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Leena Lakhani

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.

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.

How To Treat An Ingrown Toenail & Other Such Foot Conditions

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.

Verruca Infection

Want To Learn About Verruca Infection? Read This Blog!

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The feet are also like the most rugged part of our body, naturally. Walking, running, etc. can place a lot of stress on the feet and as a result, various types of issues can arise. Foot issues can result from a variety of various kinds of damage and malfunctions, including injuries and inflammation.

One of the most complex parts of the body is the foot, which has 26 bones per foot.
Nevertheless, a person will likely walk 150,000 miles in their lifetime, or about six times around the world. Some of the main causes of foot issues are poor footwear, diabetes, and aging.
One of the most prevalent foot issues, the verruca infection, its causes, and when to seek treatment are highlighted in this article.

What Is Verruca Infection?

Verrucas or verrucae are tiny lesions, rough lumps, warts, or growths that frequently appear on the heels and balls of the foot, which frequently bear pressure.

Verrucas often go away on their own, but if they produce symptoms, they might need to be treated. Most people develop these verrucas at some point in their lives, according to research.
Men are not as significantly impacted as women.Around 4-5% of the population suffers from them, however children and teenagers are more likely to experience them than infants. These warts, which frequently afflict the hands, are more common in certain professions. These include office workers, engineers, butchers, etc.

Is A Verruca Contagious?

The first question that comes to mind when dealing with verruca infection is, “Is a verruca contagious?”.

Since verruca is an infection, it is contagious. Verrucas typically transmit from person to person. Such as sharing public baths where individuals with verrucas have already showered is a common method of dissemination.

Although this illness affects families, it is not hereditary. It affects multiple family members at once and is extremely contagious. If the skin on the foot is injured, cut, or ulcerated in any way, infections are frequently a result. Verruca infection spread might also happen if someone bites their nails, shaves, or suctions their fingers. As a result, the same person’s disease spreads to several bodily parts. There’s also symptoms to look out for in such cases.

Symptoms Of Verruca Infection

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

  • The sole of your foot appears to have a flat, white growth called a verruca.
  • There may be one or more little black specks under the skin in the centre of the verruca.
  • A verruca may appear by itself or in a group of other verrucas (mosaic warts).

Verrucas largely don’t have a lot of symptoms but they can cause sharp pain when you put weight on the affected area of your foot.

What are the Verruca Treatments?

Although verruca treatment isn;t necessary most of the time as it usually disappears on its own, it could take some time. Speak to a pharmacist if a verruca infection is causing you concern. They can provide you with verruca treatment advice and over-the-counter treatment recommendations.
Consult your General Podiatrist if over-the-counter medicine is ineffective in treating your verruca. Additionally, you ought to visit your General Podiatrist If your verruca is causing you severe anguish or pain, bleeding, spreading or expanding
It is highly recommended to visit your podiatrist if you’ve got conditions like diabetes. In such cases medical treatment is advised to avoid any kind of complications. Your podiatrist will inspect your verruca and look for more verrucae on your feet. They may advise a verruca removal procedure or send you for additional care, such as cryotherapy.
But in ordinary cases, to stop the infection from spreading, follow these instructions if you have a verruca on your foot:

  • Try not to touch, pick at, or scrape your verruca.
  • When swimming, cover your verruca with a waterproof plaster or a verruca sock.
  • When utilizing the locker rooms and shared showers, wear flip-flops.
  • Wear only your own socks and shoes.

What Complications Can Verruca Infection Cause?

Pain, subsequent bacterial infections, scarring, are the other common complications.The verrucae may have psychological effects, particularly in children, but that is still quite rare and it can be helped. Other than these few complications, they’re quite harmless in most cases. So much that that don’t even require any serious form of treatment, they basically just disappear for a majority.

Conclusion

Even though the verruca infection is usually easy to deal with, a visit to a professional still has its perks. If you’re looking to learn more about verruca treatment and other general podiatry information, Bucksfoot Clinic has the perfect team of professionals for you. Visit our website to know more.

Nail surgery

What Causes Redness Around Toenails & Who Can Help?

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Do you have discolored toenails or redness around toenails? Or perhaps you’re dealing with swelling, pain, burning sensations, or other issues. A problem with your feet should never be ignored, as even a simple ingrown toenail can lead to terrible infections.
But, who do you go to for these issues? Who treats ingrown toenails and other ailments in the feet? Podiatrists do. Podiatrists can help with pretty much any foot care issue. In this blog, we’ll give you a little more insight into the world of Podiatrists and what we do. Keep reading to learn more.

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

If you’ve ever wondered, “who treats ingrown  toenails?”, we’ll clear up that doubt for you. The best person who treats ingrown redness around toenails is a Podiatrist.
Lots of people still aren’t aware of what podiatrists do and still find themselves asking the question, “what is a Podiatrist?”.
Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist.
A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.
Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, we don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.
We can treat ingrown toenails, perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

Is A Corn Serious?

If you’re wondering, “is corn serious?”, we have an answer for you. Corn is serious only in rare cases with medical history. People with diabetes or foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, or other birth deformities are the most likely to get corns. Rest assured, they’re quite easy to take care of otherwise, and just about every household knows how to treat corn.

What Is Nail Surgery?

Lots of people ask the question, “What is nail surgery?”. Nail surgery is considered a minor procedure. It is usually conducted under local anesthetic, to help alleviate pain and infection in redness around toenails.
During nail surgery, a podiatrist might remove one or two sections from your nail, on each side. In some forms of nail surgery, your podiatrist may have to remove your whole nail, depending on the extent of infection/injury.
Once the nail surgery is over, the podiatrist will use a form of treatment to prevent the affected nail from growing again.

Who Does Nail Surgery?

Now that you know what nail surgery is, you’re probably wondering who does nail surgery.
Nail surgery is done by certified professional Podiatrists. Never get nail surgery from anyone who is not professionally equipped to handle it.

How Effective Is It?

Nail surgery generally is a permanent solution to your problem. Regrowth can occur occasionally, but this is in much less than 5% of cases out of thousands.

Are There Alternatives to Nail Surgery?

There are a few common routine treatments that act as alternatives to nail surgery. They aren’t permanent solutions, however, and only help for immediate and short-term relief. A common treatment used is cutting the nail back, but the nail often regrows with the same issue.
Every patient is different and has a different pain tolerance. This is why we aim to alleviate their pain as fast as possible, according to the treatment that suits them best. Though, when a patient comes in with a chronically infected nail, nail surgery is the only safe and viable option.

Why Should You See A Podiatrist?

Feet are often overlooked, but they are extremely important as they support you throughout your life. Did you know that by the age of 50, most people would have walked approximately 120,700 km? Can you imagine the stress on your feet for a lifetime? Feet are very important, complex structures consisting of tendons, ligaments, and bones. All of these parts have to work carefully in unison to keep you moving around. This is why it’s important to take care of your feet and visit a podiatrist the minute you notice something strange is afoot (pun intended!).

Book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic if you’re dealing with any of the following:

-Discoloured / thickened toenails
-Cuts/cracks in the skin on your feet
-Warts and other growths
-Pain in your feet
-Peeling/scaling on the soles of your feet
-Redness around toenails
Though these may seem like small issues, they can often lead to much bigger problems in the future. Our professionals will take a good look at your problems and help you with all your needs.

what’s a corn

Your Basic Know-How On How To Treat A Corn

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In this article, we’ll find out why keeping your feet hygienic and taken care of can pay off in a lot of ways. One such perk can be frequent visits to your podiatrist. There are various types of foot conditions out there and here we’ll learn about what’s corn and how to treat them. Keep reading for more.

What’s a Corn?

The first questions that come to mind when talking about corn are “what’s corn?” and “Is corn serious?”. For the latter question, the answer is, it depends on their severity. As for the question “what’s a corn?”… Corns are a result of repeated friction, rubbing, irritation, and pressure on the skin. The common cause is tight-fitting shoes. In most cases, corn can be avoided with a little attention and care.

Corns are typically small and round. Corns are usually found on the top or sides of your toes. Corns are classified into several types:

● Hard corns are small, hard, dense areas of skin that are usually found within a larger area of thicken skin.
Hard corns typically form on the tops of toes, where bone pressure rubs against the skin.

● Soft corns are whitish/grey in color and have a softer, rubbery texture.
Between the toes, soft corns develop.

● Seed corns are small corns that grow on the bottoms of feet.

Is A Corn Serious?

If you’re wondering, “is corn serious?”, we have an answer for you. Corn is serious only in rare cases with medical history. People with diabetes or foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes or other birth deformities are the most likely to get corns. Rest assured, they’re quite easy to take care of otherwise and just about every household knows how to treat corn.

How Do Corns Form?

Corns usually develop on the bony or prominent areas of the feet. Corns’ hardened layers of skin are your body’s way of protecting the underlying skin from irritation, etc. As you’ve learnt above, corns are a result of repeated friction, rubbing and irritation on the skin.

Many factors contribute to corn, for example:

  • Shoes that do not fit correctly. The most common cause of corn on the tops of the feet is this.
  • Long periods of standing, walking or running.
  • Physical activities that put a strain on your feet.
  • Going barefoot.
  • Less to no use for socks
  • Slipping socks and/or shoe linings under your feet while wearing shoes.
  • Walking incorrectly/ improper posture.
  • Physical activities that result in repeated friction on a skin area on your hands or fingers.

Moreover,

Common Symptoms For Corns

  • Typical symptoms of corn include:
  • Skin hardening occurs when there is repeated friction or pressure on the skin (corns and calluses).
  • A small, round, raised hardened skin bump surrounded by irritated skin (more likely to be corn).
  • Thick, hardened, and more flattened patch of skin (more likely to be callus).
  • Touch sensitivity is lower than that of the surrounding skin (more likely to be callus).
  • The bump’s raised area may be painful or uncomfortable (more likely to be corn).
  • Blisters, pain, and redness

How To Treat A Corn

You may already be aware of this by now that corn can be treated at home with simple remedies. It doesn’t necessarily need a podiatrist visit unless you’ve got foot deformities or you suffer more pain than usual from it. In short, anything out of the ordinary and you might need some medical assistance.

First, we’ll take you through a more run-of-the-mill way how to treat corn with common symptoms:

  1. Soak the area with the corn or callus (for example, your foot) in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the skin softens.
  2. Soak a pumice stone or emery board in the water.
  3. To remove dead tissue, gently move the pumice stone or emery board across the corn or callus while the skin on your foot is still soft.
  4. Continue to file the corn or callus away, moving the stone or board in a single direction.
    Take care and avoid removing too much skin, this could result in bleeding and infection.
  5. Every day, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to the corn or callus and the surrounding dead skin. (Look for urea, salicylic acid, or ammonium lactate in your products)

Note: It is absolutely not recommended to try to treat corn on your own if you have diabetes. It is most wise to get medical assistance in such cases to avoid any complications.

There are various tips and tricks on how to treat corn and it’s usually treatat home too. Although there’s an option for over-the-counter medications, they usually contain harsh chemicals. OTC medications are to be applied with utmost care otherwise they can cause injury to the surrounding skin.

How To Prevent Corns From Forming

There are various simple ways to prevent corn, such as:

  • Wear shoes that are well-fitting.
  • Wear socks with shoes, that’s what they’re for.
  • Make sure your socks are snug enough to not bunch up under your feet.
  • Use cushioned or padded insoles.
  • When performing manual labour or working with heavy or rough materials that can cause skin damage on your hands or fingers, wear gloves.
  • Inspect and clean your feet on a daily basis.
  • Wash your feet with warm soapy water, then pat them dry and apply a moisturizing foot cream.
  • Maintain proper toenail care.
  • Don’t walk around barefoot.
  • If you have sweaty feet, use foot powder on a daily basis to keep them dry.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a good podiatrist to treat a corn or consult about foot care, Bucksfoot Clinic is the right place for you. Visit our website to learn more about the services and care we offer.

about podiatry

What Is A Podiatrist?: All You Need To Know About Podiatry

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Podiatry, also known as chiropody, is the branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. A podiatrist, also known as a “foot doctor”, is a healthcare professional who specializes in this field.

Our podiatrists in Little Chalfont are highly trained and experienced professionals who can help with a wide range of foot and ankle problems. In this blog, we will be discussing all you need to know about podiatry, including what a podiatrist is, the conditions they can treat, and the benefits of seeing a podiatrist.

Whether you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, or if you’re at risk of developing foot problems, it’s important to understand the role of a podiatrist in maintaining your foot health. So, let’s dive in and discover the world of podiatry together.

What Is Podiatry?

Podiatry is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the feet and lower limbs. A podiatrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in this field. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions of the foot and ankle, such as injuries, deformities, and diseases. Podiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including heel pain, bunions, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, fungal nails, verrucae, flat feet, knee pain, leg length discrepancy, and diabetic foot care. They use a variety of techniques and treatments, including surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and medication.

What Is A Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the feet and lower limbs. They are also known as a chiropodist or a foot doctor. Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that affect the feet and lower limbs, including injuries, deformities, and diseases. They use a variety of techniques and treatments, including surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and medication to diagnose, treat and prevent these conditions. They also provide advice and education to patients on how to take care of their feet and lower limbs to prevent future problems. Podiatrists are licensed and regulated.

What Can A Podiatrist Treat?

A podiatrist can treat a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Heel pain
  • Bunions
  • Corns and calluses
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Fungal nails
  • Verrucae
  • Flat feet
  • Knee pain
  • Leg length discrepancy
  • Diabetic foot care

Who Can Benefit From Seeing A Podiatrist?

Anyone can benefit from seeing a podiatrist, but some groups of people may find it particularly beneficial. Some examples include:

  • People experiencing foot or ankle pain: If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, a podiatrist can help diagnose the cause of the pain and provide treatment options.
  • People with foot conditions: Podiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that affect the feet, such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and more.
  • People with diabetes: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing foot problems, and a podiatrist can provide specialized care and treatment to help prevent complications.
  • Athletes and active people: Athletes and active people are at a higher risk of developing sports-related injuries to the feet and ankles, and a podiatrist can provide treatment and advice on how to prevent these injuries.
  • Children and older adults: Children and older adults may develop problems with their feet that can make it difficult to move around. A podiatrist can help these groups maintain mobility and independence by treating these issues.
  • Pregnant women: Pregnant women can benefit from seeing a podiatrist to address any foot or lower limb discomfort caused by the added weight and stress on the feet and legs during pregnancy.
  • People with chronic conditions: People with chronic conditions such as arthritis, obesity, or peripheral arterial disease can benefit from seeing a podiatrist to manage pain, mobility, and prevent complications.

Why Should I See A Podiatrist?

There are many reasons why you might want to see a podiatrist. Here are a few:

  • Foot or ankle pain: If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, a podiatrist can help diagnose the cause of the pain and provide treatment options.
  • Foot conditions: Podiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that affect the feet, such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and more.
  • Diabetic foot care: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing foot problems, and a podiatrist can provide specialized care and treatment to help prevent complications.
  • Orthotics: Podiatrist can provide custom orthotics, which are special shoe inserts that can help correct problems with the way you walk and alleviate pain.
  • Sports injuries: Podiatrist can treat and prevent sports-related injuries to the feet and ankles, and also provide advice on how to maintain foot health while participating in sports activities.
  • Geriatric care: As people get older, they may develop problems with their feet that can make it difficult to move around. A podiatrist can help older adults maintain mobility and independence by treating these issues.
  • Children care: A podiatrist can also treat children’s foot and ankle problems, and provide advice on how to prevent problems from developing.

Seeing a podiatrist can help you with a wide range of foot and ankle problems, and also help prevent future problems by providing specialized care and education on how to maintain your foot and ankle health.

Podiatrists & Diabetes

A podiatrist can help people with diabetes manage their condition and prevent complications in several ways:

  • Diabetic foot examination: Podiatrist can perform regular foot examinations to check for any signs of damage or infection in the feet. They can also advise on how to take care of your feet to prevent problems from developing.
  • Wound care: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing foot ulcers and other wounds. A podiatrist can provide wound care and treatment to help heal these wounds and prevent infections.
  • Offloading: A podiatrist can recommend and provide offloading devices such as shoe inserts, special shoes, and casts, to take pressure off of areas of the foot that are at risk of developing ulcers.
  • Footwear advice: A podiatrist can advise on the appropriate footwear for people with diabetes and also provide custom-made shoes or orthotics to help prevent foot problems.
  • Monitoring for neuropathy: Podiatrist can also monitor for neuropathy, which is a condition that can occur in people with diabetes where there is damage to the nerves in the feet. This can lead to a loss of sensation in the feet and an increased risk of injury.

Referral to other specialists: If necessary, podiatrist can refer patients to other specialists, such as endocrinologists or vascular surgeons, to manage diabetes and its complications.

Where Can I Find A Podiatrist In Little Chalfont?

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, or if you’re at risk of developing foot problems, it’s a good idea to visit a podiatrist in Little Chalfont for an examination. At Bucksfoot Clinic, our team of experienced podiatrists are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our patients. We offer a wide range of services to help diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems, and we’re committed to helping our patients achieve optimal foot health.

Book an appointment with us today!

Ingrown Toenail Infection

Simple Guide To Ingrown Toenail Infection And Symptoms

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Ingrown toenails have plagued generations, and they still exist as one of the most common type of foot condition. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some pointers about ingrown toenail infection as well as ingrown toenail symptoms. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Ingrown Toenails?

Let’s start off with some basic knowledge about ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails ares a condition in which the side or a corner of a toenail starts growing into the skin and then the flesh. Anyone can have this condition, but people who have diabetes are more susceptible. Ingrown toenails are treatable at home in most cases, but since they can cause serious complications, medical treatment from a podiatrist is the best option.

What Are The Causes Of Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are a very common occurrence in both men and women. People with sweaty feet like (for example, teenagers and elderly people) are at a higher risk.
There are several things that can cause ingrown toenails, such as:

  • Curved toenails (irregular formation)
  • Toenail injury, like a stubbed toe or bruise from dropping something heavy on your foot
  • Cutting toenails in an incorrect manner
  • Wearing footwear that is too tight
  • Poor foot hygiene
  • Hereditary ingrown toenails
  • Among other causes for ingrown toenails are activities such as:
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Skating
  • Ballet
  • Martial arts (kickboxing, etc)

What Are The Symptoms Of Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenail symptoms are fairly noticeable in all of its stages. Early on, you might notice symptoms like:

  • Pain when any kind of pressure is applied on the toe or the foot in general
  • Pus like fluid building up around the toe (especially the corners)
  • Skin next the toenail becoming unusually soft, hard or even swollen

In case of an ingrown toenail infection, you may have symptoms such as:

  • Overgrown skin around the toenail
  • Swollen skin around the toenail which is often red
  • Sharp pain around the toenail
  • Bleeding and/or oozing pus

Be sure to get medical attention as soon as possible in such cases to avoid further complications.

What Complications Can Ingrown Toenails Cause?

If left unchecked and untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause infection in the bone in your toe. An ingrown toenail infection can also cause open sores, loss of blood flow to the infected area, etc. Even the tissue in the affected area can get decayed completely.
For people with diabetes, even a small cut, graze, or an ingrown toenail might quickly become infected due low blood flow and sensitive nerves.
As for people with hereditary ingrown toenails, multiple treatments and recurring pain can be a hassle. Your doctor may recommend that you opt for proper surgical treatment as well.

At-Home Ingrown Toenail Treatment

If there’s only the early-stage ingrown toenail infection, then a few home remedies and treatments can help, such as:

  • Soaking your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes, a few times a day (Note: Try to keep your feet and footwear dry in general apart from during treatment.)
  • Taking over-the-counter meds, like Tylenol
  • Applying antibiotic creams over the affected area

These are your average at-home ingrown toenail remedies. If you notice the symptoms persisting and maybe even getting worse, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Medical Treatment For Ingrown Toenails

The medical treatment for worsening ingrown toenail symptoms or ingrown toenail infection includes two surgical methods:

  • Partial Nail Removal: In this surgical method, the doctor numbs the toe and then narrows the toenail from the sides. It is said to be 98% effective in the prevention of future ingrown toenail related issues.
  • Total Nail Removal: This surgical method is said to be used when the ingrown nail is caused by thickening. The doctor administers a local pain injection removes the entire nail; this procedure is called matrixectomy, which is basically removing the toenail from the nail matrix under your skin.

After surgery, your doctor will bandage your toe and have you on your way home. You’ll probably need to keep your foot raised for the next day or two until your next visit to the doctor for the bandage removal. Be sure to avoid wearing closed footwear of any kind and wear special footwear instead to let your toe heal properly.
Once your bandage is off, you’ll be given prescription pain meds and daily salt water soaks,
In case of partial nail removal, the toenail might take a few months to grow back. If total nail removal surgery has been performed, then a nail can take up to a year to grow back.

