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March 2023

verruca treatment

Most Effective Verruca Treatment A Podiatrist Can Give

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verruca treatment : In this article, we’ll look for answers to questions like “does a podiatrist treat verrucas?” or “do podiatrists treat verrucas?”. Although foot conditions are a really common issue around the world, the role of podiatrists in it remains lesser known.

Though they’re not as popular, they are quite proficient in their jobs around the world. Moreover, people with experience of complications with verrucas have first hand experience of how podiatrists treat verrucas. Below you’ll learn about basic as well as advanced levels of verruca treatment podiatrists can give in the UK. Keep reading to learn more.

What do Podiatrists Specialise in?

Podiatrists specialise in treating various ailments of the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Many illnesses can be prevented, identified, and treated with their assistance. They can also handle issues with the feet brought on by underlying illnesses like diabetes and arthritis.

Certain exercises, using shoe inserts tailored to fit your feet, or drugs to treat skin issues may all be suggested by your podiatrist. Sports, kids, and workplace health are just a few of the areas of practice that some podiatrists specialise in.

Traditional Methods for Verruca Treatment

Most of the time, people take advice from their local pharmacist on how they should treat their verrucas. Moreover, people often opt to buy over-the-counter medicines from them as well. The over-the-counter meds that can be used to treat verrucas generally have Salicylic Acid in them.

The verruca’s top layer burns off due to salicylic acid. You have to put a lot of effort into the treatment as you need to remember to use the solution on a daily basis and spend time scraping off the dead skin from the verruca’s top every few days. The verruca may disappear in three months if you follow the therapy regimen exactly. When working with salicylic acid, it’s crucial to be well-versed with the appropriate safety measures. This method is also popular by the name ‘Acid Based Treatment’. Although these treatments can be effective in some cases, it may not work for people who have special conditions like diabetes. In such cases, it is important to consult with a podiatrist before trying out any treatment on your own.

How do Podiatrists Treat Verrucas?

As mentioned above, in some special cases like for people who have diabetes, etc, there may be serious complications. Here are some treatments that a podiatrist can provide:

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the procedure of freezing a verruca, whereas the traditional methods mentioned above practically burns the verruca out. Several chiropodists employ this form of freezing treatment to remove verrucas because it is so popular. They spray liquid nitrogen onto the verruca to carry out the procedure. The tissue of the verruca is destroyed by the liquid nitrogen when it starts to thaw. Although it may require as many as six treatments every few weeks apart in order to entirely eradicate the verruca. This method frequently yields speedier results than other forms of therapy. The drawbacks can include painfulness or tiny blisters to form close to the area of the treatment, etc.

Electrosurgery

This method involves administering a local anaesthetic close to the nerves feeding the area that needs treatment. The tissue with the infection is then ready for removal using the radiolase. After that the podiatrist applies pressure-relieving pad and antiseptic dressings (in case the area is weight bearing). 94 percent of verrucae cases respond to one treatment entirely, while the remaining 6 percent of lesions need a second. Also, you need to pay attention to the post-treatment care of the area affected.

Microwave Therapy

To treat skin damaged by a verruca, microwave energy is administered to the area using a specialised disposable probe. The heat produced by the microwaves in the tissues aids in the body’s production of an immune response to get rid of the virus that is causing the lesions.

Does a Podiatrist Treat Verrucas for People with Complications?

Podiatrists can treat people with complications such as diabetes, arthritis, etc. They often work with other specialists like dermatologists as a team. Additionally, there are some other treatments such as excisional surgery similar to electrosurgery, laser surgery and needling as well.

In any case, the best thing to do is to first consult with your podiatrist about your foot conditions.
It can be much easier for you to figure out the best way to deal with them without having to go through any struggle on your own.

Conclusion

To summarise, depending on your own fitness and decision, a podiatrist can suggest various effective treatments. Although verrucas tend to go away on their own without needing any treatment, it still varies from people to people. If you want to learn more about the verruca treatments podiatrists have to offer, Bucksfoot is the place for you. Visit our website to learn more.

About Podiatrists

What Is A Podiatrist And When Should I See One?

