca infections tend to be sneaky and interrupt the striation (or lines) on your skin. Corns don’t do this; they’re quite out and proud.
5. Does It Have Black Dots?
   Verrucas on feet tend to have black dots in the centre where the blood has clotted on the surface of your skin. Corns don’t have these black dots. 

6. Is It Yellow And Raised?
   The skin on top of and around a Corn tends to be hard and thick, raising the skin. It can also give it a slightly yellow tone. Verrucas do not look as yellow and raised, they actually tend to be flatter because of the constant pressure put on them.
7. What’s The Shape Like?
   Corns tend to have a conical, circular shadow to them, without any disruption of skin striations. Verrucas have an odd cauliflower-esque shape to them in comparison.
   These are some of the key factors that tell you what the difference between a verruca and a corn is. Now that you know whether it’s a verruca or corn that’s bugging you, it’ll be much easier to manage. Though it is best to see a Podiatrist rather than try to treat it on your own. Especially if it’s a verruca infection.

To sum it up, here’s how you can tell if you have verrucas on your feet:

• There’s a black dot in the center (in most cases)
• The “wart” is oddly cauliflower-shaped
• You feel a stinging “stepping-on-a-needle” type of pain when you apply pressure
• The lump is small and rough
• You may have multiple on your hands and around your mouth as well (in the case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, or HFM for short, which is common in most children)

If you think you’re dealing with a verruca infection or verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate to see a podiatrist. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best verruca treatment in town!

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

Verrucas are a very common issue many people from all walks of life face. Though they are so common, there are still many questions surrounding verrucas. No question is too silly when it comes to your health, and this is precisely why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand verruca infections better!

Verrucae (yes, you read right, the plural of Verruca is Verrucae) are a type of wart that develop on your feet. This type of wart is specific to the feet and is surprisingly common. Verruca infections are usually harmless, and so many people aren’t even aware of their existence. You can either have a single verruca that develops on your foot, or you can also have a cluster of verrucae that covers a greater area on your foot.

Verruca infections are a result of a viral infection called the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV for short. There are so many types of HPV, but in particular HPV 1, 2, and 4 are the subtypes that are most likely to lead to verrucae development.

This question is an age-old one. Almost everyone asks this, because it is very easy to confuse a verruca for a corn. They are vastly different, however.

Most verrucae have black dots in their center, but some don’t, which leads people to mistake them for corns and allow them to grow. Verrucae are known to push the papillary lines on the foot, while corns do not do this.

Normally, verrucae are painful when pinched but not when pressed, while corns are the opposite.

To know more about how you can spot the differences between corns and verrucas, read this article.

As mentioned earlier, verruca infections are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are lots of old wive’s tales surrounding the causes of verrucae, and the most common one is “swimming pools cause verrucae”. Though this is true, it needs a little more context. Swimming pools themselves do not cause the verruca infection, but since verrucae are highly contagious, it’s very easy to develop verrucae from being in the same swimming pool with someone who is affected.

Cross-infection is very common, and if you have a verruca and you’re walking around barefoot, you’ll probably infect the next barefoot person to walk on the same floor. You can also catch it by direct contact with another person’s verruca. In fact, you can even be contagious to yourself. If you have a verruca, and you touch it and then touch other parts of your body, you’re likely to spread the verruca infection.

Am I Susceptible To Verruca Infections?

This is a very subjective question. Everyone’s immune system is different, so some people may run the risk of developing verrucae while others don’t. You do, however, run the risk of getting verruca infections if you don’t partake in foot hygiene and take certain preventative measures.

How Can I Prevent Verrucae?

Verrucae are super common and are nothing to be ashamed of! Most people have developed a verruca infection at least once in their lives. You can follow these measures to reduce your risk of verruca infections:

• Try not to walk barefoot, especially in areas where other people walk barefoot.
• Don’t swim with a person who has a verruca infection.
• Try not to share yoga mats and clothing items.
• Avoid touching warts, be it your own or someone else’s.
• If you have to touch someone’s wart (or your own), make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after.
• Do not share footwear with anyone.
• Don’t try on shoes in shops without wearing socks first.

What Can I Do For Verruca Treatment?

In most cases, verrucae go away on their own. They can be an eyesore, however, which is why many people opt for verruca treatment. If you want to wait it out, you can, but this entails almost waiting for a couple of years. Verrucae take a long time to go away. If you want to opt for verruca treatment, we can help you at Bucks Foot Clinic. We’ll be able to diagnose your verruca and discuss treatment options, both clinical and home-based!

Are There Any Home Remedies For Verruca Infections?

There are a few ways you can go about treating your verruca at home. When it comes to OTC (over-the-counter) remedies, it’s been evident that salicylic acid-based verruca treatments tend to work effectively. Over-the-counter remedies only work half the time, though, and you also run the risk of damaging the skin around your verruca.

If you have conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or diminished sensation in your feet, DO NOT self-treat your verrucae. This could actually be disastrous. We can’t stress on this enough, but never EVER attempt any form of “home surgery”. You WILL put yourself at risk for further infection.

If you have a verruca and you’re concerned or simply find it to be an eyesore, visit a podiatrist. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for all your verruca treatment needs.

My Child Has A Verruca – Will Verruca Treatment Differ?