How Do I Prevent Ingrown Toenails?

Prevention is better than cure. Here are a few ways to prevent ingrown toenails:

  • Trim your toenails straight across and make sure the corners do not curve inwards
  • Wear proper fitting footwear
  • Avoid cutting your toenails too short

If you already have genetically curved toenails, you may need surgery to prevent ingrown toenails.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for best treatments for your ingrown toenail, then you need not look further. Bucksfoot Clinic has got you covered. Book an appointment with us today!

what’s a corn

What’s A Corn? How Do You Treat It?

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If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “what’s a corn?” or wondering how to treat a corn, this blog is for you.

In this blog we’ll highlight all the important details you need to know about corns and how to treat corns. Keep reading to learn more.

What’s A Corn?

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.

How Can I Tell If I Have 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.

Am I Susceptible To Corns?

You’re more likely to develop a 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.

Are They Painful?

You’re probably wondering if corns are painful. The answer is both yes and no. When you first develop a 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.

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 eachother.
  • 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

How To Treat A Corn

If you’re past the stage of prevention and now need to know 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.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with a corn or callus that is hard to manage, don’t hesitate to contact us! Here at Bucksfoot Clinic, we offer the best solution to all your foot-related problems.

Verrucas

Verrucas: The unsightly persistant foe to your feet

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A Common type of infection that’s plagued about 10% of the world’s population. In this article, learn more about Verrucas on feet and Verruca treatment.

More About Verrucae

A very common question people ask is “Is a verruca a sore?”. Verrucas aren’t really sores, but they can cause a feeling of soreness on your feet due to their uncomfortable positioning. In reality, verrucae are a type of wart that are formed by the HPV virus and they tend to be very contagious.
They are difficult to treat, persistent, and unsightly. Some can persevere for years, growing deeper and impacting more and more on daily activities. But like most infections, they can be removed.
These are often confused with corns. Corns are thick skin on your feet that are painful when you walk.
Verrucae and Warts are viral infections that cause think skins, and these hurt when you walk. Since they’re an infection, they are contagious.

How Do Verrucae Spread?

Verruca/Warts can and do spread around the body and feet a lot of the time, they can be passed onto other people. This means that you can infect other people in the family, or can be infected by them. It is normal to get them when you share changing rooms or shower facilities (like swimming pools, or gyms) with other people.

TOP 10 WAYS TO PREVENT VERRUCAE

  • Always avoid direct contact with warts, this includes your own warts, always remember to wash your hands after touching the warts / verruca.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry, change your socks shoes regularly.
  • Avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools locker rooms and gym’s
  • Do not pick, scratch warts. They are viral infections and can spread easily
  • Do not use the same emery board, pumice stone, or nail clippers that you would use on healthy skin.
  • Do not share nail clippers, pumice stones or emery boards with other people. You can pass the infection to them or get it from them
  • Boil / wash your socks and bedsheets to prevent passing the virus to other people
  • Wear a pair of verrucae socks or use a use a transparent verrucae spray which can stop you getting re-infected.
  • Do not share socks or shoes with other people
  • Wear flip-flops or wet shoes in communal areas. This prevents the infection of your feet. Keep a

pair of flip-flops or wet shoes when you go to the pools or to the changing room shower.

MEANWHILE AT BUCKS FOOT CLINIC

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

HOW DOES SWIFT WORK ITS MAGIC?

While signaling the body’s immune system with its harmless electromagnetic waves to allow it to naturally fight against the virus and heal the affected area, SWIFT also works together to help destroy the verruca. Thankfully, the treatment takes up to 10 seconds per verruca.

Who can benefit from Swift Verruca treatment?

Almost anyone who has stubborn warts and verrucas on feet can benefit this verruca treatment. There are contra-indications to Swift but outside these anyone who has warts/verrucas on their hands or feet can benefit.

Precautions
If any of the following apply to you, speak to your Podiatrist before treatment –

  • Metal pins, plates or replacement joints in the foot or ankle
  • Pacemaker
  • Neuropathy or poor peripheral circulation
  • Poor or limited healing capacity
  • Immune suppression
  • Pregnancy or breast feeding.
  • Low pain threshold
  • Young children – treatment on children under ten years old may not be appropriate.

Other Forms of Verruca Treatment

Cryosurgery is one of the other forms of treatments. Podiatrists can use chemical therapy (chemotherapy), where they use a selection of different chemicals and acids to treat the virus.
Podiatrists can use, dry needling, where they can force the blood in the body to fight the verruca naturally. This can remove the most stubborn verrucae. they also use homeopathy where we use natural algae to help the body fight the verruca.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned more about verrucae, hopefully you’ll be more mindful about the pointers we’ve given in brief about the prevention as well as treatment. Be sure to book an appointment with us regarding your verruca treatment and we’ll make sure you receive the best of care with our Swift treatment here in Little Chalfont and Amersham

Ingrown Toenail

How To Treat An Ingrown Toenail

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The corner or side of a toenail grows into the tender flesh, a condition known as an ingrown toenail. As a result, there is discomfort, swollen, irritated skin, and occasionally an infection. The big toe is the one that is typically affected by ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails are frequently treatable by yourself. Your healthcare practitioner can help you reduce your discomfort and prevent ingrown toenail issues if the pain is severe or spreading.

You are more likely to experience ingrown toenail issues if you have diabetes or another condition that reduces the blood supply to your feet.

Symptoms

Ingrown toenail show the following symptoms:

  • Pain or tenderness
  • Inflamed skin
  • Swelling
  • Infection

Causes

The causes of an ingrown toenails are:

What Makes You Susceptible To Ingrown Toenails?

  • Being a teenager causes feet to perspire more, softening the nail and skin.
  • Cutting nails excessively short
  • Being less able to take care of your nails
  • Wearing footwear that limits your toes
  • Engaging in motions that put your toes at danger of harm, such as sprinting and kicking
  • Having a disease that reduces blood flow, such as diabetes

Can Ingrown Toenails Cause Complications?

If you have diabetes, which can result in inadequate blood flow and damaged nerves in the foot, complications can be particularly severe. Therefore, a minor foot injury such as a cut, scrape, corn, callus, or ingrown toenail may not heal appropriately and end up getting infected.

Prevention

Straight across nail trims are best. Never shape your nails to resemble the front of your toe. Ask the person giving you a pedicure to cut your nails straight across. Visit a podiatrist periodically to have your nails cut if you suffer from a condition that prevents enough blood flow to your feet and you are unable to trim your nails.
The pressure from your shoes on your toes may cause a nail to grow into the tissue if you cut your toenails too short.

Put on shoes that are comfortable. A nail may grow into nearby tissue if your shoes are excessively tight or press against your toes. You might not be able to tell whether your shoes are excessively tight if you have nerve damage in your feet.
Put on safety footwear. Wear protective shoes, such as steel-toed shoes, if your activities put you at danger of toe injuries.
Examine your feet. Check your feet every day for indications of ingrown toenails or other foot issues if you have diabetes.

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

If you’ve ever wondered who treats ingrown toenails, here’s your answer – we do! Podiatrists are the best people to see when it comes to any issue related to your feet, including ingrown toenails. We can treat your ingrown toenail before it turns into a nasty infection and save you a lot of stress, and money in the future.

How To Treat An Ingrown Toenail

  • lift the nail just a little bit. Your doctor may gently remove the edge of the ingrowing nail for a mild ingrown nail and place cotton, dental floss, or a splint underneath. This helps the nail develop over the skin’s edge and separates it from the skin above, usually taking two to twelve weeks. You’ll have to wet the toe and change the material every day at home. Additionally, your doctor can advise using a corticosteroid cream after soaking.
  • Taping the nail. This method involves applying tape to the ingrown nail and pulling the skin away from it.
  • using a gutter splint as support under the nail. Your doctor will numb the toe and insert a small tube with a slit underneath the embedded nail using this technique. Up until the nail has grown above the skin’s edge, this splint remains in place. This technique also lessens the discomfort caused by an ingrown nail.
  • removing the tissue and nail. Your doctor could advise removing a part of the nail and the underlying tissue if you experience the issue on the same toe repeatedly (nail bed). This technique might stop the nail’s growth in that area. Your doctor will use a chemical, a laser, or other techniques to numb the toe.

Conclusion

Here at Bucksfoot Clinic we have a reputation for results. With a little assistance and guidance from our years of experience, we can assure you a speedy recovery from your discomfort.

verruca infections

Important Things To Know About Verrucas On Feet

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Though verrucas are so common, people still have loads of questions surrounding them. In fact, people even get confused about whether they have a verruca or corn. In this blog, we’ll tell you all the important things there are to know about verruca infections. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Verrucas on Feet?

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight, or can be persistent for years on end.

What Is A Verruca Infection?

Verrucas 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.

How Do Verrucas on Feet Form?

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.

Do I Have A Verruca or a Corn?

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.

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 Bucksfoot Clinic. We’ll be able to diagnose your verruca and discuss treatment options, both clinical and home-based!

Conclusion

Now that you know everything you need to know about verruca infections, it’ll be easier for you to identify them and get the proper treatment required. In case you’re dealing with verrucas on your feet, or any other issue related to your feet, visit a podiatrist immediately.

Bucksfoot Clinic is here to help you! Book an appointment with us for quick and painless relief.

diabetic care

How Can A Podiatrist Help With Diabetic Care in Chesham?

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Podiatrist Help With Diabetic Care

Did you know that a limb is amputated due to diabetes every 20 seconds? Diabetes increases your chances of developing foot issues and complications. Typically, neuropathy in the feet and toes causes this kind of nerve injury.

Over time, you lose the ability to sense pain if you have nerve damage in your foot. When this occurs, a cut, wound, or injury to your foot or toes may go undiscovered. These minor wounds can develop into more serious issues, such foot ulcers, very fast.

Podiatrists can be of assistance here. Podiatrists are medical professionals that specialise in the care and treatment of the feet.

In this blog, we’ll give you a run-down on the relationship between our podiatry services and diabetic care in Chesham, Amersham, and Beaconfield. Read on to learn more.

How Can A Podiatrist Help With Diebetic Care?

An essential member of your diabetes health care team is a podiatrist. Podiatrists have received specialised training in evaluating nerve damage in the feet, identifying dangers to your particular foot health, and assisting patients in developing treatment and preventative strategies. Podiatrists assist in addressing the effects that diabetes might have on your feet.

What Foot Issues Can You Face Due To Diabetes?

There are several foot issues that people with diabetes may encounter, including:

  • Nerve Damage: Nerve damage, often known as neuropathy, can result in pain and numbness in your feet. In the long run, this may result in more severe issues, such as losing feeling in your toes and feet. When this occurs, a cut could not be noticed as an injury.
  • Foot Ulcers: An ulcer on the foot or toes is a wound that can develop. A portion of the foot’s tissue degrades, resulting in an open wound. These ulcers are prone to swelling and infection. Treatment is expensive and time-consuming. They can need to be amputated if they are not adequately treated or cared for.
  • Charcot Foot: Nerve injury in the feet can also result in the bones there being more brittle. These bones can fracture due to deterioration and cause foot abnormalities.
  • Amputations: Occasionally, damage caused by a foot ulcer or wound cannot be fixed. If this occurs, you could need to have an amputation.

These are just a few of the foot issues that might develop as a result of diabetes. Your precise risk factors and what to watch out for can be determined with the assistance of a podiatrist.

What To Talk To Your Podiatrist About?

Be sure to come prepared with information about your medical history and a list of questions or concerns when you make an appointment with a podiatrist. You might wish to bring up the following issues with your doctor:

  • Nerve Damage: Ask for a monofilament test or thorough testing for nerve damage if you exhibit symptoms of neuropathy. This will assist you in determining whether you have nerve damage, what you should do to prevent it from worsening, and the issues that come with it.
  • Foot Exams: Your podiatrist can demonstrate to you how to perform a foot exam at home and what to look out for.
  • Temperature Monitoring: Clinical studies have shown that temperature monitoring can reduce the risk of foot ulcers and amputations by as much as 87%. Discuss with your doctor how Siren Diabetic Socks can be used for continuous temperature monitoring as part of your treatment strategy. Siren Diabetic Socks have the advantage of alerting you to the first signs of an injury with a connected app in addition to physically protecting your feet.
  • Maintaining the health of your feet: Discuss daily precautions you can take for your feet with your podiatrist.

Looking For A Podiatrist Near You?

We hope this blog helped you understand the relationship between podiatry and diabetic care. If you’re looking for a podiatrist near you, you’ll be happy to know that Bucksfoot Clinic has many branches all over the UK. So, if you ant diabetic care in Chesham, diabetic care in Amersham, or even diabetic care in Beaconsfield… look no further. Book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic today.

chiropdy treatments

What are chiropody treatments?

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Chiropdy treatments

The average adult walks about 75,000 miles in their lifetime, placing a tremendous amount of stress on their feet. Although they are crucial to keeping us moving, our feet aren’t frequently discussed in terms of health and welfare. (chiropdy treatments)

Age is closely correlated with primary care visits in the UK for musculoskeletal foot and ankle issues, peaking in the 65–74 year age range. Early foot maintenance and seeking medical attention for any problems as soon as you become aware of them might help avoid more serious problems in later life.

In this blog we’ll explore what chiropody is and what chiropdy treatments are. If you’re looking for a podiatrist or chiropody treatments in Chesham, Beaconfield or Amersham, book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic today.

Without further ado..

What Are Chiropodists/Podiatrists?

Chiropodists, often known as podiatrists, are qualified to treat injuries to the feet and lower limbs, whether they are a result of ongoing medical conditions you have or an isolated incident.

In addition to diagnosing and treating fractures, deformities, tumours, ulcers, and skin or nail problems, they can also prescribe the proper medication. Additionally, chiropodists can offer preventative care. Regular visits to a chiropodist can help you avoid further complications and needless agony by preventing many foot disorders.

A trip to the chiropodist resembles a trip to any other doctor in many ways. The specifics of your consultation will depend on the problem, but generally speaking, an evaluation of the problem will be followed by a treatment strategy.

Where Do Footcare Issues Stem From?(chiropdy treatments)

Simple things like wearing the incorrect size shoes or getting into contact with someone who has athlete’s foot can cause certain problems. Other problems may be more complicated, such as pain in your feet when you walk, which may indicate a musculoskeletal issue that affects how your body moves.

Your risk of developing foot issues may also increase if you have certain medical conditions. Diabetes, for instance, can harm the nerves in the foot and limit blood flow there. Foot issues can also result from poor circulation brought on by other diseases like cardiovascular disease. Cuts and sores may not heal properly if your feet don’t have a healthy blood supply.

Common Foot Problems

There are a few typical foot problems that people experience, but if they are not treated, some conditions can become very severe. You can contact a chiropodist who will properly identify and treat the problem rather than suffering from it and only utilising over-the-counter medication.

Verrucas are a good illustration of this. They are widespread and, if left untreated, can grow to be exceedingly painful and huge. A chiropodist can do cryotherapy, which freezes the verruca and ensures that the virus is dead and won’t spread further. You can also receive treatment for other common conditions like athlete’s foot, rough skin, corns, thickened or infected nails, cracked heels, and thickened nails.

Musculoskeletal Issus

Your chiropodist can do exams if you have discomfort when you walk but are unsure of the cause. These assessments can help you figure out what is causing your pain. The evaluation will concentrate on how your body moves and enable the chiropodist to suggest a remedy. Foot orthotics, which you put in your shoes, are frequently used to support normal walking function and, over time, reduce pain. Your chiropodist can provide advice on additional interventions that other solutions might offer, including as care from a physiotherapist.

A Few Common Chiropody Treatments

Common Ailments

You might need to see a podiatrist for a variety of common foot ailments and infections. Anyone can experience painful, inconvenient conditions such as corns and calluses, verruca treatments, and ingrown toenails throughout their lifespan. You might require chiropody care if you notice anything wrong with the condition of your feet.

Simple nail trimming and foot soaks are just a couple of the personal foot care options that a chiropodist can provide in lieu of the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Podiatrists, who specialise in the foot, can pamper your feet from time to time in addition to helping to treat ailments.

Contact our fully licenced medical staff at Bucksfoot Clinic if you have a skin or nail condition on your foot that just won’t go away. Our chiropody treatments span from medical to basic foot care, and we can assess any potential issues with your feet and recommend the best course of action.

Assessments

If your foot problems are more joint, muscular, or bone-related, a biomechanical analysis may be necessary. When something goes wrong with your biomechanics, it can have an impact on your complete range of motion. Biomechanics refers to all the parts of your body that enable it to move and operate. Your podiatrist will examine your lower leg, foot, ankle, or any other portion of your lower leg that is bothering you during a biomechanical examination and will provide advice on the best course of therapy.

You can request a general consultation from a fully licenced podiatrist if you merely want their professional advice on your foot health and what you can do to treat or alleviate your concerns. Whether you are experiencing foot discomfort, ankle troubles, or lower limb problems like shin splints, our HCPC registered podiatrists can expertly assess your condition and can set you up with the appropriate course of action.

Our podiatrists can help with any problem, no matter how big or minor. We offer first-rate chiropody services tailored to your requirements and condition, and our expert advice can help you choose the best course of action for your care.

Custom Orthotics & Insoles

Custom-made inserts called foot orthotics can be put inside your shoes to help with biomechanical issues all over your body. Hammertoes, bunions, and heel and arch pain are all common problems. Medically crafted orthotics can significantly alleviate whatever condition is troubling you and realign your foot to increase your mobility and comfort.

At Bucksfoot Clinic, we can give you custom-made insoles and orthotics to enhance the health of your feet and lower legs as a whole, giving you comfort and ease of mobility. Contact us to learn more about how our chiropody treatments in Chesham, Beaconsfield, an Amersham can benefit you.

Ingrown Toenail Infections

What you need to know about Ingrown Toenail Infections

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Ingrown Toenail Infections are surprisingly common, and they usually occur due to negligence.

Read this article to learn more about ingrown toenail infections, their symptoms, and how to treat fungal toenail.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

It is necessary 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!

How Do Ingrown Toenail Infections Form?

The main cause of nail infections like these 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.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

In order to avoid nail infections like ingrown toenail infections, it’s important to recognize ingrown toenail symptoms in their early stages. This way, you can get the treatment you need at the earliest.

You may be dealing with an ingrown toenail if:

– You have tenderness/pain in your toe on one or both sides of the nail
– The area surrounding your toenail is red
– Your toe swells up around the nail
– You notice infection in the tissue around your nail

If you notice the above symptoms, visit a podiatrist and nip the issue at the bud before negligence turns it into a full-blown nail infection.

How To Tell If It’s A Nail Infection

In case you’ve landed on this article too late, and your ingrown toenail looks like it’s infected, but you’re unsure… Here are a few sure-shot symptoms that indicate you’re dealing with a nail infection:

– Swelling
– Pain on touching
Pressure under the nail
– Hardening / Redness of the skin around the nail
– Bleeding
– Throbbing
– Foul smell
– Oozing fluid / fluid buildup
– Pus or an abscess in the affected toe
– Warmth emanating from the area around the nail

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

A very common question that gets asked is “what does toenail fungus look like?”. It’s good to know the symptoms so you can know how to treat your fungal toenail.

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

– A change in colour of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
– Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
– Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
– Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
– Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

If you find yourself noticing any of the above symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus and you should seek treatment with a podiatrist accordingly.

How To Treat Fungal Toenail

There are lots of different at-home treatments for toenail fungus. Which one is most effective to you depends on your situation and symptoms. Our podiatrists will be able to properly diagnose and treat your fungal toenail efficiently. In general, oral antifungal medicines are very effective and have great potential. You may even pair these pills with topical antifungal cream / medicine for best results.

Apart from that, there are a few home remedies:

– Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.

– Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.

– Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.

We recommend seeing a podiatrist, however, because at-home treatments can go south very quickly if not performed correctly.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped answer your questions surrounding ingrown toenail infections and how to treat fungal toenail. If you think you may be dealing with any issues related to your feet, book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic! We’d be happy to help you.

ingrown toenail

Ingrown Toenail: Symptoms, Causes & How to Get Rid of Nail

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Ingrown Toenail

A frequent condition known as an ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of the toenail grows into the tender flesh. As a result, there is discomfort, swollen, irritated skin, and occasionally an infection. The big toe is typically affected by ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails are frequently treatable by yourself. Your healthcare practitioner can help you reduce your discomfort and prevent ingrown toenail issues if the pain is severe or spreading.

You are more likely to experience ingrown toenail issues if you have diabetes or another condition that reduces the blood supply to your feet.