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People face various ailments, injuries and complications, etc. on a daily basis and they turn to a medical expert for advice and care. Injuries on the foot, and other such mishaps on the lower limbs have been a common part of everyone’s life as well. And there are various medical fields for various healthcare problems known to mankind. One such field is concerned with the treatment of the lower limbs such as the foot, ankles, etc
The specialist who carries out the medical treatment of the foot is called a podiatrist. Podiatrists can also handle sports injuries and other ailments affecting the foot and rest of the lower limbs.

What is a podiatrist?

Unlike Physicians or MDs, a podiatrist is a doctor who specialises and excels in podiatric medicine. They receive special training and education on ankle, foot and lower leg disorders.
In short, podiatrists are not technically like physicians but their training and education requirements are quite similar to that of the physicians.
To prepare for podiatry school, prospective podiatrists study biology, chemistry, and physics courses in college in addition to other science courses. The majority earn a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related branch of study.
They then spend four years in podiatry school. They look at how your muscles, nerves, and bones interact to make you move. During their residency training, podiatrists acquire practical experience in medical facilities like hospitals and clinics. They must pass a series of board certification tests after finishing this course. The letters DPM, which stand for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, are used after the name of a podiatrist who is completely licensed.

Which Conditions does a Podiatrist Treat?

A podiatrist can suggest treatment after making a diagnosis. Depending on the nature and severity of the condition, a podiatrist may collaborate with a different expert or an entire healthcare team.Hence, here are some conditions podiatrists diagnose and provide treatment for for your general know-how:
●Injuries on foot. Injuries such as fractures, strains and sprains, etc. on the lower limbs.
●Diabetic foot disorders. Infections, nerve damage, neuropathy, ulcers, etc. faced by diabetic people.
●Foot Abnormalities. Structural abnormalities on the foot such as hammertoes and high arches.
●Skin Conditions. Warts and verrucas, corns and calluses, etc.
●Nail conditions. Fungal nails, ingrown nails, nail infections
●Pain and Inflammation on foot. Pain and inflammation due to arthritis or gout and such disorders.

How do Podiatrists Diagnose Conditions?

Podiatrists begin as usual by first studying the medical history and the current case. Then they perform a basic checkup on the affected area on the foot. You may be asked to try and move your foot and fingers or walk around a little so the podiatrist can better understand the severity of the condition. Apart from that, podiatrists check for any swelling and discoloration on the skin.
Depending on initial checkup and findings, they may recommend that you get additional tests done before making a final diagnosis. Here are some tests that a podiatrist uses:

●Imaging tests. X-rays, ultrasounds, bone scans, CT scans, and MRI scans are all imaging examinations. These examinations can detect blood vessel blockages, bone fractures, and other structural issues.
●Blood Tests. You may need to get blood tests done to detect an infection or autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis.
●Quantitative sensory testing. It measures how well the nerves can detect changes in temperature and vibration using a specialised computer system. This test is used by podiatrists to identify hypersensitivity, diabetic neuropathy, and other nerve diseases of the foot.
●Electromyography. It measures how well the muscles interact with and react to nerve impulses. During this, the podiatrist inserts one or more very thin needles known as electrodes, into the muscles to detect any reaction from them. Results from an abnormal EMG test indicate a nerve issue and can help your podiatrist determine the best course of treatment.

When Do I need to see a Podiatrist?

When you experience any of the following issues, you should consider seeing a podiatrist:
●Skin breaks or abrasions
●Wart-like growths
●Your soles have peeling and scaling.
●Pain on the foot
●Thickened or discoloured nails

The first appointment to a podiatrist will be quite simple and similar to that of any other doctor. Therefore, they will first discuss your medical history, current medications, and previous procedures in the conversation.
Moreover, they’ll examine your posture as well as your joints’ range of motion and shoe fit. Additionally, treatments for foot abnormalities, ingrown toenails, heel and lower back discomfort, circulation issues in the feet if you have diabetes,etc. are common on the initial visit.

Conclusion


To summarise, if you’re concerned about your foot care as well, Bucksfoot clinic has the best team of podiatrists in Little Chalfont for you. We offer the best modern treatments and care for foot conditions and complexities. Visit our website to learn more.