If you’re a parent and your child has a verruca, don’t worry! Book an appointment with us and our experienced podiatrists will be able to modify verruca treatments to be suitable and comfortable for your child.

Will My Verruca Infection Go Away On Its Own?

Verrucae tend to go away with time, but you have to have a lot of patience. Some verrucae are adamant and stick around for even a couple of years. Most of our clients seek verruca treatment because their verrucas are either an eyesore, or are super uncomfortable. They can hurt, itch, cause rubbing, and spread to other parts of your foot.

Just like with any other lesion on your foot, verrucae can make it hard for you to walk. In fact, you may adjust the way you walk in order to avoid the sore area, and this can lead to an alteration of your gait which causes aches and pains in other parts of your feet and legs.

So, though verrucae go away with time, it’ll do you good to visit a podiatrist and nip them in the bud before they get too uncomfortable and change your lifestyle.

If you find yourself suffering from verruca infections or any other foot-related issues, don’t hesitate and wait till it’s too late. Book an appointment at Buck Foot Clinic and we’ll be able to offer you the best treatment for all your foot-related issues!

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

Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the lower limbs and feet. Podiatrists are trained and are doctors of podiatry, so they can prescribe drugs, order lab tests, and even perform surgery. They can perform surgery for common foot issues like ingrown nails, foot ulcers, corns, calluses, plantar fasciitis, and more.

For the most part, people know what podiatrists do and that they are trained to perform surgery, but there are many questions surrounding this topic. Lots of people ask questions about just what kind of surgeries podiatrists specifically perform, so we’re here with answers!

This article will highlight what kind of foot surgery podiatrists can perform, and give you a quick view into some of the most common foot surgeries in Amersham. Read on to learn more about ingrown toenail, hammertoe, and bunion and corn removal foot surgery in Beaconsfield.

Here at Bucks Foot Clinic, our podiatrists are trained to perform many foot surgeries. We have different branches, so you can get foot surgery in Chesham, foot surgery in Amersham and foot surgery in Beaconsfield.

Our podiatrists are trained to perform foot surgeries for a variety of issues, such as:

• Bunions and Corns
• Hammertoes and other toe problems
• Nerve Entrapments in feet and ankles
• Arthritis in feet and ankles
• Skin Disorders
• Tendon and Soft Tissue Disorders
• Sports Injuries
• Fractures in feet and ankles
• Foot Issues related to Diabetes
• Birth Deformities
• Heel Pain
• High-Arched and Flat Feet

A podiatrist will be able to perform foot surgery for all the above issues. A lot of foot issues don’t respond to normal management. In these cases, a podiatrist will be able to determine when foot surgery may be helpful. When pain or deformity persists, foot surgery may be the right approach to getting rid of discomfort and restoring proper foot function. Some conditions that may need foot surgery are:

• Bunions: These are very common foot deformities. Bunions are enlarged areas of bone and tissue around joints, usually in the big or little toes. They can make it uncomfortable to walk, and even make it difficult without foot surgery.
• Hammertoes: This foot deformity is a contracture of a toe and can cause pain and irritation while wearing footwear. It can also lead to frequent formation of calluses and corns.
• Neuromas: This is basically the enlargement of a nerve segment between your third and fourth toes. It leads to swelling, numbness, and discomfort while walking.
• Bone Spurs: This is a bone overgrowth and is normally caused by trauma, pressure, or reactive stress of ligaments and tendons. Bone Spurs can cause you serious pain and can also restrict joint movement.

Out of all these issues, the most common foot surgeries we perform in our Beaconsfield, Amersham, and Chesham clinics are foot surgeries for ingrown toenail, hammertoe, and bunion and corn removal. We’ll highlight each one below!

Our podiatrists are experts in scalpel blade techniques and anesthesia administration, which lets them, perform foot surgery for nails. Ingrown toenails are very common and they occur when a toenail grows into the flesh next to it. This can be immensely uncomfortable. Ingrown toenails can also be caused because of the curvature of your toes, ill-fitting shoes, toenail/toe injury, or improper nail cutting.

If your ingrown toenail doesn’t heal naturally, you’ll have to visit a podiatrist to get it treated. They’ll most likely perform ingrown toenail surgery to remove a part of the nail, or the whole nail depending on severity.

Our podiatrists can perform foot surgery related to hammertoes. This is one of the treatments for imbalanced toe muscles. Hammertoes are usually caused because of ill-fitting shoes, pointed shoes, or narrow shoes. You can avoid having to get foot surgery for hammertoe by performing strengthening exercises and wearing properly fitted shoes. But, if your hammertoe persists, and you have symptoms like foot pain, redness, irritation, inflammation, burning, and corns or calluses, you may have to go in for foot surgery.

Another foot surgery our podiatrists perform often is bunion surgery and corn removal. Bunions are a condition in which you suffer from a bump at the base of your big toe (usually). Corns, on the other hand, are hardened areas of your foot that are thick-skinned. In most cases, when a person has bunions, they also have corns.

Both of these issues can be painful, if not treated in time. When ignored, foot surgery will be necessary.

If you had any questions relating to the type of foot surgery a podiatrist can perform, we hope you found your answers. If you have any questions, or think you may need to see a foot care specialist, don’t hesitate to reach out and book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic! Our experts will be more than happy to help you.

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