In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look into ingrown toenail symptoms, causes, prevention, and how to get rid od nail infections. Read on to learn more.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

Some prominent ingrown toenail symptoms are:

  1. Tenderness and pain
  2. Inflamemation of skin around the affected area
  3. Swelling in the region
  4. Nail infection

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are commonly caused by:

  1. Wearing tight shoes, or shoes that don’t fit right. Especially in the toe region.
  2. Cutting toenails wrong (i.e. too deep, jagged, not straight across)
  3. Injury to the toenail
  4. Having naturally curved toenails
  5. Nail infections
  6. Certain medical conditions

Am I Susceptible To Ingrown Toenails?

There are several factors that increase your risk of developing ingrown toenails, such as:

  1. Having very sweaty feet. This softens the nail and skin around the nail, increasing your risk of ingrown toenails.
  2. If you cut your nails too short or round the corners too much, you are promoting nail growth into the skin.
  3. Poor nail and foot care practices.
  4. Footwear that constricts the toes.
  5. Taking part in activities that put your toes at risk, such as running and kicking.
  6. Insufficiency of blood flow caused by a condition such as diabetes.

Ingrown Toenails Prevention

  • Trim your nails straight across. Never shape your nails to resemble the front of your toe. Ask the person giving you a pedicure to cut your nails straight across. Visit a podiatrist periodically to have your nails cut if you suffer from a condition that prevents enough blood flow to your feet and you are unable to trim your nails.
  • Maintain average length toenails. Ensure that your toenails are cut so that the tips of your toes are in line. The pressure from your shoes on your toes may cause a nail to grow into the tissue if you cut your toenails too short.
  • Don’t forget to wear the right shoes. A nail may grow into nearby tissue if your shoes are excessively tight or press against your toes. You might not be able to tell whether your shoes are excessively tight if you have nerve damage in your feet.
  • Make use of protective footwear. Wear protective shoes, such as steel-toed shoes, if your activities put you in danger of toe injuries.
  • Examine your feet regularly. Check your feet every day for indications of ingrown toenails or other foot issues. Especially if you have diabetes or other similar issues that affect circulation.

If you notice the first signs and symptoms listed above, don’t panic! There are a few home remedies you can use for minor infections. Here they are:

– Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.

– Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gasses that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.

– Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.

– VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

If your infection has more serious symptoms, or persists after taking the above measures, visit a podiatrist immediately.

Conclusion

Though the above home remedies help fight minor infections, they aren’t as effective as visiting a podiatrist. A podiatrist will be able to tackle the infection and help you prevent it from recurring. If you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail infection and want to know how to get rid of your nail infection, book an appointment with us! We’ll be able to help you with all your podiatric needs.

Redness Around Toenail

Got Redness Around Toenail? Nail Surgery Could Help!

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Redness Around Toenail

Got a fungal nail infection/ingrown toenail infection that you just can’t seem to get rid of? Then nail surgery may just be right for you. The pain can be annoyingly unbearable, so why make it a recurring feeling when you can just get rid of it entirely? Nail surgery is the perfect fix to all your infection problems. You’ll never have to deal with redness around toenail again.

There are lots of questions surrounding nail surgery, however, and we’re here to clear them up for you. So, if you want to know more about what nail surgery is, who does nail surgery, how effective it is, and more, read on!

First, here are the most common reasons behind redness around toenail:

1. Injury:

If you stub your toe or drop something on your toe, this could lead to redness around the toenail.. A red toe can also be caused by other injuries, such as persistent pressure or abrasion from an improperly fitting shoe. In this case, you’ll also feel pain in toenail in shoes.

2. Skin Infection:

Cellulitis, a common skin infection, can occur when bacteria that lives on your skin enters your skin itself.

3. Irritant Contact Dermatitis:

Your skin may get inflamed when exposed to certain pollutants, like gasoline or detergents like soap and bleach.

4. Allergic Contact Dermatits:

Your skin can become inflamed when it comes into contact with an allergen, such as nickel or plants like poison ivy.

5. Athlete’s Foot:

Athlete’s foot, sometimes called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the toes or feet.

6. Nail Infections & Ingrown Toenails:

A condition known as paronychia, an infection of the folds of your nails usually brought on by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or a fungus, can result in toe pain and swelling. Nail infections like this can also be caused due to ingrown toenail that haven’t been treated correctly.

Now we can move on to more information about nail surgery..

What Is Nail Surgery?

Lots of people ask the question, “What is nail surgery?”. Nail surgery is considered a minor procedure. It is usually conducted under local anesthetic, to help alleviate pain and infection in toenails.

During nail surgery, a podiatrist might remove one or two sections from your nail, on each side. In some forms of nail surgery, your podiatrist may have to remove your whole nail, depending on the extent of infection / injury.

Once the nail surgery is over, the podiatrist will use a form of treatment to prevent the affected nail from growing again.

Who Does Nail Surgery?

Now that you know what nail surgery is, you’re probably wondering who does nail surgery.

Nail surgery is done by certified professional Podiatrists. Never get nail surgery from anyone who is not professionally equipped to handle it.

How Effective Is It?

Nail surgery generally is a permanent solution to your problem. Regrowth can occur occasionally, but this is in much less than 5% cases out of thousands.

Are There Alternatives to Nail Surgery?

There are a few common routine treatments that act as alternatives to nail surgery. They aren’t permanent solutions, however, and only help for immediate and short-term relief. A common treatment used is cutting the nail back, but the nail often regrows with the same issue.

Every patient is different and has a different pain-tolerance. This is why we aim to alleviate their pain as fast as possible, according to the treatment that suits them best. Though, when a patient comes in with a chronic infected nail, nail surgery is the only safe and viable option.

Conclusion

If you’re suffering from fungal nail infection or recurring ingrown toenails and redness around toenail, and are looking for a permanent solution, nail surgery may just be your best bet! Book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic for a consultation to see if nail surgery is the right option for you, and we’ll give you the best podiatric treatment in town!

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

Verruca Infection

Everything You Need To Know About Verruca Infection & Treatments .

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Verruca Infection & Treatments are very common, and we see them in our patients almost on a daily basis. They’re a pretty simple issue to deal with, but they can often become painful and hard to manage if not properly cared for.
There are lots of questions surrounding verrucas on feet, one of the most common being “Do I have a verruca or a corn?”. We’re here to give you the answers you need. So, if you want to know more about verruca infection and verruca treatment, read on!

What Are Verrcas ?

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, and mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnightan or can be persistent for years on end.

Verruca Symptoms

It’s very easy to confuse verrucas on feet for other types of warts and corns. That’s why it’s important to know the distinct symptoms of verrucae (yes, that’s the plural of verruca!). This way you can identify them and give them the correct form of verruca treatment.

There are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments:

  • There’s a black dot in the center of the raised skin (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)

What Causes Verrucas on Feet?

Now that you know more about the Verruca infection, it’d do you good to understand where it comes from so you can prevent it from happening to you. Especially if you have children or young adults at home since they’re the most prone and the virus is extremely contagious.

Verrucas are caused by HPV. Verruca infections can spread from person to person via direct skin contact or even just contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. You’re also more likely to get infected if your skin is damaged or wet, so swimming pools and communal showers tend to be a breeding ground for verruca infections. Apart from infecting (or being infected by) others, you can even further infect yourself by touching unaffected areas of your body. The viral particles tend to spread when you scratch a verruca. As with most viruses, your chances of developing verruca infections runs high if you have a weak immune system.

Do I Have A Verruca or A Corn?

Most people tend to confuse Verrucas for Corns. It’s a very common problem seen by Podiatrists everywhere. 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.

Since you already know how you can tell if it’s a verruca on your feet, we won’t get into too much detail. In fact, we have an article specifically for this question alone. So, if you want to know if you’re dealing with a verruca or a corn, read this article of ours. It’ll give you better insight into properly identifying the differences between the two so you can tell if you’re dealing with a verruca or a corn with ease.

Verruca Treatment

Now that you know a lot more about verrucas on feet and what causes them, you’d probably want to know how to go about verruca treatment.
There are many ways you can go about treating verrucas on your feet. Though they normally go away with time, if you find yourself plagued with verrucas on your feet and they’re either painful or just an eyesore, here’s a few treatments:

1.Home Remedies:

  • A great home remedy is taking a piece of banana skin and cutting it to be the same size as the verruca on your feet. Then, go ahead and place the piece of banana skin on the verruca and secure it with a plaster. Do this for about two weeks, every night before bed.
  • Garlic is an all-round cure-all and is generally just really good for your health. You can use garlic to treat your verruca as well. Take a piece of garlic and put it over your verruca infection and secure it with a plaster. If you do this daily for a month, your verruca should go away.
  • A study was done in which it was proven that duct tape surprisingly helps get rid of verrucas. Take a piece of duct tape and cover your verruca with it, and it should go away in a few weeks.

2.Medication:

  • There are many creams, medicated plasters, and gels that you can use to aid the treatment of your verruca. Most of these are readily available as over the counter products, so you can get them at your local pharmacy.
  • Salicylic acid is the key ingredient in all of these products and this is what actually treats your verruca. It helps soften the verruca significantly.
  • Never use salicylic acid products on your face because that can lead to some really bad scarring. Also, if you have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, consult your doctor before using these products.

3.Cryotherapy:

Cryotherapy is a very effective way to remove your verruca. It is the process in which your verruca is frozen with liquid nitrogen, which makes it fall off. If you’re interested in cryotherapy, please visit a podiatrist and never try to do this on your own. It can lead to scarring and is typically also mildly painful, so it’s not a great option for children and people who are sensitive to pain.

4.Check In With Your Podiatrist:

The best way to treat anything related to your feet is by visiting a podiatrist. They are experts at all things foot-related and will be able to treat your verruca with ease and painlessly. When you visit a podiatrist, they will most likely use SWIFT Machine Treatment to get rid of your verruca. SWIFT is a very quick and efficient way to treat verrucas, it’s in the name itself! SWIFT uses microwave energy for verruca removal. To learn more about what you can expect from SWIFT treatment, read our article on this topic!

Conclusion

If you think you’re dealing with verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate to seek help. Instead of suffering the soreness and the possibility of recurrence, visit a Podiatrist to help you deal with it permanently.

At Bucksfoot Clinic, we offer the best podiatric services. Contact us to book an appointment!

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

toenail fungus

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like & How To Treat Verrucas on Feet

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Toenail Fungus & Treat Verrucas

There are many questions surrounding toenail fungus and verrucas on feet. In this blog, we’ll answer the main ones. Keep reading to learn more.

First Off, What Is Toenail Fungus?

If you’re showing signs of discoloured toenails and other unpleasant symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”.

The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails, since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitised properly.

Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail / the cuts on your skin. It can change the colour of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

A very common question that gets asked is “what does toenail fungus look like?”. It’s good to know the symptoms so you can know how to treat your fungal toenail.

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

A change in colour of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

If you find yourself noticing any of the above symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus and you should seek treatment with a podiatrist accordingly.

What Is A Verruca?

Verrucas 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.

How Can You Tell If You Have A Verruca Infection?

Chances are you’ve had a Verruca before and just confused it for a corn or a wart. But there are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments. Verrucas are actually an infection caused by HPV and can be painful in comparison to normal warts or corns. They tend to form on the soles of your feet and may have tiny black dots in the centre, where blood has clotted in tiny vessels on the surface of your skin.

They can be painful when you put weight on them, kind of like stepping on a needle. They also tend to look flat because of the constant pressure put on them. They even develop in clusters in some cases and can fuse together, forming “mosaic warts”.
Which, again, sound super fancy, but definitely aren’t a piece you’d put up in an art exhibit. They’re actually kind of grotesque, but are totally normal.

To sum it up, you know it’s Verrucas on your feet when:
There’s a black dot in the centre (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)

How to Treat Verrucas on Feet

There are different ways you can go about verruca treatment. The most common ones are Salicylic acid, Cryotherapy, and SWIFT verruca treatment. Your podiatrist will be able to tell you which verruca treatment is best for you.
Here’s some information on each verruca treatment:

1. Salicylic Acid:

There are many creams, gels and medicated plasters for treating warts and verrucas. You can buy these over-the-counter, but only do so if you’re sure it’s a verruca infection. Most of these contain salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in treating verruca infections. Be careful when applying these medications, and try to use as little as possible in surrounding areas because it can cause irritation to healthy skin.

You can even protect the skin around the verruca infection with non-fragranced and natural petroleum jelly. Try not to get any of the treatment on broken skin. You can soften the area before-hand by soaking it in water and rubbing it to remove excess hard skin. Once dried, make sure to cover the affected area with a plaster. Apply the treatment according to your Podiatrist / Pharmacist’s advice.

2. Cryotherapy:

This is the process of freezing your wart or verruca using liquid nitrogen so it falls off. Most pharmacists have OTC cryotherapy preparations that contain other gases, but these don’t normally work too well because they can’t freeze at temperatures as low as liquid nitrogen, which is why it’s better if you visit a Podiatrist to get this done (book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today!). During cryotherapy, your doctor will apply the liquid nitrogen to your verruca using either a spray or a cotton bud. It usually takes between 5-30 seconds to freeze depending on the size and location and also the method used.

You may have to repeat the treatment multiple times till the verruca or wart eventually falls off. Cryotherapy, however, hasn’t been shown to work any better than salicylic acid and can often lead to blisters and scarring that can be painful, which is why it’s not recommended for younger children.

3. SWIFT Verruca 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!

If you want to efficiently and permanently remove your verruca, we suggest SWIFT treatment. Most Podiatrists would opt for this treatment as it is a very efficient and good solution to the problem of verrucas on feet.

Conclusion

It’s always best to see a Podiatrist when facing any issues related to the feet. Especially if you have a condition like diabetes or other circulation-related illnesses. Ignoring a simple issue on your foot can lead to something much bigger and way worse in the long run. In some cases, a simple infection could lead to amputation (especially in the case of daibetic patients).

If you think you may have an issue like fungal toenail or verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate and wait till it’s too late. Book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic for the best treatment you can get!

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

Ingrowing Toenails

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails & How To Go About Ingrowing Toenail Management

By Blog

Introduction

One of the most common issues we treat here at Bucksfoot Clinic is Ingrowing Toenail infections. It can be very difficult to carry on with ingrown toenail management on your own if you don’t know what to do, and this can turn into an infection. It can even lead to toenail fungus if not taken care of well.

We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about ingrown toenail infections. Read on to learn more.

What Is An Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Before we get into its symptoms, it would help to make it clear on exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe, since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is and why it’s important to know its symptoms early on, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.
You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • Foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around affected nail, accompanies with redness
  • You may experience a build-up / ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

 If you’ve ever wondered, “who treats ingrown toenails?”, we’ll clear up that doubt for you. The best person who treats ingrown toenails is a Podiatrist.

Lots of people still aren’t aware of what podiatrists do and still find themselves asking the question, “what is a Podiatrist?”.
A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with health issues like diabetes complications and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.

Though a Podiatrist IS a doctors, they don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.
We can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

Ingrowing Toenail Management

Another very important thing to take care of is ingrown toenail management. When you have an ingrown toenail, and you practice ingrown toenail management, you are generally safe from fungus and infection. Good foot care and hygiene are very important. Here’s how you can go about ingrown toenail management:

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put antibiotic / antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce the swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.

After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the underpart of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the main things about ingrown toenail infections, it’ll be easier to identify an issue before it gets out of hand. Book an appointment with Buckfoot Clinic if you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail infection. Our podiatrists will be able to help you!

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

Redness

What Causes Redness Around The Toenail?

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Are you experiencing pain in toenail due to shoes? Or perhaps you’re noticing redness around your toenail. Either way, a visit to a podiatrist would do you good. One must never ignore issues related to the feet as they can lead to larger issues, and in some cases, even amputation. Especially if you have diabetes and other circulation-related issues.

There are many possible reasons for pain in toenail due to shoes, and redness around the toenail. We’ve put together this blog to teach you about a few probably reasons. Here they are:

1.Injury:

If you stub your toe or drop something on your toe, this could lead to redness around the toenail.. A red toe can also be caused by other injuries, such as persistent pressure or abrasion from an improperly fitting shoe. In this case, you’ll also feel pain in toenail in shoes.

Treatment:

– over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve)
– immobilization, often by taping to a neighboring toe.

2.Skin Infection:

Cellulitis, a common skin infection, can occur when bacteria that lives on your skin enters your skin itself.

Symptoms:

– Fever
– Toe and foot pain
– Toe and foot swelling
– Redness around toenail
– Pain in toenail due to shoes

Treatment:

– antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), cephalexin (Keflex), and dicloxacillin (Pathocil)

3.Irritant Contact Dermatitis:

Your skin may get inflamed when exposed to certain pollutants, like gasoline or detergents like soap and bleach.

Symptoms:

– Toe and foot pain
– Rough skin
– Pain in toenail due to shoes
– Redness around toenail

Treatment:

– avoiding contact with the irritating substance
– moisturizer to relieve inflamed skin

4.Allergic Contact Dermatits:

Your skin can become inflamed when it comes into contact with an allergen, such as nickel or plants like poison ivy.

Symptoms:

– Toe and foot itchiness
– Scabs on toes and feet
– Redness around toenail
– Pain in toenail due to shoes

Treatment:

– avoiding contact with the allergen
– moisturizer to relieve inflamed skin

5. Athlete’s Foot:

Athlete’s foot, sometimes called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the toes or feet.

Symptoms:

– Toe and foot itchiness
– Peeling between toes
– Redness around toenail

Treatment:

– OTC antifungal sprays or ointments
– oral antifungal medications such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)

6. Nail Infections & Ingrown Toenails:

A condition known as paronychia, an infection of the folds of your nails usually brought on by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or a fungus, can result in toe pain and swelling. Nail infections like this can also be caused due to ingrown toenail that haven’t been treated correctly.

Treatment:

– soaking your toe in warm water
– antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
– antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag), clavulanic acid (Augmentin), or clindamycin (Cleocin)

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

If you’ve ever wondered who treats ingrown toenails, here’s your answer – we do! Podiatrists are the best people to see when it comes to any issue related to your feet, including ingrown toenails. We can treat your ingrown toenail before it turns into a nasty infection and save you a lot of stress, and money in the future.

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons for redness around toenails. Some are less severe and easier to treat than others. You should be able to take care of a minor injury, like a stubbed toe that isn’t broken, at home.

Visit a podiatrist for a complete diagnosis if you’re not sure why your toe is red and you also have symptoms like pain and swelling. You can book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic for the best treatment in town.

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

Verruca Infection

Verruca Treatment & More Information On Verrucas

By Blog

Though they are very common, there are still a lot of questions surrounding verrucas and verruca treatment. As podiatrists, we have extensive knowledge of verrucas and other foot-related issues. We’re here to answer your questions!

In this blog, we’ll touch upon the following topics:

  1. What are verrucas?
  2. Verruca symptoms
  3. How do verrucas form?
  4. Is a verruca contagious?
  5. Is a verruca a sore?
  6. Verruca treatment

Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Verrucas?

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight or can be persistent for years on end.

Verruca Symptoms

Chances are you’ve had a Verruca before and just confused it for a corn or a wart. But there are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments. Verrucas are actually an infection caused by HPV and can be painful in comparison to normal warts or corns. They tend to form on the soles of your feet and may have tiny black dots in the centre, where blood has clotted in tiny vessels on the surface of your skin. They can be painful when you put weight on them, kind of like stepping on a needle. They also tend to look flat because of the constant pressure put on them. They even develop in clusters in some cases and can fuse together, forming “mosaic warts”. Which, again, sound super fancy, but definitely aren’t a piece you’d put up in an art exhibit. They’re actually kind of grotesque but are totally normal.

To sum it up, you know it’s Verrucas on your feet when:

  1. There’s a black dot in the centre (in most cases)
  2. The “wart” is oddly cauliflower-shaped
  3. You feel a stinging “stepping-on-a-needle” type of pain when you apply pressure
  4. The lump is small and rough
  5. 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)

How Do Verrucas Form?

As mentioned earlier, verruca infections are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are lots of old wives’ 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.

Is A Verruca Contagious?

Since verrucas are formed by a virus, they are considered extremely contagious. Verrucas can spread through both, direct and indirect contact. This is why verrucas are commonly seen rapidly spreading amongst children in the playground, in the case of HFM. When someone with a verruca infection touches their verruca and then touches other surfaces, the virus can spread. The virus can also spread through direct contact, and it can also spread to other parts of the same body.

Is A Verruca A Sore?