Verruca Treatment

Verruca Treatment & All You Need To Know About It

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Verruca treatments have been very well-received among the masses recently. People searching “what are verrucas” and “Is a verruca contagious” on the internet, has led to verruca treatments’ popularity.

Most people develop verrucas at some point in their lives, according to research. Men are not as affected as women, though around 4-5% of the population suffers from them. Yet, children and teenagers are more likely to experience them than infants. In this article, we’ll learn about types of verruca treatments and other basic know-how about verrucas.

What are Verrucas and their Symptoms?

The warts have a solid appearance and may have little dots all over them. These are found on pressure points on the feet, such as the balls or heels. They appear flattened because of the pressure.

Most people with verrucas complain about pain when walking. Leg or back pain may result from altered walking posture brought on by pain from the verrucas in the pressure points of the feet.

Is a Verruca Contagious?

Although verrucas can spread into the family, they are not hereditary. Verrucas are contagious and spread to multiple people at once. Verrucas transmit from person to person. Sharing public baths where individuals with verrucas have already showered is a common method of dissemination. Whenever the skin on the foot is injured, cut, or ulcerated in any way, infections are a result.

Spread may also happen if someone bites their nails, shaves, or suctions their fingers.
As a result, the same person’s disease spreads to several body parts.

Verruca Removal

Generally, you need not visit a healthcare professional to get rid of your verrucas. Verrucas are usually harmless and go away on their own without requiring any sort of treatment. In the case of adults, they may take some time to go away, for children it’s in about two years or so. For adults it can also take about 5 to 10 years which depends on various factors.

You can check with the local pharmacist for advice and any over-the-counter meds to help with your verrucas. Though it’s still better that you visit your GP or General Podiatrist for better diagnosis and advice.

Verruca Treatment

Behold! the Unsightly Verruca’s Nemesis: The Swift Microwave Machine Swift is a proven solution that attacks verruca at its heart.

Over-the-counter Medicines

Verrucas can be treated with a variety of lotions, gels, etc. They are available without a prescription from a pharmacy. A component named Salicylic acid in many of the medicines, aids in removing the tough, outer covering of your verruca.

Although, there is a chance of irritation and scarring when using those products. Thus, avoid using salicylic acid treatments on your face or other major areas. If you have diabetes, are prone to ulcers, or have nerve damage, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it. Word to the wise, always read the instructions given on the labels and manuals and avoid treating broken skin areas.

Cryotherapy

Using liquid nitrogen to freeze a wart will cause it to fall off, a process known as cryotherapy.
A podiatrist can provide cryotherapy, but depending on where you live, it might only be an option for private treatment at a clinic.

During cryotherapy treatment, your doctor uses a spray or a cotton bud to apply liquid nitrogen to your wart. Depending on the technique involved, the size, and the location of the wart, freezing a wart can take anywhere from five to thirty seconds. Up to six repetitions of the treatment may be required between every two to three weeks. It can be uncomfortable and can cause skin blistering or scarring, thus it isn’t advised for younger kids.

SWIFT Microwave treatment

Like with most skin conditions and viruses, the most effective way to treat verrucas is to trigger the body’s immune system to allow it to heal. SWIFT microwave technology does the same when employed in the treatment. Its electromagnetic waves penetrate deep into the infected area and then trigger the immune system. This helps our immune system to become aware of the verrucas and to begin the self-healing process, while destroying the verruca.

Specialist Treatment Options

Specialists such as dermatologists also work with podiatrists in treating verrucas. If you have verrucas/warts on your face, you need to have more tests, etc, then your podiatrist may refer you to them. Dermatologists may also recommend stronger doses of medications for oral intake or applying on the skin. Moreover, in the case of any medical condition or prior medical history, you may also need to visit the specialist for advice.

Conclusion

To summarise, there are various treatments if you’re dealing with verrucas and want them taken care of. Bucksfoot Clinic is one such professional podiatrist treatment centre for your concerns about your footcare. Visit our website to learn more about the best verruca treatment available in the UK.

corn

What’s A Corn & What Are Its Complications?