Another very common question people ask is “Is a verruca a sore?”. Verrucae aren’t really sores, but they can cause a feeling of soreness on your feet due to their uncomfortable positioning. In reality, verrucae are a type of wart that are formed by the HPV virus and they tend to be very contagious.

Verruca Treatment

Now that you know a lot more about verrucas on feet and what causes them, you’d probably want to know how to go about verruca treatment.

There are many ways you can go about treating verrucas on your feet. Though they normally go away with time, if you find yourself plagued with verrucas on your feet and they’re either painful or just an eyesore, here’s a few treatments:

1. Home Remedies:

– A great home remedy is taking a piece of banana skin and cutting it to be the same size as the verruca on your feet. Then, go ahead and place the piece of banana skin on the verruca and secure it with a plaster. Do this for about two weeks, every night before bed.
– Garlic is an all-around cure-all and is generally just really good for your health. You can use garlic to treat your verruca as well. Take a piece of garlic and put it over your verruca infection and secure it with a plaster. If you do this daily for a month, your verruca should go away.
– A study was done in which it was proven that duct tape surprisingly helps get rid of verrucas. Take a piece of duct tape and cover your verruca with it, and it should go away in a few weeks.

2. Medication:

– There are many creams, medicated plasters, and gels that you can use to aid the treatment of your verruca. Most of these are readily available as over-the-counter products, so you can get them at your local pharmacy.
– Salicylic acid is the key ingredient in all of these products and this is what actually treats your verruca. It helps soften the verruca significantly.
– Never use salicylic acid products on your face because that can lead to some really bad scarring. Also, if you have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, consult your doctor before using these products.

3. Cryotherapy:

Cryotherapy is a very effective way to remove your verruca. It is the process in which your verruca is frozen with liquid nitrogen, which makes it fall off. If you’re interested in cryotherapy, please visit a podiatrist and never try to do this on your own. It can lead to scarring and is typically also mildly painful, so it’s not a great option for children and people who are sensitive to pain.

4. Check In With Your Podiatrist:

The best way to treat anything related to your feet is by visiting a podiatrist. They are experts at all things foot-related and will be able to treat your verruca with ease and painlessly. When you visit a podiatrist, they will most likely use SWIFT Machine Treatment to get rid of your verruca. SWIFT is a very quick and efficient way to treat verrucas, it’s in the name itself! SWIFT uses microwave energy for verruca removal.

Conclusion

If you think you’re dealing with verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate to seek help. Instead of suffering the soreness and the possibility of recurrence, visit a Podiatrist to help you deal with it permanently.

At Bucksfoot Clinic, we offer the best podiatric services. Contact us to book an appointment!

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

Diabetic Foot Care

Why Is Diabetic Foot Care So Important?

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Diabetes has many health implications. But did you know that it impacts your feet as well? When you have diabetes, it is important to take special care of your feet, as you are more prone to serious injuries and infections.
Diabetes affects the circulation in your body, and this can result in you losing feeling in your feet. When you are unable to feel sensation in your feet, it’s very easy to ignore minor cuts and other issues. This lets small issues fester into bigger infections and injuries. Diabetes also affects the way your body heals. This can result in slower healing of injuries, promoting infections and complications. In major cases, amputation may be needed.
This is why diabetic foot care is so important. It’s very easy to avoid serious foot problems by practising daily diabetic foot care and visiting a podiatrist at least once a year. Podiatrists handle diabetic foot care management and can help keep your feet healthy.
As podiatrists, we know how important it is to educate people with diabetes about foot care. We’ve put together this blog to explain diabetic foot care to you and help you understand how podiatrists can help. Read on to learn more.

How Is Circulation Affected in People with Diabetes?

As we said, diabetes can affect your body’s circulation. Having poor circulation can lead to a decrease in blood supply to your body, especially your feet. When your feet have a low blood supply, it makes it harder for small sores and cuts to heal. This can lead to severe infection. It’s important to catch the early signs of poor circulation to prevent these issues from occurring. If you feel cramps or pain in the backs of your legs while walking, you could have poor circulation.
Circulatory issues can also be further affected by your habits. In fact, poor circulation can happen due to the narrowing or hardening of clogged arteries as well. That’s why you should avoid smoking, maintaining high blood glucose levels, and having a high blood fat content.

Diabetic Foot Care Management

Now that you know more about diabetes and how it affects your feet, we can tell you more about diabetic foot care management.
It’s recommended you visit a podiatrist for a foot check-up at least once a year if you have diabetes. This is so you can have a professional take regular looks at your feet to detect any issues early on. This helps to prevent ulcers, cuts, sores, and other issues from turning into larger problems. You’ve probably heard that you can get gangrene due to diabetes. This is very true. As we mentioned earlier, serious cases can even lead to amputation. This occurs when you don’t practice diabetic foot care and delay treatment of any type of foot injury.
In truth, diabetic foot care management is not just a one-off thing. You must always take care of your feet, and practice daily diabetic foot care habits to avoid injuries and discomfort. Here are a few ways you can practice diabetic foot care management at home:

Daily Diabetic Foot Care Management:

If you have diabetes and also suffer from neuropathy or vascular disease, here’s how you can avoid foot complications:
– Make sure to clean your feet on an everyday basis. Always dry your feet well after washing them, especially between your toes.
– Always check your feet for redness, heat, swelling, or anything else out of the ordinary. These could be signs of infection.
– If your toes collect a lot of moisture, you can use methylated spirits to keep them dry.
– Take care of dry feet by moisturising them, especially in case of cracked heels. Avoid moisturising between your toes.

Diabetic Foot Care Practices While Buying New Shoes:

If you’re in need of new shoes, here’s how you can optimise them for your safety:
– Never feel pressured into buying shoes you don’t feel comfortable in. If you aren’t entirely happy with a pair of shoes, don’t rush into buying them.
– Try to avoid buying open-toed shoes. When you buy closed-toed shoes, avoid shoes with narrow toes.
– Make sure to measure your feet well and try on shoes properly to check them. Ensure they’re wide, long, and deep enough.

Avoiding Nerve Injury:

– Avoid walking barefoot.
– Make sure to wear the correct shoes. They must be protective and well-fitting. Try to avoid open-toed shoes as far as possible.
– Make sure to visit a podiatrist to treat corns, calluses, verrucas, and other issues.
– Always keep your toenails trimmed. Avoid cutting too deep and only cut along the natural shape of the toenail. File off rough edges after cutting.
– Avoid burning your feet by checking your bathwater temperature with your elbow before stepping in.
– Radiant heaters are hot, so make sure your feet don’t get too close.
– Make sure you are aware of any symptoms that might indicate a problem, such as decreased circulation, abnormal foot structure, or poor hygiene, every six months.

How Diabetes Affects Your Feet’s Nerve Supply

Now that you know how to go about some important diabetic foot care practices on your own, it’s important to know why they’re so integral. Especially when it comes to nerve injury and damage.
You have nerves all over your body that carry messages (feelings) to your brain. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet the most.
Insensitive, painful or numb feet can be caused by damaged nerves (neuropathy). There is a possibility of minor cuts, blisters or burns not being felt, and ulcers may develop without your knowledge. Burning, tingling, and pain are common symptoms of neuropathy. At night, it tends to be worse.
In spite of the fact that many people with nerve damage do not complain of any symptoms, they are still at risk for developing ulcers if they do not get the proper treatment.

Visiting a Podiatrist for Diabetic Foot Care Management

A podiatrist is a highly trained health professional who specializes in treating foot problems and preventing them.
If your feet aren’t feeling well or you have circulation problems:
– Visiting a podiatrist at least once a year is recommended.
– Avoid trying to treat corns, calluses, and other issues by yourself.
If you’re looking for a reliable podiatrist near you, contact us. Our leading podiatrists here at Bucks Foot Clinic have years of experience and are specialised in diabetic foot care management. Book an appointment with us for a consultation today.

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

About Podiatrists

Podiatrists & Chiropodists in Amersham: Who Are We?

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Podiatrists & Chiropodists in Amersham

A Podiatrists & Chiropodists is a medical professional who specializes in providing foot care and the subsequent treatments to do with general podiatry.. They are also capable of treating ankle and lower limb conditions, such as ulcers, nerve damage in the feet, and injuries sustained in sports.
One only becomes a Podiatrist after successfully completing podiatric medical school and going through the additional years of training required in a hospital. These additional years of training give these individuals the vital knowledge and experience to conduct Medical Podiatry services .
If you are looking for a Podiatrist or Chiropodist in Amersham, look no further than Bucks Foot Clinic. Read on to know more about all the conditions and treatments our services offer.

What Are Podiatrists/Chiropodists in Amersham?

A Podiatrist will first receive a doctorate degree from a certified institution of podiatric medicine. This is then followed by several years of training in hospitals, where the crucial experience is acquired. Although they have a wide understanding of human anatomy and physiology, they specialize in treating the lower extremities, and more specifically the feet.
After the completion of their training as a Podiatrist/Chiropodist they must then pass a few board certification exams before becoming fully licensed. The letters DPM appear after the name of a fully licensed podiatrist, which means Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
A Podiatrists is able to diagnose and treat various conditions, these include:

  • Abnormalities to the foots structure like hammertoe, flat feet, and high arches
  • Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout
  • Foot injuries like fractured or broken bones, sprains and strains
  • Diabetic foot disorders like chronic ulcers, infections, and nerve damage
  • Heel pain – plantar fasciitis
  • Skin conditions – corns, warts, plantar dermatosis, and athlete’s foot
  • Nail conditions – nail infections and ingrown nails

Are There Different Types of Podiatrists/Chiropodists in Amersham?

Similar to primary care doctors, podiatrists treat a variety of foot conditions under general podiatry, but others tend to specialize in specific types of podiatry, such as sports medicine and wound care.
Here are a few specializations of podiatrists in Amersham:

  • neurologic foot conditions
  • diabetes
  • pediatric care
  • orthotics
  • autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
  • circulatory food conditions
  • general or reconstructive surgery
  • dermatology

Podiatry Services: Diagnosis

Podiatrists will usually start the diagnostic process by examining the patients medical history and current symptoms.
They then perform a basic physical checkup of the foot. During this period, they look for signs of swelling and skin discoloration. One may be asked to walk around in different directions or to move their feet and toes.
They may recommend additional tests based on their initial findings before making their final diagnosis. There are several diagnostic tools available to podiatrists, these include:

  • Visual tests that show the details bone fractures, blocked or narrow blood vessels, and other structural problems. These include – X-ray, ultrasound, bone scan, CT scan, and MRI scan.
  • Blood tests to detect infections such as rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The nerves in the body are measured with a specialized computer system that measures how well they perceive variations in temperature and vibration. A podiatrist uses this test to diagnose diabetic neuropathy, hypersensitivity, and other nerve conditions of the feet.
  • A muscle’s ability to respond to nerve impulses can be assessed using electromyography (EMG). An electrode is placed into the muscle in order to measure electrical activity in the muscle tissue. An abnormal EMG reading can help your podiatrist guide your treatment.

Podiatry Services: Treatment

Once your podiatrist has made a diagnosis, they can provide the necessary treatment. Based on your diagnosis, your Podiatrist will then either initiate your treatment directly or put you onto the specialist for your condition. Podiatrists can provide the following treatments:

  • corrective footwear
  • Setting of fractured bones
  • prescription medication, such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and antifungals
  • joint aspiration, or removing fluid from the space around a joint
  • corticosteroid, or cortisone, joint injections
  • orthotic devices, including insoles and braces

Podiatric surgical procedures include:

  • setting broken bones
  • correcting structural abnormalities like hammertoes and flat feet
  • removal of bunions, bone spurs, and tumors
  • treating inflamed or torn tendons and ligaments
  • debridement of damaged, infected, or dead tissue

Conclusion

We hope this blog helped you clear any doubts you may have about podiatrists and chiropodists in Amersham. You’ve also learned how we usually go about general podiatry and podiatry services.
If you’re looking for professional help and treatment, contact us or simply book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic

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

corn

Want To Learn How To Treat A Corn? Read This Article!

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Want To Learn How To Treat A Corn?

As Podiatrists, we see Corns and Calluses almost on a daily basis. They are an extremely common condition and can range from being completely painless to extremely painful, depending on severity. It is important to identify when you have a corn, so you can know how to treat your corn properly.
Oftentimes, improper treatment and diagnoses of corns lead to pain. We’ve put together this article to help you understand more about corns, and how to treat a corn properly. Read on to learn more.

What Are Corns?

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 defense to protect the softer skin underneath from the pressure.

What Causes Corns?

There are many reasons people develop corns. Such as:

– Wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that tend to be too narrow for your feet. When your shoes are too tight, it creates pressure on your toes from friction. This can lead to the development of corns and calluses. People who tend to wear high-heeled shoes a lot can also develop corns and calluses on the balls of their feet due to the pressure created while moving.
– Staying on your feet for long periods of time, such as running, walking, or standing.
– Activities that tend to put pressure on your feet, especially labour and sport activities.
– Walking around barefoot on hard surfaces.
– Not wearing socks with shoes.
– Wearing socks that bunch up or slip around.
– Improper posture while walking; can put excess pressure on the outer or inner edge of your feet.
– Activities that cause constant friction on your feet and fingers.
– Deformities in the structure of your feet. E.g. Hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in feet.

If you do any of the above on a regular basis, you are highly likely to develop corns and calluses.

How Can A Foot Clinic Near Me Treat Diabetes?

Podiatry is a vital part of diabetic foot care in Beaconsfield that is sometimes neglected. Your diabetes care team should always include a podiatrist. They’ve been specifically educated to assess nerve damage in your feet and assist you in developing treatment and preventative strategies. They also pinpoint specific foot health problems for you!
Diabetes can have a significant impact on your feet, which is why it’s critical to consult a podiatrist at least once a year to address these issues.

Diagnosis

When dealing with a corn, it’s important to rule out any other probable causes of thickened skin, like cysts and warts. Your podiatrist will take a close look at your feet and diagnose the issue properly. Depending on the severity, they may even recommend an X-Ray in case your corn has formed due to a physical abnormality in your foot.

How To Treat A Corn: Medical Remedies

You already know what causes corns. For the most part, when looking at how to treat a corn, one must try to avoid repetitive actions that cause extra friction that leads to the formation of corns. You can help reduce your corn by wearing well-fitting shoes, protective padding, and other self-care methods. In case your corn persists, your podiatrist will give you relief through the following medical treatments:

– Trimming: Your podiatrist will most likely use this method to trim or pare down a large corn. They’ll treat the thickened skin using a scalpel. You must never attempt to do this yourself, as it can lead to an infection if not done right.

– Medication: Your podiatrist may use medications to help treat the corn. They may apply a patch on the affected area, consisting of 40% salicylic acid. These patches are usually available over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription. Your podiatrist will inform you on how to go about changing the patch, and how often. They may even recommend using a pumice stone, nail file, or emery board to gently scrub away the dead skin that remains, before re-patching it. They may even prescribe salicylic acid gels to put on larger affected areas.

– Shoe Inserts: In case your corn is caused by an underlying foot deformity, your podiatrist may prescribe show inserts for you. These are called “Orthotics” and are generally padded and custom-made to your specific needs. They will help prevent corns from forming in the future.

– Surgery: In the rare case that your corn is caused by improper bone alignment, your podiatrist may recommend surgery.

How To Treat a Corn: Home Remedies

If you’re wondering how to treat a corn at home, there are a few at-home remedies. If you suffer from circulation issues such as diabetes, contact your doctor before trying to treat your corn on your own.
If you don’t have any underlying health issues, here’s how to treat a corn at home:

-Soaking: Begin by soaking the affected area in a warm mix of soapy water. This will soften the corn, making it easier to get rid of the thickened skin.

-Thinning: After soaking the affected area, you can thin out the hardened skin. Make sure your corn is softened before attempting this. You can use an emery board, nail file, or pumice stone to gently rub away at the thickened skin. A washcloth will work just as well. Never use sharp objects to thin your corn away. Avoid using a pumice stone in case of diabetes.

-Moisturise: After doing the above, moisturize the area well. Make sure to use a non-scented and mild moisturized to avoid the risk of infection.

– Footwear: Make sure to wear comfortable socks and footwear. Your shoes must fit you well and be cushioned enough to not cause friction against the corn.

– OTC Pads: You can apply an OTC cushioning pad to protect the affected area. Avoid using OTC liquid corn removers. They contain salicylic acid, which needs to be applied with care. If done improperly, it can irritate healthy skin, cause inflammation, and lead to infections. This risk is increased in case you have a condition that causes poor blood flow, like diabetes.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you understand how to treat a corn. If you think you need to visit a podiatrist, contact Bucks Foot Clinic. We can help you with all things foot-care related.

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

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Diabetic Foot Care Beaconsfield: What You Need To Know

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Diabetes is a silent killer lurking out there for folks who don’t treat their body with the care it deserves. When you have diabetes, foot care is a very important thing to keep in mind.
We at Bucks Foot Clinic have put together this article to teach you a few important things related to diabetic foot care management. If you’re looking for a foot clinic “near me”, we’d be happy to help you. Read on to learn more about diabetic foot care beaconsfield.

Diabetic Foot Care Management: Simple Guidelines

Many of you are already aware of the threats diabetes poses to one’s body. But, did you know even a small cut to your foot can impose some serious consequences?
Diabetic foot care is very important as diabetes can be dangerous to your feet. It can cause nerve damage and take away the feeling in your foot. Adding to this damage, diabetes limits the blood flow to your feet, making it harder to resist infections and recover from injuries. With these problems, you may not notice a tiny object in your shoe which could lead to a blister or sore. A wound that does not heal or becomes infected could put you at risk of having to have your limb amputated. This is in extreme cases, and in cases of negligence.

Following these suggestions could help you avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg:

  • Keep your feet healthy by checking them daily. Make sure you watch for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or problems with your nails. Check the bottoms of your feet with a magnifying hand mirror. Contact a podiatrist if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
  • Wash your feet on a daily basis. Avoid hot water at all costs. Use only lukewarm water, as if you were bathing a newborn.
  • Diabetic foot care management is very essential for your feet. Use a soft sponge while washing your feet, be as gentle as possible. Carefully dry the space between your toes by patting gently.
  • To prevent dry skin from itching and cracking, use a moisturizer on a daily basis. Remember to avoid moisturizing between your toes as this may lead to fungal infection.
  • Clip your nails carefully and file the edges. Trimming them too short could lead to ingrown toenails, so be careful when cutting. Consult a podiatrist if you have any concerns about your nails.
  • Never attempt to remove corns or treat calluses on your own. Consult your doctor for the best treatment options.
  • Your socks should be clean, dry and changed on a daily basis.
  • Consider socks designed exclusively for diabetic patients. These socks offer increased cushioning, do not have elastic tops, are higher than the ankle, and are composed of moisture-wicking fibers.
  • Put on some socks at night before bed if your feet feel cold.
  • Always make sure to check your shoes and socks to avoid any tiny objects lying in there that could possibly cut you or harm your feet in any way.
  • In winter, try maintaining a warm and dry environment for your feet. Cover your feet with warm socks and avoid going in the snow.
  • Consider putting antiperspirant on the soles of your feet. This is beneficial if you have excessive foot sweating.
  • Walking barefoot is never a good idea. Not even in your own home! Wear a pair of shoes or slippers at all times. You could suffer a scratch or a cut if you tread on something.
  • Maintain a healthy blood sugar level if you are diabetic.
  • Don’t smoke, as it reduces the blood flow in your feet.
  • Check your feet daily. Regular visits to your podiatrist will help you avoid diabetic foot issues.

How Can A Foot Clinic Near Me Treat Diabetes?

Podiatry is a vital part of diabetic foot care in Beaconsfield that is sometimes neglected. Your diabetes care team should always include a podiatrist. They’ve been specifically educated to assess nerve damage in your feet and assist you in developing treatment and preventative strategies. They also pinpoint specific foot health problems for you!
Diabetes can have a significant impact on your feet, which is why it’s critical to consult a podiatrist at least once a year to address these issues.

Some Common Foot Problems People With Diabetes Face.

Diabetes poses a number of risks to the health of your feet. With diabetes, you are at risk of experiencing a variety of foot problems, including:

  • Nerve Damage: It’s possible that you’ll come across nerve damage. This causes numbness and pain in your feet. It can lead to more serious issues in the future, such as the loss of all feeling in your feet and toes. Small wounds and injuries go unnoticed when this happens, and they can lead to much larger and more serious health problems.
  • Foot Ulcers: Foot ulcers appear on the soles of your feet or on your toes. They are formed when the tissue on the affected region of your foot breaks down, resulting in an exposed wound. They can quickly develop in size and become infected. Foot ulcer treatment can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. If not treated appropriately and promptly, foot ulcers can lead to amputation.
  • Charcot Foot: Nerve damage can lead to bones in your feet getting weaker. This is known as Charcot Foot. When these bones become weak, they might fracture and cause foot abnormalities.
  • Amputations: Foot ulcers and open wounds can sometimes progress to the point where they can’t be treated or mended. If this is the case, you may need to have your leg amputated.

There are numerous amount of problems diabetes can cause to your feet. This is why seeking diabetic foot care management is very crucial. Here at Bucks Foot Clinic, we offer the best diabetic foot care in Beaconsfield. We will be able to identify risk factors that are unique to you, as well as inform you on what to look out for and how to avoid problems in the future.

Conclusion

By now you already know the importance of diabetic foot care management. Rather than Googling “foot clinic near me”, just contact Bucks Foot Clinic. With us, you will receive top-tier treatment and have top podiatrists assist you on your diabetic foot care journey.

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

Bucks Foot Clinic Podiatry

What Can Our Foot Clinic in Amersham Do For You?

By Blog

As Podiatrists, we see a variety of conditions related to the feet on a daily basis. We are well equipped to handle a wide range of conditions, as our Podiatrists have years of knowledge and experience to back them up. Here at our foot clinic in Amersham, we deal with verruca treatment, corn removal, foot surgery, and a lot more.

If you’re ever wondered about the services our foot clinic in Amersham has to offer, this blog is for you. Read on to learn more.

What Are Podiatrists?

Before getting into the various different services we offer, such as foot surgery, verruca treatment, and corn removal, it’d be best for you to understand what Podiatrists are, to begin with.

Podiatrists are medical practitioners who have experience in assessing, diagnosing, and treating conditions affecting the feet, ankles, lower limbs, and the structures that support them. Issues like foot pain can be caused by injury, overuse, or conditions that cause inflammation in any of the bones, ligaments, or tendons in the foot. Misalignment in the foot can often cause pain and affect how you walk or run. This misalignment causes strain on certain parts of the foot, ankles, calves, knees, hips, and even the lower back. A podiatrist can treat these problems caused by misalignment in a variety of ways, the most common of which is by fitting custom-made insoles (Orthotics) to relieve pain.

What Can We Do For You?

Now that you know what podiatrists do, here are a few of the services we offer here at Bucks Foot Clinic:

  1. Heel Pain:
    Stress fractures, Severs disease (common in children aged 9-14), tendonitis, arthritis, or nerve irritation are all common causes of pain. Plantar Fasciitis is another common cause (which we explain below). It could also be related to the shoes you’re wearing. Pain symptoms can range from mild to severe, and you will require a Podiatry evaluation to determine the source of your pain. Our podiatrists will be able to determine the best course of treatment for you, which may include footwear or orthotics advice, physical therapy, and an exercise/stretching programme.
  2. Sports Injuries:
    If you’ve suffered a sports injury to your foot or ankle, a Podiatrist may be your best option. They are not only well-trained to treat them, but they can also provide expert advice on how to avoid them. The following are some of the most common sports injuries that a Podiatrist can treat:
    • Foot Joint Sprain
    • Ankle Sprain
    • Plantar Fasciitis
    • Achilles Tendonitis
    • Shin Splints
    • Runner’s Knee
  1. Plantar Fasciitis:
    One of the most common causes of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis. It is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Physical therapy, the use of orthotics, a night splint to stretch the calf and arch of the foot, taping and strapping to reduce strain and provide support to the plantar fascia tissue in acute cases, and a stretching exercise programme are all examples of Podiatry treatment.
  2. Foot Arthritis:
    Foot arthritis (commonly seen in the big toe) causes the joints to stiffen and become immobile. This does not cause pain in and of itself, but changes in walking and gait patterns can lead to referred pain in the knees, legs, and hips. In some cases, where the arthritic change has advanced, there will be a pain in the associated joint, which is caused by bone rubbing where the joint has become eroded. Orthotics/shoe inserts may be used to reduce stress and loading on the arthritic joints as well as the knees, hips, and legs. Shoe advice will also be given; often, a change in shoe style is required.
  3. Bunions:
    Bunions are caused by enlarged joints at the base and side of the big toes, as well as the big toe being angled towards the other toes (this angulation is known as Hallux Valgus). Bunions can cause other foot deformities and issues such as hammer toe, corns and calluses, and ingrown toenails. If the pain of a bunion isn’t enough of a motivator to see a Podiatrist, the secondary problems often are, as the discomfort becomes unbearable. Podiatry treatment may include the use of orthotics to alleviate pain and discomfort, footwear advice, corn and callus removal, and the application of cushioned plasters and dressings. Bunions can also be corrected or removed altogether at our foot clinic in Amersham.
  4. Corn Removal:
    Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that form as the skin attempts to protect itself from friction or pressure. They frequently form on the feet and toes, as well as the hands and fingers. If you’re in good health, you don’t need to treat corns and calluses unless they hurt or you don’t like the way they look.
    Consult a podiatrist if you have significant pain, swelling, or redness in the area, or if you are diabetic. If necessary, a podiatrist can easily remove larger corns in the office using a surgical blade. They can shave away the thickened, dead skin with the blade without having to numb or inject the area. Because the skin is already dead, the procedure is painless.
  5. Verruca Treatment:
    Verrucas are often confused with corns, but they aren’t the same thing. If you want to know more about what verrucas are and how they differ from corns, read this blog postof ours.
    There are many potential ways in which our podiatrists can go bout Verruca Treatment. Depending on the severity of your verruca, we can go about verruca treatment through SWIFT Machine Therapy, to get rid of the verruca entirely. We can also use milder verruca treatments, like over the counter medications and more. The best way to know how to go about verruca treatment is by booking an appointment with us so we can examine your condition and treat it accordingly.
  6. Foot Surgery:
    There are many different types of foot surgery we can perform at our foot clinic in Amersham. Among the most common foot surgery we prescribe, is foot surgery for ingrown toenails.
    An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail’s edges curl into the flesh of the toe. Ingrown nails can occur as a result of an injury, excessive pressure on the toes (for example, if you run or participate in a high-impact sport), tight-fitting shoes, incorrectly cut nails or poor hygiene. It is excruciatingly painful, and if left untreated, it can become severely inflamed and infected. Podiatry treatment will begin with an examination of the toenail to determine whether conservative treatment, such as softening the skin and pushing it back away from the nail, will be beneficial.
    Toenail surgery, on the other hand, is required in many cases. Your podiatrist will either remove the nail completely or partially. If there is an infection, the nail is dressed with an antibiotic solution and then dressed to protect it and prevent further infection.

Conclusion

We hope this blog helped you understand the services we provide at our foot clinic in Amersham. If you want to know more, visit our website or just book an appointment for a consultation with our podiatrists.

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

Looking For Verruca Removal in Amersham? Try Our SWIFT Machine Treatment.

By Blog

The days of the dreaded verruca being tough to treat are long gone! You can get SWIFT machine treatment and say goodbye to the verrucas that have been constantly pursuing your foot thanks to evergreen technology. Read on to learn more about verrucas and how SWIFT therapy in Little Chalfont and Beaconsfield can help you treat them.

What Are Verruca?

You might probably be confused if you aren’t aware of what a verruca is. Verruca are contagious lumps/warts that occur on the soles of your feet and are often unpleasant. They are frequently confused with corns, although they are not the same.

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 and licensed by podiatrists all over. Using microwave energy, SWIFT treatment treats the afflicted area with a probe placed on the skin. You can get rid of as many verrucas and warts in one sitting using SWIFT Machine Treatment, and it’s rapid and painless. The icing on the cake is that no anesthetics or dressings are required afterwards!

How Does Verruca Removal in Amersham Work?

As mentioned earlier, SWIFT uses microwave energy to aid in the healing of the affected area of your skin. You don’t have to worry about puncturing or damaging your skin with SWIFT, the treatment is rapid and effective. It uses the same technology that has been successfully utilised to treat cancer for the past 30 years. The SWIFT Machine Treatment is a non-invasive, highly successful technique. The best strategy to cure verrucas, as with other skin disorders and infections, is to activate the body’s immune system and enable it to naturally heal and eliminate the infected region. SWIFT therapy accomplishes exactly this. It utilizes microwave technology to send electromagnetic waves deep into the affected area, triggering the verruca’s immune system to begin the self-healing process while also eradicating the verruca.

Does SWIFT Machine Treatment Hurt?

Treatment for most skin issues can be slightly unpleasant. With regards to verrucas the situation is very similar. You may experience some discomfort throughout the therapy, although pain is a highly subjective experience. Although some people may find it more uncomfortable than others, the SWIFT Machine Treatment is generally considered to be painless. People who have had SWIFT therapy have described it as feeling like a sudden heat that lasts for 2-3 seconds before dissipating. You don’t need anesthetics for the treatment, however, if you have a low pain threshold, you can use them 45 minutes before the appointment. Your podiatrist may even recommend surgery depending on the size of your verruca.

How Many Sessions Will I Need With My Podiatrist?

A single session may be sufficient to eliminate a verruca or wart in some circumstances. In fact, many verrucas can frequently be removed in a single session. However, like with anything, the number of sittings required might be highly subjective. Everything hinges on how your body responds to the treatment. Because no two people are alike, some people may require more than one session, while others may be satisfied with just one. According to recent studies, the optimum outcomes are obtained by scheduling three sessions at four-week intervals. Your podiatrist may figure out these details with you and give you a better estimate of how many sittings you’ll need based on how your body responds.

What You Can Expect With SWIFT Treatment

The SWIFT Machine Treatment is a breeze! After cleaning the verruca, the probe is placed over the affected area and a precise and highly controlled amount of energy is delivered to it. When electromagnetic waves strike contaminated tissue, the temperature rises, killing the diseased cells. This also activates your body’s self-healing system, which ensures that the tissue begins self-repairing and producing fresh and new cells on its own.

SWIFT treatment gives you exactly what you expect, just as the name implies; a rapid and painless procedure. The zap lasts 2-5 seconds, and each verruca receives at least four zaps.

The “pain” is tolerable for most people, and the treatment has been compared to the sensation of a short injection.

The area may feel sore after the treatment, but you can still go about your daily activities as usual as long as you don’t put too much weight on your foot.

The total number of sessions required for SWIFT Treatments depends on the size, location, duration, number of verrucas on your feet, and how your body responds to the therapy. The recommended number of sessions (as previously stated) is three, with a four-week gap between them.

The verruca will not change in look after your initial sitting, but don’t give up hope. Although the visible results are slow, the healing process remains strong. All you need is a little patience, and after all of your sessions, you’ll see worthwhile results! Your immune system will need some time to catch up, which is why most treatments call for a four-week break to allow your body to adjust properly.

Is SWIFT Machine Treatment Right For Me?

SWIFT therapy is suitable for almost anybody with skin lesions, with a few limitations (listed below). SWIFT Machine Treatment is appropriate for older children as well as low-risk diabetics with good blood circulation. Your podiatrist will analyze you and give you advice before beginning therapy.

SWIFT Treatment may not be appropriate for you if:

  • If you have heart problems or wear a pacemaker, SWIFT Treatment may not be right for you.
  • In your feet, you have nerve damage.
  • You have diabetes or weak circulation (high-risk)
  • Your feet/ankles have metal pins/plates/replacement joints.
  • Your body isn’t very good at healing.
  • You’re taking immunosuppressive medications as a result of cancer treatment or rheumatoid arthritis (since they lower your immunity)
  • You are under the age of ten.
  • You have a high pain threshold (fear not, however, because in this case, you can use analgesics and go ahead with the procedure)
  • You’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and your immune system is in a state of flux during this time. As a result, the SWIFT Treatment may not be as effective.

Conclusion

Now that you understand SWIFT Machine Treatment better, you’ll be more inclined to try it out on your verrucae. Book an appointment with our Podiatrists at Bucks Foot Clinic to receive the best SWIFT Treatment in town.

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

Bucksfootclinic

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails & Other Related Problems?

By Blog
Caring for your feet is an integral aspect of your overall health. Your feet carry your body all throughout your life, which is why they need to be treated with importance.

There are a variety of things that could go wrong with your feet. From minor issues like corns to larger ones like infections. Sometimes minor problems can turn major due to infection without proper care. A prime example of this would be ingrown toenails. When left untreated, they can go south very quickly due to the development of infections. That’s why it’s important to care for them before they reach this point. Especially in case you have a circulatory-related problem like diabetes.

But, who treats ingrown toenails? If that’s a question you have on your mind, this blog is for you. We’ll teach you a little more about ingrown toenails as well as who treats ingrown toenails.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

First, it would help to make it clear exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.
Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.
This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.|
If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist.
A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.
Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, we don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.
We can treat ingrown toenails, perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

Podiatrist vs. Chiropodist: What’s The Difference?

You may hear people use the term “Chiropodist” instead of “Podiatrist”. In truth, there is no difference between the two. They are interchangeable terms and both refer to foot specialists. The only real difference is that the term “Podiatrist” is relatively new compared to “Chiropodist”.
Another commonly used term to refer to podiatrists is “Foot specialist”.

How Do I Know If I Have An Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.

-You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms:
-Swelling in the affected area
-Pain when you touch the area
-You feel pressure under your affected toenail
-Throbbing sensations in the area
-A foul smell coming from the affected area
-Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
-Hardened skin around the affected nail, accompanied by redness
-You may experience a build-up/ooze of fluid in the affected area
-Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
-You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
-The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

How Can We Help?

There are many ways in which our podiatrists can help you. They can give you advice and treatment to deal with discoloured toenails, nail infections, painful feet, cracksor cuts in your skin, growths like verrucas and warts, and more foot care-related issues.
Podiatrists can give you orthotics as well and can prescribe any medications you may need.
You don’t necessarily have to have a big issue to see a Podiatrist, as it’s recommended to visit one at least for a single session of consultation. Especially in the case of hard skin on your feet, or ingrown toenails.
Apart from this, Podiatrists can give you much-needed knowledge on foot care, like what kind of footwear to wear, and how to maintain foot hygiene.
They can also help with bigger issues and are very needed, especially for diabetic patients. They can treat issues and prevent them from recurring or becoming worse, and can also treat sports and exercise-related injuries.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about who treats ingrown toenails, what they are, and how to identify them, you may be looking for a podiatrist.

Look no further, Bucks Foot Clinic is here for you. Book an appointment with us today.

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

Got Verrucas On Feet? Our Verruca Treatment in Chesham Can Help.

By Blog

What Are Verrucas On Feet?

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight or can be persistent for years on end.

How Do Verrucas Form?

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.

How Do I Know If I Have Verrucas On My Feet?

It’s very easy to confuse verrucas on feet for other types of warts and corns. That’s why it’s important to know the distinct symptoms of verrucae (yes, that’s the plural of verruca!). This way you can identify them and give them the correct form of verruca treatment.

There are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments:

  • There’s a black dot in the centre of the raised skin (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)

Okay, I Have Verrucas On My Feet. Now What?

If you’ve noticed any of the above symptoms, you most likely have verrucas on your feet. You can try to deal with them using at-home remedies, but nothing works better than our Verruca Treatment in Chesham.

If you’re still unsure whether you’re dealing with verrucas or not, you can always book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic, where our top podiatrists can properly diagnose your condition.

Verruca Treatment Chesham

If you’re ready to bid your verrucas farewell, you can opt for our Verruca Treatment in Chesham.

Depending on the severity of your condition, there are different ways we go about verruca treatment in Chesham. The most common ones are Salicylic acid, Cryotherapy, and SWIFT verruca treatment. Our podiatrists will be able to tell you which verruca treatment is best for you.

Here’s some information on each verruca treatment:

  • Salicylic Acid:
    There are many creams, gels and medicated plasters for treating warts and verrucas. You can buy these over-the-counter, but only do so if you’re sure it’s a verruca infection. Most of these contain salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in treating verruca infections. Be careful when applying these medications, and try to use as little as possible in surrounding areas because it can cause irritation to healthy skin. You can even protect the skin around the verruca infection with non-fragranced and natural petroleum jelly. Try not to get any of the treatment on broken skin. You can soften the area before-hand by soaking it in water and rubbing it to remove excess hard skin. Once dried, make sure to cover the affected area with a plaster. Apply the treatment according to your Podiatrist / Pharmacist’s advice.
  • Cryotherapy:
    This is the process of freezing your wart or verruca using liquid nitrogen so it falls off. Most pharmacists have OTC cryotherapy preparations that contain other gases, but these don’t normally work too well because they can’t freeze at temperatures as low as liquid nitrogen, which is why it’s better if you visit a Podiatrist to get this done (book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today!). During cryotherapy, your doctor will apply the liquid nitrogen to your verruca using either a spray or a cotton bud. It usually takes between 5-30 seconds to freeze depending on the size and location and also the method used. You may have to repeat the treatment multiple times till the verruca or wart eventually falls off. Cryotherapy, however, hasn’t been shown to work any better than salicylic acid and can often lead to blisters and scarring that can be painful, which is why it’s not recommended for younger children.
  • SWIFT Verruca 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 or dressings afterwards!

Conclusion

If you want to efficiently and permanently remove your verruca, we suggest our SWIFT verruca treatment in Chesham. Most Podiatrists would opt for this treatment as it is a very efficient and good solution to the problem of verrucas on feet.

Book an appointment with us today.

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

Ingrown Toenails: Symptoms, Management, And More

By Blog

As podiatrists, we see a variety of conditions on a daily basis. One of the most common ones we treat is Ingrown Toenails.
When it comes to ingrown toenails, it is vital to know the symptoms to avoid infection. When you know ingrown toenail symptoms, you can treat the condition before it turns into something more serious. We’ve put together this article to educate you on ingrown toenail symptoms, management, etc.

Read on to learn more

What Are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown Toenails: Symptoms, Management, And More

Before we move on to ingrown toenail symptoms, treatment and management, it would help to make it clear exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.
If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Ingrown Toenails Symptoms

As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to catch ingrown toenail symptoms in the beginning in order to avoid developing an infection. The leading cause of ingrown toenail infections is negligence and lack of knowledge when it comes to ingrown toenail symptoms.

Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is and why it’s important to know its symptoms early on, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.

You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area 
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail 
  • Throbbing sensations in the area 
  • A foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around the affected nail, accompanied by redness
  • You may experience a build-up/ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored 
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin 
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue 

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

What Causes Ingrown Toenail Infections?

As we said earlier, the leading cause of ingrown toenail infections is a lack of understanding/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.

Am I Susceptible To Ingrown Toenail Infections?

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.
If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner. 

How To Manage An Ingrown Toenail

Another very important thing to take care of is ingrown toenail management. When you have an ingrown toenail, and you practice ingrown toenail management, you are generally safe from fungus and infection. Good foot care and hygiene is very important. Here’s how you can go about ingrown toenail management: 

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add Epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put an antibiotic/antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.

After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the underpart of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better.

Conclusion 

We hope this article helped you understand ingrown toenails, symptoms, and management better. If you think you may have an ingrown toenail, it’s best to treat it as soon as possible to avoid a nasty infection from developing.

Looking for reliable podiatrists to help you out? Book an appointment with Bucksfoot Clinic for the best ingrown toenail treatment in town.

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

How To Get Rid Of Nail Infection

By Blog

Out of all the patients we treat, we found that there was one very common issue they faced: Ingrown Toenail Infections.

Ingrown toenails are extremely common, but when left untreated, can lead to nail infections like fungal nail infections. That’s why it’s always best to treat your ingrown toenails before they get to this point. In case you’ve already developed an infection, we’ve put together this article to tell you how to get rid of a nail infection.

Read on to learn more.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

Before we move on to how to get rid of nail infection, it would help to make it clear exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

How To Get Rid Of Nail Infection

Nail infections are definitely not a pleasant sight, this makes a lot of people adopt the idea of “out of sight, out of mind” and completely ignore the infection. Doing so just prolongs the ordeal even though one can get rid of the infection quite easily without a doctor’s appointment.

Here’s how to get rid of nail infection at home:

  1. Non-Prescription Treatments/Over the Counter Remedies
    Some treatments do work when it comes to non-prescription treatments. It is possible to get inexpensive, non-prescription anti-fungal remedies at a drug store, but sometimes these tend to not be as effective, as they aren’t strong enough to fight the fungus.