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These days you can easily learn how to treat a corn if you look it up on the internet. Although its quite easy to do so too, there can also be a lot of vague information going around. Moreover, there’s not much about the complications a corn can cause if left untreated for a while.
Treatment for corns is not necessary if you are healthy unless they hurt or you don’t like the way they look. For the majority of people, corns and calluses simply go away if the friction or pressure is removed. However, in some cases you may need some medical attention. In this article, we’ll help you find answers to questions like “what’s a corn?” and “how to treat a corn?”. Keep reading to learn more.

What’s a Corn?

This one’s pretty simple. Corns are skin layers that are thickened because of your skin’s reaction to pressure and friction. Corns usually appear on the foot as your feet bear the whole body’s weight. It resembles a lumpy, rough, yellowish patch of skin.
Corns are a non-cancerous disorder. Thus, they can be treated with over-the-counter medications or professional care. Moreover, in many cases surgery isn’t required. If the affected area is exposed to friction or pressure after an effective treatment, corns may recur. To avoid developing corns, wear shoes that fit properly, and take good care of your feet.

Where do Corns Develop on Foot?

Corns can occur in various places on the foot such as:

  • Between your toes and fingers
  • Sides of your feet
  • Bottom of your feet/ soles
  • Under the toenail bed.

These places are the most likely to develop corns as they handle most of the weight during the whole body’s movements.

How to Treat a Corn?

Firstly, look for the source of your irritation before treating the corns. When the stress or irritation that is creating them subsides, they frequently disappear on their own.
Dermatologists advise the following methods for getting rid of corns if preventing more aggravation from the corn does not resolve your issue:

1. Warm water soak your foot

Ensure that the corn is completely submerged for 10 minutes, pr until your skin begins to soften.

2. File the corn using a Pumice stone

Dip a pumice stone in warm water and then rub it gently to file the corn. You can try to remove the dead skin by using gentle motions with this method. Be careful as to not file the corn too much as it can cause the affected area to bleed and cause infection.

3. Use lotion on the corn

Apply a salicylic acid-containing moisturising lotion or cream. Salicylic acid breaks down the corn that is made of protein keratin as well as the surrounding area with dead skin. However, people who have diabetes, brittle skin, etc should generally avoid using salicylic acid.

4. Use corn-pads

Using these donut-shaped adhesive pads, you can stop corns from rubbing against your shoes.
Make sure to not shave or cut the corns. Doing so could possibly cause a deadly infection of the nearby tissues.
These steps should help you get rid of the stubborn corns. Remember to keep repeating the processes such as soaking your in warm water to soften the corns everyday. After that, you can go ahead with the other steps such as filing the corn with the pumice stone.

What are the Complications if Left Untreated?

Though the treatment is quite simple, in certain cases, there may be complications. As mentioned earlier, people with diabetes, foot deformities, brittle skin and poor circulation have to get medical treatment as soon as possible. Here are some complications when dealing with corns:

1. Pain

You will most likely feel increasing pain before developing a persistent secondary disease, which sometimes also entails blisters or maybe even calluses.

2. Septic Arthritis

Bacteria can move through your circulation and affect one or maybe more joints if the corn gets infectious. You could struggle to move the joint and feel excruciating pain, redness, and swelling there. Moreover, the treatment for this ailment requires antibiotics, and frequently draining of synovial fluid in the joints is also a common method.

3. Bursitis

Usually, the treatment for this inflammation of a liquid sac (Bursae) between the bone and the skin requires antibiotics. Your doctor might occasionally need to inject a steroid along with draining the bursa’s fluid.

4. Osteomyelitis

The bacteria out of an infected corn can infect adjacent tendons and bone tissue if it spreads.
Those with diabetes are more likely to develop this illness because their feet frequently have inadequate blood flow. Typically, you may need to take antibiotics to eradicate the germs. Dead bone tissue frequently requires surgical removal.