Here are some other common treatments:

  • Mentholated Salve/Vicks:
    It may seem unlikely since Vicks VapoRub is made for cough suppression, but it is a great topical ointment for fungal toenails. Its 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 came to the treatment of toenail fungus.
  • Snakeroot Extract:
    Snakeroot extract is an antifungal 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.
  • 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.
  • Listerine/Vinegar:
    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-colored Listerine for 30 minutes every day.Vinegar is also 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.
  1. Prescription Medications
    You should check in with a dermatologist or podiatrist if your nail fungus doesn’t clear up at home. Your doctor may gently scrape under your nail to remove some of the fungus or send it to a lab for diagnostic testing. Stronger medications may also be prescribed.
  • Topical drugs
    For mild infections, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or cream solution to apply to the nail or lacquer to paint on the nail. Before applying these remedies, trim your nails and soak the affected area. Using this technique, the drug is able to attack the fungus on the deepest level. In addition, your doctor may suggest that you thin your nail first with a file or urea lotion (which will also reduce pain). That can help the medicine work better, too.

To get rid of nail fungus, you may need to use topical drugs such as:

  • Ciclopirox (Ciclodan, Penlac, Loprox)
  • Efinaconazole (Jublia)
  • Naftifine (Naftin)
  • Tavaborole (Kerydin)
  • Terbinafine (Lamisil)

When you apply them, you may experience side effects such as redness, swelling, stinging, and burning.

  • Oral medication
    The doctor may prescribe an antifungal pill you’ll need to take for 12 weeks if the infection is severe. Several studies have shown that drugs like terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) are highly effective at encouraging a new, healthy nail to grow in to replace the infected one.
    It is not recommended to give these pills to people with liver or heart conditions. There may be interactions with any other medications you’re taking, including beta-blockers and antidepressants.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you understand how to get rid of nail infections. If your nail infection persists or gets worse, you should visit a podiatrist immediately to avoid further complications. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric care in town.

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

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails: Podiatry Near Me?

By Blog

Do you feel pain in your toenail when you wear shoes? Or maybe the pain is prevalent irrespective of your footwear. Either way, you could just be dealing with an ingrown toenail or an ingrown toenail infection.

A lot of people aren’t sure how to properly treat and care for their ingrown toenails. In fact, some people even ask “who treats ingrown toenails?”. If you think you may be confused, this blog is perfect for you. We’ll explain what ingrown toenails are, their symptoms, how to deal with them, and who treats ingrown toenails (Podiatrists).

If you think you need to visit a podiatrist “near me”, book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

First, it would help to make it clear exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.

You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • A foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around the affected nail, accompanied by redness
  • You may experience a build-up/ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

Who Treats Ingrown Toenails?

 If you’ve ever wondered, “who treats ingrown toenails?” we’ll clear up that doubt for you. The best person who treats ingrown toenails is a Podiatrist.

Lots of people still aren’t aware of what podiatrists do and still find themselves asking the question, “What is a Podiatrist?”

A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.

Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, they don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.

We can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

Managing Ingrown Toenails At Home?

If your ingrown toenail looks like it’s just about budding and is still in its early phase, you can go ahead and try out any of the below ingrown toenail management methods.

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add Epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put an antibiotic/antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce the swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.

After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the underpart of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better. Finding a podiatry “near me” is fairly simple. You can just google it and you’ll find many viable results. Now that you’re here already, you can book an appointment with us too!

Podiatry near me

As we said above, it’s easy to find a podiatry “near me”. The internet is full of amazing information and businesses ready to help you out. We’re one of them! If you need a podiatrist near you, book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today!

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

Got Pain In Toenail Due To Shoes? Your Guide To Picking Toenail-Friendly Shoes

By Blog

Are you experiencing pain in your toenail due to shoes? You could be dealing with an ingrown toenail. Everyone experiences an ingrown toenail at least once in their life. It is completely normal, especially since we put so much pressure on our feet all the time.

Some people get ingrown toenails more often than others, and this is usually part of a larger problem. If you deal with ingrown toenails regularly, it’s important to understand why and how you can stop them from recurring.

More often than not, wearing ill-fitting shoes can trigger your ingrown nail and cause pain in your toenail due to the shoes. Shoes are not always the cause of the issue, but they are a big culprit in most cases.

As podiatrists, we want to do everything in our power to promote proper foot care. That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you understand why you may feel pain in your toenail in shoes. Read on to learn more.

What Is An Ingrown Toenail?

Before we highlight the reasons for the pain in your toenail in shoes, we’ll give you a background on what ingrown toenails are so you can understand them better.

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. This is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths in the bud!

Why Do I Feel Pain In My Toenail Due To Shoes?

 Now that you’re up to speed with what ingrown toenails are, here are the reasons you may be experiencing pain in your toenail in shoes:

  1. Small, Misshapen or Cramped “Toe Box”:
    The “Toe Box” is where your toes sit in your shoes. No matter what shoes your wear, your toes must always have enough wiggle room to move up and down and even side to side.
    When your shoe’s “toe box” is too narrow, your toes will be rendered immobile from being crammed up together. This allows extra force to be exerted onto your toes; not just from the sides of the shoe, but from the toes rubbing against each other themselves. When your toes are forced into this position often, it can make your nails grow irregularly, and often into the skin (i.e. ingrown toenails).
    If you wear shoes that are a size too small, you’ll feel your toes cram up against the front of your shoe. This is problematic as well. Even more so if you have a habit of cutting your toenails too short.
  2. Loose Shoes:
    Shoes that are too loose may slide around on your feet, especially when you’re running or playing sports. As opposed to being crammed in a small space, your toenails slam into the front of your shoes repeatedly.This is not an ideal situation either.

    This constant friction increases your risk of getting ingrown toenails, and it can also cause toenail trauma. Runners deal with “Black Toenails” a lot due to lose shoes, that cause bleeding under the nails. This can even lead to nails falling off and re-growing wrong.

  3. High Heels:
    When you wear high heeled shoes, you exert extra pressure on the front of your feet. The higher your heels, the more weight are put on your toes. Ill-fitting high heels can also push your toes against the front of your shoes, leading to ingrown toenails.
    This of course doesn’t mean you have to throw out all your high-heeled shoes. Though we wouldn’t recommend wearing high heels on the regular, here are a few guidelines you can follow if you do wear heels:
  • Try minimizing the amount of time you wear high heels. Maybe save them for just special occasions.
  • Make sure your heels are 2 inches and no more than that.
  • If you think you’ll be out for a long time, carry an extra pair of comfortable shoes to switch into.
  • Try to wear “chunkier” heels like wedges, rather than thin ones like stilettos.

What If My Shoes Aren’t The Problem?

 As we mentioned earlier, ill-fitting shoes aren’t the sole cause of ingrown nails, but they are usually the culprit when it comes to recurring ingrown toenails.

If you try following the above guidelines and wearing the right shoes but still find yourself suffering from ingrown toenails, you could be dealing with something else. Here are a few possible suspects:

  • The way you cut your nails. Cutting your nails too short, curving them in the corners too much, or leaving them long can lead to ingrown toenails and other issues. When you trim your toenails, make sure to cut straight across, corner to corner, with just a little “overhang.”
  • Genetics: Sometimes, people are naturally predisposed to getting ingrown toenails. This usually happens due to unusually curvy nails.

Don’t let this get you down, however! If you have a persisting ingrown toenail problem, we can help you. At Bucks Foot Clinic, our podiatrists will be able to identify the root cause of the problem and find a permanent solution. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may need to undergo a simple surgical procedure to fix your issue. We’d love to help.

Contact us and book an appointment today!

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

Managing Ingrown Toenail Symptoms & Nail Infections

By Blog

Nail infections are a very common issue people deal with. No matter how old you are, you are susceptible to a nail infection if you don’t maintain proper foot hygiene and practice foot care. You can develop a nail infection from a seemingly small problem if you don’t handle it right. For example, if you leave your ingrown toenail symptoms unattended for too long, you run the risk of it getting infected.

There are many factors that could lead to nail infections. As podiatrists, we know the importance of foot care. That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you understand more nail infections and how to identify ingrown toenail symptoms. Read on to learn more.

What Is A Nail Infection?

If you’re showing signs of discolored toenails and other unpleasant symptoms, you may just be dealing with a nail infection. Nail infections tend to commonly be fungal in nature.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”. The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitised properly.

What Are Ingrown Toenails?

A very common form of nail infection is an ingrown toenail infection. It’s important to know what an ingrown toenail is so you can treat it properly to avoid it getting infected.

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 nail infections can spread into the underlying bone structures of your feet. This is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths in the bud!

How Do Ingrown Toe Nail Infections Form?

The main cause of nail infections like these 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.

Identifying Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

 In order to avoid nail infections like ingrown toenail infections, it’s important to recognize ingrown toenail symptoms in their early stages. This way, you can get the treatment you need at the earliest.

You may be dealing with an ingrown toenail if:

  • You have tenderness/pain in your toe on one or both sides of the nail
  • The area surrounding your toenail is red
  • Your toe swells up around the nail
  • You notice infection in the tissue around your nail

If you notice the above symptoms, visit a podiatrist and nip the issue at the bud before negligence turns it into a full-blown nail infection.

 How to Tell If it’s A Nail Infection

 In case you’ve landed on this article too late, and your ingrown toenail looks like it’s infected, but you’re unsure… Here are a few sure-shot symptoms that indicate you’re dealing with a nail infection:

  • Swelling
  • Pain on touching
  • Pressure under the nail
  • Hardening / Redness of the skin around the nail
  • Bleeding
  • Throbbing
  • Foul smell
  • Oozing fluid / fluid buildup
  • Pus or an abscess in the affected toe
  • Warmth emanating from the area around the nail

Am I Susceptible To This Nail Infection?

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat them accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.
If you suspect you have a nail infection, or if you’ve identified an ingrown toenail in its early stages, book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic. We can help you kick that nail infection to the curb!

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

What’s Causing The Pain In Your Toenail?

By Blog

It is very common to experience pain in your toenails. Whether it is a pain in your toenail when pressed, or simply a general overall pain in the toenail, you should never ignore it. Pain in the toenail could be a smaller symptom of a much larger issue that requires immediate medical attention. Our podiatrists will be able to take a look at your aching toenail and diagnose the root cause of the issue and treat it accordingly.

You must never ignore any pain you feel, especially if you experience pain in your toenail when pressed. It could be a sign of an infection. You must always practice proper foot care and make regular visits to the podiatrist to help prevent serious illnesses. Especially if you have diabetes and other circulatory problems, a simple pain in your toenail could lead to a nasty infection, and when ignored for too long, could even result in amputation.

 

We’ve put together this article to help you understand the common causes of pain in toenails. Read on to learn more.

Why Do I Feel Pain In My Toenail?

Here are a few possible reasons for the pain in your toenail:

  1. Paronychia

Paronychia is an infection that affects the skin around your nails. Though it usually affects your fingernails, it can also affect your toenails.

You are at an increased risk of developing paronychia if you suffer from trauma to your toenail or have an untreated ingrown toenail. These issues make it very easy for bacteria to enter your system and give you an infection.

Often a simple foot soak can help ease pain and swelling. If even after frequent foot soaks your symptoms worsen, if you see pus or infection, or if you suffer from any immune system issues like diabetes, you would have to see your physician and get the infection drained.

With paronychia, you have to be on the lookout for any signs of cellulites. These signs could include pain, redness, and warmth of the cellulite-laden skin. These symptoms could present a serious bacterial infection, communicable to the surrounding tissue. If these symptoms do occur, see your physician immediately and be prepared for antibiotics.

With the increased severity of cellulites, you might see red streaks on your legs, fever, and nausea. If this does happen, you should get immediate medical care.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail
  • Warmth in skin and redness
  • Swollen toe
  • Pus
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  1. Toenail Trauma

Toenail trauma can occur when you drop something heavy on your foot, fall, stub your toe, or even wear shoes that don’t fit you right. You could also experience toenail trauma from exercising.

You’ll experience minor bruising, but it’ll go away on its own. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes to allow your feet to heal and ease the pain.

If your pain is severe, however, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to drain the blood out from under the affected nail. Never do this at home, because it could lead to a severe infection.

In some instances of toenail trauma, your toenail may just fall off entirely. The nail will regrow within the next few months. In case this occurs, make sure you keep your toe dry and clean at all times. Wear shoes to protect the sensitive area that is normally covered by the nail. Avoid shoes that put pressure on your toes.

You can take over the counter pain relievers to deal with the pain. Make sure to keep your foot elevated, because this helps decrease the swelling in your feet and toes.

If you still suffer from pain and there’s discolouration, or if you notice a dark area of “growth” under the infected nail, see a doctor immediately to rule out tumors.

Symptoms:

  • Reddish-black bruise under your nail
  • Pressure under your nail
  • Pain in toenail
  • Visible and distinct separation from skin and nail
  1. Hangnail

Though they are called “Hangnails”, they are not actually nails. Hangnails are actually small bits of skin that peel off the corner of your nail. They’re very common and can lead to pain in your toenail. They’re more common on fingernails but can also affect your toes. Some common causes are:

  • Soaps that irritate your skin
  • Cold climate
  • Nail-biting (for fingers)
  • Dry skin

It’s important to remember that you should never rip off a hangnail, as it can lead to infection. Hangnails may also bleed in some cases.

  1. Fungal Infection:

Fungal infections can affect your toenails or the skin on your feet and toes. When they affect your toenails, it’s called Onychomycosis. When it affects your skin, it could be athlete’s foot.

Onychomycosis can discolour and thicken your toenail. You may also experience pain, specifically when pressure is applied to your nail while wearing shoes.

You can usually treat this condition with medicated nail polish, which is available at most pharmacies near you. If you notice your symptoms get worse or do not go away, visit a podiatrist and they’ll be able to find the right antifungal medicine for you!

Symptoms:

  • Discolouration and thickening of the nail
  • Pain in toenail
  • Nail splitting
  • Itchy or painful feet or toes
  • Skin peeling between your toes
  • Redness
  1. Pain in Toenail When Pressed? It Could Be An Ingrown Toenail!

The most common cause behind pain in toenail when pressed is Ingrown Toenails. An ingrown toenail happens when the skin that surrounds your nail grows over the tip. When you cut your toenails shorter than you need to, or if you wear shoes that are too tight, you make yourself susceptible to ingrown toenails. When untreated, an ingrown toenail can be very uncomfortable and can also lead to infections like paronychia.

If your ingrown toenail is not significantly bad and doesn’t show signs of infection (like drainage and warmth), it can be treated at home. Soak your feet in warm water multiple times a day, this will help you with the tenderness and redness.

To give yourself relief when you have an ingrown toenail, take over the counter medicines for the pain and make sure to wear shoes that fit you well, i.e. don’t pinch your toes. This will allow your nail to heal as well.

If at-home treatments don’t help you, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to trim or partially remove the affected nail. If you notice your simple ingrown nail is worsening, visit a podiatrist immediately. You’ll know it’s worse if you notice pus, an unpleasant smell, and discharge.

If you have a condition like diabetes, visit a doctor or podiatrist as soon as you notice an infected ingrown toenail. You’re at high risk of developing a severe infection.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail and skin surrounding it
  • Redness around nail
  • Fluid-filled bump on edge of your nail bed

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the common reasons people get pain in their toenails, you’ll be able to identify and treat the pain in your toenail properly. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric treatment in town.

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

Understanding Simple Foot Problems: What’s A Corn & How To Treat Corns

By Blog

As well-renowned podiatrists, we see a varying array of foot problems every day. Among the most common is “Corns”. These are very simple issues, but if not treated well, can turn sour very quickly. Much like most health issues, it is important to know more about corns and how to identify them, so you can give them the correct treatment.

That’s why we’ve put together this article. This article will answer simple questions like “what’s a corn?” and “Are you likely to get one?”, and even delve into deeper topics like their symptoms and how to treat a corns.

Read on to learn more!

What’s A Corn?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “what’s a corn?” we’ll clear that doubt up for you.

Corns are usually classified alongside calluses, as they are usually similar in nature. The major difference is that corns tend to be painful in comparison to calluses. Corns and calluses are usually hard buildups of thick skin. They can form pretty much anywhere on your body but are most commonly spotted on your feet, fingers, and hands.

How Are Corns Formed?

Corns and calluses are usually the results of repeated friction, irritation, pressure, or rubbing on the skin. They are usually seen on prominent and bony areas of your body, like your feet and fingers. On the fingers, they form where there is constant friction on the skin. For example, when you hold a pencil or pen and write for a long time.

Corns and calluses tend to be hard as this is your body’s defense to protect the underlying area of skin from constant pressure and irritation.

Here are a few examples of reasons people usually develop corns:

  • Deformities in the structure of your feet. E.g. Hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in feet.
  • Wearing socks that bunch up or slip around.
  • Not wearing socks with shoes.
  • Walking around barefoot on hard surfaces.
  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that tend to be too narrow for your feet. When your shoes are too tight, it creates pressure on your toes from friction. This can lead to the development of corns and calluses. People who tend to wear high-heeled shoes a lot can also develop corns and calluses on the balls of their feet due to the pressure created while moving.
  • Staying on your feet for long periods of time, such as running, walking, or standing.
  • Activities that tend to put pressure on your feet, especially labor and sports activities.
  • Improper posture while walking; can put excess pressure on the outer or inner edge of your feet.
  • Activities that cause constant friction on your feet and fingers.

If you do any of the above on a regular basis, you are highly likely to develop corns and calluses.

How Do You Know If You Have A Corn?

Corns are rather distinct, so if you think you may have corn, here are the symptoms to look out for. You can identify 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. 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.

Are You Likely To Get Corns?

Corns and calluses can affect pretty much anyone. You are more likely to get corn if:

  • The bones in your feet are misaligned due to a medical condition. E.g. in the case of bone spurs, hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in the feet.
  • You don’t wear socks with shoes.
  • You don’t practice proper foot hygiene, or wear footwear that is not suited to your feet.
  • You smoke cigarettes.

How to Treat Corns

 Now that you’ve found the answer to the question, “what’s a corn?” and learned a little bit about corns, we can finally give you some insight on how to treat a corns.

If it isn’t infected, here’s how to treat corn at home:

  • Soak your feet in warm water to soften the corns
  • Use a foot file/pumice stone to gently rub and file away the hardened skin
  • Moisturise the area to keep the skin soft
  • Make sure to keep the area clean and moisturised, and wear cushioned socks with wide and comfortable shoes to avoid constant friction

It is always best to visit a podiatrist if you are unsure of how to treat corn at home, especially if you have diabetes or any other circulation-related issues. Here’s how a podiatrist can help you:

  • We’ll take a look at your corn first to identify it
  • We may prescribe antibiotics if it is infected
  • To remove the corn, we will slowly and gently cut it away
  • We will give you patches to help soften the area for removal
  • We can also prescribe you special soft pads to wear with shoes to take the pressure off the area.

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 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 foot pads can help ease the discomfort significantly. You can also use toe splints to prevent your toes from creating friction with each other.

Conclusion

 We hope this article helped answer your questions surrounding what corns are and how to treat corns. If you think you have corn, but it isn’t getting better over time, it may be time to visit a Podiatrist. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric treatment in town!

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

Ingrown Toenail Infection: Symptoms and Management

By Blog

Ingrown Toenail Infections are surprisingly common, and they usually occur due to negligence.

Read this article to learn more about ingrown toenail infections, their symptoms, and how to go about ingrown toenail management.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

It is necessary 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. This is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths at the bud!

What Causes Ingrown Toenail Infections?

The main cause of ingrown toenail 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.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

 Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is and why it’s important to know its symptoms early on, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.

You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • Foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around affected nail, accompanies with redness
  • You may experience a build-up / ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

Who Is Likely To Get Ingrown Toenail Infections?

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Ingrowing Toenail Management

If your ingrown toenail looks like it’s just about budding and is still in its early phase, you can go ahead and try out any of the below-ingrown toenail management methods.

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put antibiotic / antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.

After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the under part of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Apart from ingrown toenail management, it’s important to know how you can prevent the infection altogether. Prevention is always better than cure, so follow these rules so you never have to suffer from an ingrown toenail infection:

  • Whenever you trim your toenails, make sure to trim straight across. The edges of your nail must never curve inwards.
  • Try not to cut your nails too short.
  • Always only wear shoes that fit you properly. Your shoes must never be too tight, and your toes must always have breathing room inside. The same applies for socks and tights.
  • If you work in conditions that are hazardous in nature, i.e. construction, try to wear steel-toed boots while working to prevent heavy objects falling on your toenails and hurting them.
  • If you suspect that your toenails may be abnormally thick or curved, visit a podiatrist for confirmation. Surgery may be necessary for prevention in this case.

Conclusion

If you’ve tried the entire above pre-infection ingrown toenail management techniques, and it hasn’t worked… It may be time to visit a podiatrist. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today and kick all your foot problems to the curb.

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

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like? & How To Treat Fungal Toenail

By Blog

Toenail fungus is a very common reason for pain in toenails. Though it is a very common issue, there are still questions surrounding what toenail fungus looks like and how to treat fungal toenail.

We’ve put together this article to help you learn more!

First Off, What Is Toenail Fungus?

If you’re showing signs of discolored toenails and other unpleasant symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”. The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails, since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitised properly.

Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail / the cuts on your skin. It can change the colour of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

A very common question that gets asked is “what does toenail fungus look like?” It’s good to know the symptoms so you can know how to treat your fungal toenail.

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

  • A change in colour of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
  • Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
  • Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
  • Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
  • Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

If you find yourself noticing any of the above symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus and you should seek treatment with a podiatrist accordingly.

Am I At Risk For Fungal Toenails?

If you’re wondering whether you’re a candidate for toenail fungus, we’re here to answer your question. Just like all infections and diseases, certain people tend to be more at risk when it comes to contracting fungal nail infections.

You’re at higher risk of contracting fungal nail infections if you:

  • Have diabetes
  • Are over 65 years of age
  • Wear artificial nails / regularly get pedicures
  • Have a disease that causes poor circulation
  • Have a nail injury
  • Swim in public swimming pools often
  • Have a skin injury around your nail
  • Wear close-toed shoes often
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Leave your toes moist for extended periods of time

If you check yes under any of the above, don’t ignore your discolored toenails and see a podiatrist for treatment!

How to Treat Fungal Toenail

 It is very important to know how to treat fungal toenail, so you can avoid further infection/damage. When left undiagnosed and ignored, fungal toenails can go south very quickly.

If you think you may be dealing with toenail fungus, here are some home remedies to help treat it:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.

Not all of these at-home remedies may be best suited to you. The effectiveness of treatment truly depends on your symptoms and situation. Seeing a professional podiatrist will ensure a proper diagnosis which will lead to better treatment. In general, podiatrists will prescribe you with oral antifungal medications. These medicines are very effective and show the most potential in toenail fungus treatment. Apart from oral medicines, you may even be prescribed a topical antifungal cream. Pairing these two is usually your best bet for swift treatment.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped answer your questions surrounding toenail fungus. If you think you may be dealing with any issues related to your feet, book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic! We’d be happy to help you.

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

Podiatrist Near Me: What Is A Podiatrist? And More Answers

By Blog

You probably landed on this article because you googled “what is a podiatrist?” or “podiatrist near me”. Either way, it means you’d like to learn more about podiatrists and find one near you!

We’d love to help answer your questions, and let you know that we’re here for all your foot-care needs. Read on to learn more about how we can help you!

What Is A Podiatrist?

 

Lots of people still aren’t aware of what podiatrists do and still find themselves asking the question, “what is a Podiatrist?”.

A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes, and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.

Are Podiatrists Doctors?

Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, they don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.

We can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

Common Conditions Treated By Podiatrists

 Keeping in mind that podiatrists treat from any age bracket, here are some of the conditions they treat:

  • Sprains and Fractures: Podiatrists often work with athletes and treat them for sprains and fractures and how to avoid them. And are also actively involved in sports medicine and treatment of other foot-related issues.
  • Nail Disorders: It isn’t uncommon to visit your podiatrist for an infected toenail. These can be caused by an ingrown nail or be of fungal nature. Either way, it’s always best to get it checked by a podiatrist immediately.
  • Hammertoes and Bunions: In the case of a hammertoe, one isn’t able to bend the toe in the right manner. Bunions, on the other hand, occur when the big toe joint gets enlarged or moves out of place. Note that both bunions and hammertoes are problems related to the bones in one’s feet.
  • Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that occurs due to the wear and tear, inflammation and swelling of one’s joints. Depending on the intensity of the arthritis, your podiatrist will prescribe either drugs or medical shoes for posture and also physical therapy. In the off chance that conventional treatment isn’t helpful, one can undergo surgery.
  • Growing Pains: The formative years are very important as this is the stage your body is creating its structural base. Thus if one notices any irregularities with the structure of their children’s feet, like toes not lining up or flat feet, one should visit your podiatrist. They may advise a particular exercise or braces or even correctional surgery.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes boils down to the body’s mismanagement of the hormone known as insulin. Insulin is a compound produced by the body to break down sugar for the body. One of the effects of diabetes is nerve damage and difficulty supplying oxygenated blood to your feet. This can cause serious complications and can even result in a foot amputation. Meeting your podiatrist at an earlier stage is very crucial, as with the right aid one can avoid severe complications.
  • Heel Pain: Heel pain is commonly caused by calcium buildups at the bottom of your heel, known as “heel spurs”. These occur due to rigorous running, being overweight, or simply wearing ill-fitting shoes. There are other reasons you may be facing heel pain, as well. Plantar Fasciitis is a common reason, and it is basically the inflammation of a connective tissue that goes along your foot’s bottom area. This occurs widely due to non-supportive shoes and strenuous sports activities. Another common cause for heel pain is “Overpronation”, which is when your foot may bend inwards or outwards while walking. This usually affects athletes. Another reason for heel pain is “Achilles Tendinitis”, which makes the back of your heel ache, where the tendon is. Podiatrists can treat all of these issues with a wide range of treatments. Most commonly, they will start you off with OTC medications. They may even prescribe shoe inserts known as “Orthotics”. They can even perform surgery in dire situations.
  • “Morton’s Neuroma”: You can experience pain or burn in your feet due to nerve problems related to the third and fourth bones in your feet. It may even feel like there’s something in your shoe when there isn’t. This is called “Morton’s Neuroma”, and is commonly seen in runners. Wearing shoes that are too tight, or being affected by overpronation just makes it worse. Podiatrists are well equipped to handle this issue, and they can administer shots for pain and inflammation. They can even find the right orthotic (shoe insert) for you and perform surgery to remove it altogether.

Why Should You See A Podiatrist?

Feet are often overlooked, but they are extremely important as they support you throughout your life. Did you know that by the age of 50, most people would have walked approximately 120,700 km? Can you imagine the stress on your feet for a lifetime? Feet are very important, complex structures consisting of tendons, ligaments, and bones. All of these parts have to work carefully in unison to keep you moving around. This is why it’s important to take care of your feet and visit a podiatrist the minute you notice something strange is afoot (pun intended!).

Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic if you’re dealing with any of the following:

  • Discolored/thickened toenails
  • Cuts/cracks in the skin on your feet
  • Warts and other growths
  • Pain in your feet
  • Peeling / scaling on the soles of your feet

Though these may seem like small issues, they can often lead to much bigger problems in the future. Our professionals will take a good look at your problems and help you with all your needs, so you never have to search “podiatrist near me” online again!

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

How To Treat A Corn & Is A Corn Serious?

By Blog

Although corns and calluses are a very commonly faced issue, there are still lots of questions surrounding them. If you think you may have a corn, but aren’t certain for sure, this article may help you. We’ll even help you answer questions surrounding how to treat a corn and whether a corn is serious.

So, if you want to learn more about the hard bump on your foot, read on!

What Are Corns & Calluses?

Before we get into how to treat a corn and the different types of corns, it’ll help to know just what a corn is. Corns and calluses are usually hard buildups of thick skin. They can form pretty much anywhere on your body, but are most commonly spotted on your feet, fingers, and hands.

What Are The Different Types of Corns?

 Corns are significantly easy to identify, as they are characteristically round and small. You’ll most likely see these hardened areas of skin on the sides of your toes, or the top of them too. There are a few different types of corns, as follows:

  • Hard Corns: These types of corns tend to be small, hard, and dense. They usually encompass a much larger area of your skin and are commonly seen on the top of your toes. They usually occur due to bone pressure, hence the location.
  • Soft Corns: Soft corns tend to have a greyish/whitish tone, and are much softer and rubbery compared to hard corns. They usually show up in between your toes.
  • Seed Corns: These types of corns are normally seen on the bottom of your feet and they are typically small.

Why Do Corns & Calluses Form?

 Corns and calluses are usually the result of repeated friction, irritation, pressure, or rubbing on the skin. They are usually seen on prominent and bony areas of your body, like your feet and fingers. On the fingers, they form where there is constant friction on the skin. For example, when you hold a pencil or pen and write for a long time.

Corns and calluses tend to be hard as this is your body’s defense to protect the underlying area of skin from the constant pressure and irritation.

Are Corns Painful?

 Corns and calluses can either be painless, or can turn painful if not treated well. They are usually not painful as they develop, but become painful as they get harder over time. The area of skin that is raised can be sensitive or tender to touch. In general, though, corns aren’t too painful to deal with. However, like anything else, if they get infected, they can cause discomfort and pain.

Is A Corn Serious?

Corns are generally not a serious issue. They can be easy to deal with, but if you don’t treat them properly from the get go, you could potentially develop an infection. That would make the issue a serious one. Especially if you have diabetes or any other circulation-related issues. You should never try to treat your corn (or any other issue, for that matter) on your own when you have diabetes.

Am I Likely To Get A Corn?

 Corns and calluses can affect anyone. You are more likely to get a corn if:

  • The bones in your feet are misaligned due to a medical condition. E.g. in the case of bone spurs, hammertoes, bunions and arthritis in the feet.
  • You don’t wear socks with shoes.
  • You don’t practice proper foot hygiene, or wear footwear that is not suited to your feet.
  • You smoke cigarettes.

What Are The Common Causes of Corns?

There are many reasons people develop corns. Such as:

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that tend to be too narrow for your feet. When your shoes are too tight, it creates pressure on your toes from friction. This can lead to the development of corns and calluses. People who tend to wear high-heeled shoes a lot can also develop corns and calluses on the balls of their feet due to the pressure created while moving.
  • Staying on your feet for long periods of time, such as running, walking, or standing.
  • Activities that tend to put pressure on your feet, especially labour and sport activities.
  • Walking around barefoot on hard surfaces.
  • Not wearing socks with shoes.
  • Wearing socks that bunch up or slip around.
  • Improper posture while walking; this can put excess pressure on the outer or inner edge of your feet.
  • Activities that cause constant friction on your feet and fingers.
  • Deformities in the structure of your feet. E.g. Hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in feet.

If you do any of the above on a regular basis, you are highly likely to develop corns and calluses.

How to Treat A Corn

 If it isn’t infected, here’s how to treat a corn at home:

  • Soak your feet in warm water to soften the corns
  • Use a foot file / pumice stone to gently rub and file away the hardened skin
  • Moisturise the area to keep the skin soft
  • Make sure to keep the area clean and moisturised, and wear cushioned socks with wide and comfortable shoes to avoid constant friction

It is always best to visit a podiatrist if you are unsure of how to treat a corn at home, especially if you have diabetes or any other circulation-related issues. Here’s how a podiatrist can help you:

  • We’ll take a look at your corn first to identify it
  • We may prescribe antibiotics if it is infected
  • To remove the corn, we will slowly and gently cut it away
  • We will give you patches to help soften the area for removal

We can also prescribe you with special soft pads to wear with shoes to take the pressure off the area.

Ingrown Toenail Cure near Me

If you’re dealing with a corn or callus that is hard to manage, don’t hesitate to contact us! Here at Bucks Foot Clinic, we offer the best solution to all your foot-related problems.

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

“Ingrown Toenails Cure Near Me” and More About Ingrown Toenail Infections

By Blog

If you’ve landed on this article, you probably googled something like “ingrown toenails cure near me” and are looking for ingrown toenail remedies in Amersham. You’ve come to the right place!

Bucks Foot Clinic is here for all your podiatry needs, and we believe in educating our audience above all. So, we’ve put together this article to let you know everything you need to know about Ingrown Toenail Infections, including ingrowing toenail management. Read on to learn more.

What Are Ingrown Toenail Infections?

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe, since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Symptoms to Look Out For

 Here are some of the main symptoms to look out for, in order to identify an ingrown toenail infection so you can go about ingowing toenail management correctly.

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • Pain in toenail
  • Pain in toenail due to shoes
  • Pain in toenail in bed
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • Foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around affected nail, accompanies with redness
  • You may experience a build-up / ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Ingrowing Toenail Management

 Ingrown toenail infections 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.

Ingrown Toenail Remedies Amersham

 There are also a few other ways you can go about caring for your ingrown toenail infection. If you’re looking for ingrown toenail remedies in Amersham, you may try the following (but it’s better to visit a podiatrist):

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gasses that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

If your infection has more serious symptoms, or persists after taking the above measures, visit a podiatrist immediately.

Ingrown Toenail Cure near Me

The best way to permanently deal with and cure your ingrown toenail infection is by visiting a podiatrist near you. For the best podiatric treatment near you, visit Bucks Foot Clinic. We’ll be able to help you resolve your issue with ease.

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

Everything You Need To Know About Verrucas on Feet

By Blog

Verruca Infections are very common, and we see them in our patients almost on a daily basis. They’re a pretty simple issue to deal with, but they can often become painful and hard to manage if not properly cared for.

There are lots of questions surrounding verrucas on feet, one of the most common being “Do I have a verruca or a corn?”. We’re here to give you the answers you need. So, if you want to know more about verruca infections, read on!

What Is A Verruca?

Verrucas 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.

How Can You Tell If You Have A Verruca Infection?

Chances are you’ve had a Verruca before and just confused it for a corn or a wart. But there are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments. Verrucas are actually an infection caused by HPV and can be painful in comparison to normal warts or corns. They tend to form on the soles of your feet and may have tiny black dots in the centre, where blood has clotted in tiny vessels on the surface of your skin. They can be painful when you put weight on them, kind of like stepping on a needle. They also tend to look flat because of the constant pressure put on them. They even develop in clusters in some cases and can fuse together, forming “mosaic warts”. Which, again, sound super fancy, but definitely aren’t a piece you’d put up in an art exhibit. They’re actually kind of grotesque, but are totally normal.

To sum it up, you know it’s Verrucas on your feet when:

  • There’s a black dot in the centre (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)

How Do Verrucas on Feet Form?

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.

Do I Have A Verruca or A Corn?

Most people tend to confuse Verrucas for Corns. It’s a very common problem seen by Podiatrists everywhere. 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.
Since you already know how you can tell if it’s a verruca on your feet, we won’t get into too much detail. In fact, we have an article specifically for this question alone. So, if you want to know if you’re dealing with a verruca or a corn, read this article of ours. It’ll give you better insight into properly identifying the differences between the two so you can tell if you’re dealing with a verruca or a corn with ease.

Conclusion

Now that you know everything you need to know about verruca infections, it’ll be easier for you to identify them and get the proper treatment required. In case you’re dealing with verrucas on your feet, or any other issue related to your feet, visit a podiatrist immediately.

Bucks Foot Clinic is here to help you! Book an appointment with us for quick and painless relief.

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

SWIFT Machine Treatment Can Help You Greatly!

By Blog

There are lots of issues you can face with your feet, but among the most annoying and unattractive ones is Verrucae. Luckily for you, there is now a permanent solution to this problem that prevents it from recurring ever again. SWIFT Machine Treatment is the best way to permanently treat your Verrucae, so you never have to worry about them coming back again.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about SWIFT Treatment in Beaconsfield and Little Chalfont.

What Are Verrucae?

Before we tell you everything you need to know about SWIFT Machine Treatment, we’ll explain what Verrucae are.

Verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight, or can be persistent for years on end. They are highly contagious and so they spread from person to person in a seemingly never ending cycle. They are spread through both direct and indirect skin contact, so they really are a virus to look out for!

What Is SWIFT Treatment in Little Chalfont?

 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!

Is SWIFT Machine Treatment Painful?

 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 It Works

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.

Can I Get Swift Machine Treatment in Beaconsfield?

If you’re wondering whether you can get SWIFT Machine Treatment, here’s your answer. 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 know about SWIFT Machine Treatment and how it can help you permanently fix your problem, you may be wondering where you can undergo this process.

Bucks Foot Clinic offers the best SWIFT Treatment in Little Chalfont and Beaconsfield. Contact us and book an appointment today!

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

A Foot Specialist Can Help With Your Nail Infection

By Blog

If you’ve been googling “foot specialist near me”, that’s a big teller that you are in need of foot care. Perhaps you’re dealing with a nasty nail infection that you’re not quite sure how to get rid of.

Whatever the case may be, a podiatrist can help you with your foot care issues with ease. Podiatrists are also called foot specialists, and they specialize in your feet, so they know everything there is to know when dealing with nail infections and other foot care-related issues.

If you want to know more about how a foot specialist can help you, you’re in luck! This article will tell you more about what foot specialists do and will teach you how to deal with nail infections as well.

Read on to learn more.

What Is A Foot Specialist?

 

“Foot Specialist” is an easy term for Podiatrists / Chiropodists. In simple words, they handle all things foot-care-related.

A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.

Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, they don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.

We can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

How A Foot Specialist Near Me Can Help

There are many ways in which a foot specialist can help you. They can give you advice and treatment to deal with discolored toenails, nail infections, painful feet, cracks or cuts in your skin, growths like verrucas and warts, and more foot care-related issues.

Foot specialists / Podiatrists can give you orthotics as well and can prescribe any medications you may need.

You don’t necessarily have to have a big issue to see a Podiatrist, as it’s recommended to visit one at least for a single session of consultation. Especially in the case of hard skin on your feet, or ingrown toenails.

Apart from this, Podiatrists can give you much-needed knowledge on foot care, like what kind of footwear to wear, and how to maintain foot hygiene.

They can also help with bigger issues and are very needed especially for diabetic patients. They can treat issues and prevent them from recurring or becoming worse, and can also treat sports and exercise-related injuries.

Podiatrist vs. Chiropodist: What’s The Difference?

You may hear people use the term “Chiropodist” instead of “Podiatrist”. In truth, there is no difference between the two. They are interchangeable terms and both refer to foot specialists. The only real difference is that the term “Podiatrist” is relatively new compared to “Chiropodist”.

Dealing With A Nail Infection

If the source of your foot care troubles is a nail infection, a foot specialist / Podiatrist can help you easily. There are a few home remedies for infected nails, but we advise you to see a podiatrist. These home remedies give instant relief, but aren’t a permanent solution.
A few common home remedies are as follows:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gasses that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about foot specialists and how they can help with foot care, you probably want to know where you can find the right person for the job. You can stop googling “foot specialist near me” because you’re in the right place already.

Bucks Foot Clinic has professionals who have lots of experience and knowledge in the field. If you have any foot care-related issues or nail infections, we can handle them with ease. So, contact us and book an appointment!

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

Curious About The Verrucas On Your Feet? Read This Article!

By Blog

Verrucas on feet are very common. Though they are so common, there are lots of questions surrounding verrucas. Some people even ask, “is a verruca a sore?”. As professional podiatrists, we want to educate you as much as we can.

So, if you’d like to learn more about verrucas on feet, if a verruca is a sore, and how we go about verruca treatment, read on!

What Are Verrucas?

 

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight, or can be persistent for years on end.

What Causes Verrucas on Feet?

Now that you know more about the Verruca infection, it’d do you good to understand where it comes from so you can prevent it from happening to you. Especially if you have children or young adults at home since they’re the most prone and the virus is extremely contagious.

Verrucas are caused by HPV. Verruca infections can spread from person to person via direct skin contact or even just contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. You’re also more likely to get infected if your skin is damaged or wet, so swimming pools and communal showers tend to be a breeding ground for verruca infections. Apart from infecting (or being infected by) others, you can even further infect yourself by touching unaffected areas of your body. The viral particles tend to spread when you scratch a verruca. As with most viruses, your chances of developing verruca infections runs high if you have a weak immune system.

Is A Verruca A Sore?

A very common question people ask is “Is a verruca a sore?”. In fact, verrucas often get confused for many things, like corns and other types of warts.

Verrucae aren’t really sores, but they can cause a feeling of soreness on your feet due to their uncomfortable positioning. In reality, verrucae are a type of wart that are formed by the HPV virus and they tend to be very contagious.

Verrucas also are’t corns. To learn more about how you can differentiate between the two, read this article!

Verruca Treatment

Now that you know a lot more about verrucas on feet and what causes them, you’d probably want to know how to go about verruca treatment.