Conclusion
To summarise, corns are seemingly harmless and easy to treat unless you have a special condition like diabetes. We hope this article helped you understand what’s a corn and how to treat a corn. If you wish to learn more about foot care, Bucksfoot Clinic is just the place for you. Visit our website to learn more about the care and treatments we offer.

ingrown or fungal toenails

How To Treat An Ingrown Toenail & Other Such Foot Conditions

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We’ve all experienced foot conditions in our lives & know how to treat an ingrown toenail, blisters and such issues. The human foot has more sweat glands than any other region of the body – 26 bones, 33 joints formed of sturdy tissues that hold everything in place. The fact that your weight in motion may exert hundreds of tones of stress each day on the foot makes it an evolutionary miracle. The toes, heel, and ball of the foot all function together to move you from one place to another.

Thus, your feet, an integral part of your body, are at a higher risk of damage due to the strain of moving you around. Additionally, ill-fitting shoes, regular wear and tear, etc., are the root of many foot issues, such as corns and calluses, verrucas, ingrown toenails, etc. In this blog, we will go through some simpler methods to treat an ingrown toenail and other foot conditions.

What are the Common Foot Conditions?

There are tens of foot conditions out there to watch out for. For an instance, some of the most typical foot conditions are:

  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Corns
  • Verruca’s
  • Blisters

We’ll take a brief look at how to treat an ingrown toenail, etc. Moving forward you will also learn about how to prevent them and who treats an ingrown toenail and other foot conditions.

Ingrown Toenails

Cause
Shoe pressure is the most frequent cause of ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails can also result from:

  • Unskillfully trimmed nails.
  • Repeated foot injuries brought on by daily activities (such as running, walking or exercising).

Prevention

  • When your nails are soft after a bath, trim them.
  • Use a nail clipper to cut toenails straight across so that they are just longer than the tips of your toes.
  • Avoid wearing tight/constrictive footwear.

How to treat an ingrown toenail

You can prevent the need for treatment by taking the above preventative measures. Soak your foot in lukewarm water with salt or lukewarm water with soap to ease the pain caused by ingrown toenails. Then cover the area with a bandage and apply an antiseptic. You could require medical attention if self-care efforts fail or if you develop a nail infection.

This simple treatment is said to be useful for other foot conditions such as corns, calluses, etc . Some of them need different medical treatments in case of complications such as infections in specific cases like verruca’s.

Who Treats an Ingrown Toenail?

There are medical professionals who treat ingrown toenails that also assist with other issues affecting your lower legs or feet. They can handle both injuries and the aftereffects of chronic illnesses like diabetes. They may be referred to as a podiatric doctor or a podiatric physician.

Podiatrists are medical professionals, although they do not attend conventional medical schools. They run their own institutions and organizations for professionals. Additionally, rather than “MD,” they have “DPM” (doctor of podiatric medicine) following their names (medical doctor).

Podiatrists can perform surgery, realign broken bones, provide medication, and request X-rays or lab tests. When a condition affects your feet or lower legs, they frequently collaborate closely with other doctors such as dermatologists, etc.

Health Issues Podiatrists Treat

Podiatrists treat a wide range of foot-related diseases in patients of all ages, including:

  • Sprains and Fractures
    When they affect the foot or ankle, podiatrists frequently treat these common wounds. They also work in sports medicine, treating athletes’ foot issues and offering advice on how to prevent them.
  • Hammertoes and Bunions
    These are issues with your feet ‘ bones. A bunion develops when the big toe joint at the base enlarges or becomes misaligned. The toe flexes in that direction toward the others.Any toe that doesn’t bend properly is said to have a hammertoe.
  • Nail conditions
    These include conditions like a fungal infection in your nail or an ingrown toenail.

When to see your Podiatrist?

There are numerous ailments and injuries that can mean a visit to the podiatrist. A podiatrist visit may be necessary for injuries such as ankle sprain, dislocated bones, toe fractures, ligament tears, and strained muscles. Appointments with a podiatrist may also be necessary if you have a condition like flat feet or high arches.
You should see a podiatrist if you experience chronic foot discomfort, redness, or swelling as well. Self-diagnosis, self-medication, and “bathroom surgery” may postpone treatment and exacerbate existing issues. Some foot issues are inherited or can be an indication of another medical issue.

Conclusion
In conclusion, we learned about how to treat an ingrown toenail as well as who treats ingrown toenails. Although many such conditions only need simple treatments and care, there are chances of complications in some rare cases. If you wish to learn more about foot care and podiatry, visit our website.