There are many ways you can go about treating verrucas on your feet. Though they normally go away with time, if you find yourself plagued with verrucas on your feet and they’re either painful or just an eyesore, here’s a few treatments:

  1. Home Remedies:

  • A great home remedy is taking a piece of banana skin and cutting it to be the same size as the verruca on your feet. Then, go ahead and place the piece of banana skin on the verruca and secure it with a plaster. Do this for about two weeks, every night before bed.
  • Garlic is an all-round cure-all and is generally just really good for your health. You can use garlic to treat your verruca as well. Take a piece of garlic and put it over your verruca infection and secure it with a plaster. If you do this daily for a month, your verruca should go away.
  • A study was done in which it was proven that duct tape surprisingly helps get rid of verrucas. Take a piece of duct tape and cover your verruca with it, and it should go away in a few weeks.
  1. Medication:

  • There are many creams, medicated plasters, and gels that you can use to aid the treatment of your verruca. Most of these are readily available as over the counter products, so you can get them at your local pharmacy.
  • Salicylic acid is the key ingredient in all of these products and this is what actually treats your verruca. It helps soften the verruca significantly.
  • Never use salicylic acid products on your face because that can lead to some really bad scarring. Also, if you have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, consult your doctor before using these products.
  1. Cryotherapy:

    Cryotherapy is a very effective way to remove your verruca. It is the process in which your verruca is frozen with liquid nitrogen, which makes it fall off. If you’re interested in cryotherapy, please visit a podiatrist and never try to do this on your own. It can lead to scarring and is typically also mildly painful, so it’s not a great option for children and people who are sensitive to pain.

  1. Check-In With Your Podiatrist:

    The best way to treat anything related to your feet is by visiting a podiatrist. They are experts at all things foot-related and will be able to treat your verruca with ease and painlessly. When you visit a podiatrist, they will most likely use SWIFT Machine Treatment to get rid of your verruca. SWIFT is a very quick and efficient way to treat verrucas, it’s in the name itself! SWIFT uses microwave energy for verruca removal. To learn more about what you can expect from SWIFT treatment, read our article on this topic!

Conclusion

If you think you’re dealing with verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate to seek help. Instead of suffering the soreness and the possibility of recurrence, visit a Podiatrist to help you deal with it permanently.

At Bucks Foot Clinic, we offer the best podiatric services. Contact us to book an appointment!

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

What Is Nail Surgery, Who Does Nail Surgery, And More Answers!

By Blog

Got a fungal nail infection / ingrown toenail infection that you just can’t seem to get rid of? Then nail surgery may just be right for you. The pain can be annoyingly unbearable, so why make it a recurring feeling when you can just get rid of it entirely? Nail surgery is the perfect fix to all your infection problems.

 There are lots of questions surrounding nail surgery, however, and we’re here to clear them up for you. So, if you want to know more about what nail surgery is, who does nail surgery, how effective it is, and more, read on!

What Is Nail Surgery?

Lots of people ask the question, “What is nail surgery?”. Nail surgery is considered a minor procedure. It is usually conducted under local anesthetic, to help alleviate pain and infection in toenails.

During nail surgery, a podiatrist might remove one or two sections from your nail, on each side. In some forms of nail surgery, your podiatrist may have to remove your whole nail, depending on the extent of infection / injury.
Once the nail surgery is over, the podiatrist will use a form of treatment to prevent the affected nail from growing again.

Who Does Nail Surgery?

Now that you know what nail surgery is, you’re probably wondering who does nail surgery.

Nail surgery is done by certified professional Podiatrists. Never get nail surgery from anyone who is not professionally equipped to handle it.

What Happens During Nail Surgery?

Nail surgery is a simple procedure which can be done in your podiatrist’s office. Before starting, your podiatrist will numb the area around your affected nail. The feeling is very similar to having your gums numbed at the dentist. Although you won’t be knocked out for the surgery, you don’t have to worry about pain at all.

Once the area is nice and numb, your podiatrist will use tools specially designed for the job and remove the entire nail / the infected bit of nail.

If your case is leaning more on the severe side, they may have to destroy your affected nail’s matrix, to prevent the nail from re-growing in the future.

Post nail surgery, your podiatrist will apply an antibiotic cream and a bandage around the affected nail bed, which is the part of your toe under where the nail used to be. This cream will prevent bacterial infections from occurring.

The surgery is super simple and takes less than an hour normally.

Getting Ready For Nail Surgery

Before going in for surgery, your professional will most likely take a physical exam and discuss your medical history with you, like any other illnesses / surgeries you’ve undergone. They’ll also ask if you have:

  • Latex / tape allergies
  • Drug allergies
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Medicines taken on a regular basis, even OTC pain relievers and supplements

Generally, on the day of the nail surgery, you can go on as usual. You can eat, shower, and take your daily medicines, unless your doctor specifically states otherwise.

Aftercare

After you’ve gone through nail surgery and the toe has been dressed, you have to keep the dressing dry and on for 2-3 days. After which, you’ll need to redress your toe.

Your podiatrist will give you written instructions on how to redress your toe properly. You’ll have to follow their instructions well. The average healing period after nail surgery is around 3-6 weeks. After your nail surgery, you can return to work in 24 hours. You can only go on with sporting activities once the toe is fully healed.

How Effective Is It?

Nail surgery generally is a permanent solution to your problem. Regrowth can occur occasionally, but this is in much less than 5% cases out of thousands.

Are There Alternatives to Nail Surgery?

There are a few common routine treatments that act as alternatives to nail surgery. They aren’t permanent solutions, however, and only help for immediate and short-term relief. A common treatment used is cutting the nail back, but the nail often regrows with the same issue.

Every patient is different and has a different pain-tolerance. This is why we aim to alleviate their pain as fast as possible, according to the treatment that suits them best. Though, when a patient comes in with a chronic infected nail, nail surgery is the only safe and viable option.

Conclusion

If you’re suffering from fungal nail infection or recurring ingrown toenails, and are looking for a permanent solution, nail surgery may just be your best bet! Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for a consultation to see if nail surgery is the right option for you, and we’ll give you the best podiatric treatment in town!

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

Got A Pain In Your Toenail? Here Are Possible Reasons Why!

By Blog

Have you been experiencing pain in toenail recently? It’s a very common issue we see in people of all ages. There are lots of things that could trigger a pain in toenail, such as feeling pain in toenail due to shoes, or experiencing pain in toenail in bed. In most cases, when you face pain in toenail in bed it’s because you’re ready to rest and your mind is finally free to notice the pain that’s been in the background all day. Pain in the toenail due to shoes can occur from wearing ill-fitting shoes that are too tight on your toes.

Whatever the underlying reason is, pain in the toenail can be a symptom of issues such as Ingrown Toenail and Fungal Infections. Other causes are Paronychia and Bunions.

In more severe cases, pain in the toenail can occur due to Arthritis. If you have Diabetes and notice something is off with your toes, see a podiatrist immediately because you could face severe consequences later.

Common Causes of Pain in Toenail

Let’s take a more in-depth view of the common causes of pain in toenail:

  1. Toenail Trauma

    Toenail trauma can occur due to dropping heavy objects on your foot, stubbing your toe, falling, and wearing shoes that are too tight. The latter could lead to pain in the toenail due to shoes. Another cause for toenail trauma is exercises that are repetitive, such as running.
    When you face toenail trauma, your bruising should subside on its own. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes to help ease pain in your toenail due to shoes while you heal.
    If your toenail pain is severe, visit a podiatrist immediately. They’ll be able to drain the blood from under your nail to ease the pain. Never try this at home as you could mess up severely and it could lead to infection.
    In some cases of toenail trauma, your toenail could even fall off. If this happens, don’t worry, the nail will regrow in 6 months or so. In case this happens, keep your affected toe clean and dry. Make sure to wear protective shoes to mind the sensitive area that is normally covered by the nail.
    You can take OTC pain relievers to deal with pain at home. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen will work fine. Try to keep your foot elevated to lessen the swelling in your feet and toes.

If you notice discoloration that isn’t going away or a darkened area that’s “growing” underneath your nail, make sure to see a professional rule out skin cancer or a tumor.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail
  • Pain in toenail in bed
  • Pain in toenail due to shoes
  • Redd-ish black bruising under the nail
  • Pressure under the nail
  • Noticeable separation of the nail and skin
  1. Ingrown Toenails

    Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe, since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.
    This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.
    If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.
    Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Symptoms:

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • Pain in toenail
  • Pain in toenail due to shoes
  • Pain in toenail in bed
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • Foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around affected nail, accompanies with redness
  • You may experience a build-up / ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue
  1. Fungal Infections

    Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail / the cuts on your skin. It can change the color of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

  • A change in color of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
  • Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
  • Chalkiness/cloudiness in spots on your toenail
  • Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
  • Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail
  • Pain in toenail due to shoes
  • Pain in toenail in bed
  • Redness
  • Nil splitting
  • Discolouration / thickening of nail
  • Itchy / painful toes / feet
  • Skin peeling between toes
  1. Paronychia

    A paronychia is an infection that forms on the skin around your nails. Though it occurs on fingernails more often, it is also seen to occur on toenails.
    Toenail trauma and ingrown toenails can heighten your risk of infections, which could lead to a paronychia. These issues make it simple for bacteria to cause infection by entering your body.
    If faced with a paronychia, soak your feet in warm water frequently to help deal with the swelling and pain. If your symptoms worsen despite 3-4 days of at-home treatment, if you notice pus or infection symptoms, or if you suffer from diabetes or other immune system issues, see a professional immediately. They’ll be able to drain the infection.
    In case of paronychia, watch out for signs of cellulitis. This infection is potentially very serious and can spread to other tissues. Watch out for pain, warmth in the affected area, and redness. There are symptoms of cellulitis and you should see a podiatrist immediately to start antibiotics.

If you suffer from severe cellulitis, you may notice red streaks on your leg, nausea, fever, and vomiting. In case this occurs, go to the ER immediately!

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail
  • Warmth/redness radiating outwards from the nail
  • Swelling
  • Pus
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Nausea

Conclusion

You now know the main reasons behind pain in your toenail. If you think you’re suffering from pain in your toenail in bed or pain in your toenail due to shoes, see a Podiatrist soon.

You can book an appointment at Bucks Foot Clinic for the best treatment in town!

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

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like, Discoloured Toenail, and More!

By Blog

Discoloured toenails are a surprisingly common issue seen in people of all ages, through different stages in their lives. Discoloured toenail can affect just about anyone, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s always important to address why you may have a discoloured toenail, as it could be an underlying symptom of toenail fungus and other infections.

A very common reason people get discoloured toenails is due to ill-fitting shoes that can cause ingrown toenails, which can in turn get infected and lead to worse conditions like toenail fungus.

This is why it’s always important to identify and treat discoloured toenails. Always visit a podiatrist when it comes to issues related to your feet, because we know best!

 

If you’d like to learn more about what toenail fungus looks like, how to treat fungal toenail, and more, read on!

What Is Toenail Fungus?

If you’re showing signs of discolored toenails and other unpleasant symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”. The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails, since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitised properly.

 What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

 Left untreated, simple conditions like ingrown toenails can lead to toenail fungus. It’s important to know what toenail fungus looks like, so you can treat it in time. If you ever find yourself asking, “what does toenail fungus look like?” this section will help you gain a better understanding.

Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail or the cuts on your skin. It can change the color of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

  • A change in color of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
  • Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
  • Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
  • Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
  • Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

If you find yourself noticing any of the above symptoms, you may just be dealing with toenail fungus and you should seek treatment with a podiatrist accordingly.

How to Treat Fungal Toenail

 There are quite a few at-home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail. Most of these treatments are highly effective, though it is always best to seek professional help. This way, you can prevent further irritating and aggravating your fungal infection and discoloured toenail.

Since there are a plethora of available at-home treatments, not all of them may be best suited to you. In fact, the effectiveness of treatment truly depends on your symptoms and situation. Seeing a professional podiatrist will ensure a proper diagnosis which will lead to better treatment. In general, podiatrists will prescribe you with oral antifungal medications. These medicines are very effective and show the most potential in toenail fungus treatment. Apart from oral medicines, you may even be prescribed a topical antifungal cream. Pairing these two is usually your best bet for swift treatment.

Apart from this, here are a few common at-home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.

Who Is Most Likely To Suffer From Fungal Toenail / Discoloured Toenail?

 Just like all infections and diseases, certain people tend to be more at risk when it comes to contracting fungal nail infections. You’re at higher risk of contracting fungal nail infections if you:

  • Have diabetes
  • Are over 65 years of age
  • Wear artificial nails / regularly get pedicures
  • Have a disease that causes poor circulation
  • Have a nail injury
  • Swim in public swimming pools often
  • Have a skin injury around your nail
  • Wear close-toed shoes often
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Leave your toes moist for extended periods of time

 

If you check yes under any of the above, don’t ignore your discoloured toenail and see a podiatrist for treatment!

Conclusion

Now that you know more about discoloured toenails and what they mean, you’ll be able to know how to treat fungal toenail better, especially since you now know what toenail fungus look like.

If you think you may be suffering from a fungal toenail infection, don’t hesitate to visit a podiatrist. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best Podiatric care in the UK!

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

What Is A Podiatrist And How Do They Treat Verrucas On Feet?

By Blog

As Podiatrists, we deal with lots of issues relating to the feet. Most commonly, we get cases of simple ingrown toenails turning into infections. We also very commonly see verrucas on feet, which many people confuse for other types of warts and corns. We’re well equipped to deal with all these problems, and more. We believe in educating our clients so they know how to practice proper foot hygiene. This way, the health of their feet stays good and they don’t have to suffer from common issues again.

That’s why we’ve put together this article to give you some information on verrucas on feet, what they look like, and how to go about verruca treatment. Read on to learn more.

What Is A Podiatrist

Before we jump into the world of Verrucas on feet, we’ll give you a little background on who we are and what we do. Lots of people still aren’t aware of what we do and still find themselves asking the question, “what is a Podiatrist?”. We’ll clear up that doubt before telling you more about verrucas on feet and verruca treatment!

A Podiatrist is a medical specialist that helps with problems related to your feet and lower legs. We can deal with complications from health issues like diabetes, and even treat minor and major injuries. People also call us Podiatric Physicians or Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, as well as Chiropodists.

Though a Podiatrist IS a doctor, they don’t go to traditional medical schools. There are separate schools and professional associations for Podiatrists. Doctors usually have an “MD” after their name, which stands for “Medical Doctor”. We have “DPM” at the end of our names. This stands for “Doctor of Podiatric Medicine”.

We can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, order lab tests or x-rays, and even rest broken bones. We’re completely licensed to do so, and we often work alongside other specialists that treat issues of the feet and lower legs.

A Very Commonly Seen Issue: Verrucas on Feet

 Now that you’ve cleared up the question, “what is a Podiatrist?”, we can move on to a common issue we see everyday – Verrucas on feet.

Verruca on feet or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight, or can be persistent for years on end. They are highly contagious and so they spread from person to person in a seemingly never ending cycle. They are spread through both direct and indirect skin contact, so they really are a virus to look out for!

Verruca Symptoms

 It’s very easy to confuse verrucas on feet for other types of warts and corns. That’s why it’s important to know the distinct symptoms of verrucae (yes, that’s the plural of verruca!). This way you can identify them and give them the correct form of verruca treatment.

There are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments:

  • There’s a black dot in the centre of the raised skin (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)

 Verruca Treatment

 There are different ways you can go about verruca treatment. The most common ones are Salicylic acid, Cryotherapy, and SWIFT verruca treatment. Your podiatrist will be able to tell you which verruca treatment is best for you.

Here’s some information on each verruca treatment:

  • Salicylic Acid: There are many creams, gels and medicated plasters for treating warts and verrucas. You can buy these over-the-counter, but only do so if you’re sure it’s a verruca infection. Most of these contain salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in treating verruca infections. Be careful when applying these medications, and try to use as little as possible in surrounding areas because it can cause irritation to healthy skin. You can even protect the skin around the verruca infection with non-fragranced and natural petroleum jelly. Try not to get any of the treatment on broken skin. You can soften the area before-hand by soaking it in water and rubbing it to remove excess hard skin. Once dried, make sure to cover the affected area with a plaster. Apply the treatment according to your Podiatrist / Pharmacist’s advice.
  • Cryotherapy: This is the process of freezing your wart or verruca using liquid nitrogen so it falls off. Most pharmacists have OTC cryotherapy preparations that contain other gases, but these don’t normally work too well because they can’t freeze at temperatures as low as liquid nitrogen, which is why it’s better if you visit a Podiatrist to get this done (book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today!). During cryotherapy, your doctor will apply the liquid nitrogen to your verruca using either a spray or a cotton bud. It usually takes between 5-30 seconds to freeze depending on the size and location and also the method used. You may have to repeat the treatment multiple times till the verruca or wart eventually falls off. Cryotherapy, however, hasn’t been shown to work any better than salicylic acid and can often lead to blisters and scarring that can be painful, which is why it’s not recommended for younger children.
  • SWIFT Verruca 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!

If you want to efficiently and permanently remove your verruca, we suggest SWIFT treatment. Most Podiatrists would opt for this treatment as it is a very efficient and good solution to the problem of verrucas on feet.

Conclusion

It’s always best to see a Podiatrist when facing any issues related to the feet. Especially if you have a condition like diabetes or other circulation-related illnesses. Ignoring a simple issue on your foot can lead to something much bigger and way worse in the long run. In some cases, a simple infection could lead to amputation (especially in the case of daibetic patients).

If you think you may have an issue like ingrown toenail infection or verrucas on your feet, don’t hesitate and wait till it’s too late. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best treatment you can get!

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

Everything You Need To Know About Ingrown Toenail Infections

By Blog

One of the most common issues we treat here at Bucks Foot Clinic is ingrown toenail infections. It can be very difficult to carry on with ingrown toenail management on your own if you don’t know what to do, and this can turn into an infection. It can even lead to toenail fungus if not taken care of well.

We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about ingrown toenail infections. In this article, we’ll highlight the following:

Read on to learn more!

What Is An Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Before we move on to treatment and management, it would help to make it clear on exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe, since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

When left untreated, a simple ingrown toenail infection can lead to toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail / the cuts on your skin. It can change the colour of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Here’s your answer:

  • A change in colour of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
  • Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
  • Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
  • Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
  • Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. That’s why it’s important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

How to Treat Fungal Toenail  

There are lots of different at-home treatments for toenail fungus. Which one is most effective to you depends on your situation and symptoms. Our podiatrists will be able to properly diagnose and treat your fungal toenail efficiently. In general, oral antifungal medicines are very effective and have great potential. You may even pair these pills with topical antifungal cream / medicine for best results.

Apart from that, there are a few home remedies:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.

We recommend seeing a podiatrist, however, because at-home treatments can go south very quickly if not performed correctly.

Ingrown Toenail Management

Another very important thing to take care of is ingrown toenail management. When you have an ingrown toenail, and you practice ingrown toenail management, you are generally safe from fungus and infection. Good foot care and hygiene is very important. Here’s how you can go about ingrown toenail management:

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put antibiotic / antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce the swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the underpart of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the main things to know about ingrown toenail infections, it’ll be easier for you to identify an issue before it gets out of hand. Book an appointment with Buck Foot Clinic if you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail infection. Our podiatrists will be able to help you!

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

How To Get Rid Of Nail Infection: Ingrown Toenail Symptoms & More

By Blog

Here at Bucks Foot Clinic, we get a lot of clients that complain about ingrown toenail infections. This issue is very common, and one of the leading reasons it occurs so often is simply because you wear shoes that don’t fit you right. It’s very important to keep track of your ingrown toenail so it doesn’t turn into an ingrown toenail infection.

You should always look out for ingrown toenail symptoms so you can care for it from the get-go. There are a few home remedies on how to get rid of nail infections as well.

Read this article to learn more!

What Is An Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Ingrown toenails occur when the corner tip / edge of your nail pierces into your skin and grows back into it. This condition has the potential to be very painful, and it can happen to pretty much anyone. Ingrown toenails are very common in big toes.

If left untreated, your simple ingrown toenail could turn into an ingrown toenail infection. This can be dangerous as the infection can sometimes spread to your foot’s underlying bone structure.

Keep in mind that if you suffer from diabetes, or other conditions that affect circulation, you’re at high risk for developing ingrown toenails. You can also have serious complications if it turns into an ingrown toenail infection. Check in with a podiatrist before it gets to that stage.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

The best way to avoid an ingrown toenail infection is by keeping a lookout for ingrown toenail symptoms. When you know the symptoms of ingrown toenail, you can nip it in the bud before it turns into a worse problem.

You may be dealing with an ingrown toenail if:

  • You have tenderness / pain in your toe on one or both sides of the nail
  • The area surrounding your toenail is red
  • Your toe swells up around the nail
  • You notice infection in the tissue around your nail

If you notice the above symptoms, visit a podiatrist and nip the issue at the bud before it turns into an ingrown toenail infection.

Ingrown Toenail Infection Symptoms

If you leave your ingrown toenail untreated, it could lead to an infection. This infection is potentially serious, and your symptoms can start off simple enough then escalate highly.

Keep a lookout for the following early symptoms:

  • Swelling
  • Pain on touching
  • Pressure under the nail
  • Hardening / Redness of skin around the nail
  • Bleeding
  • Throbbing
  • Foul smell
  • Oozing fluid / fluid buildup
  • Pus or an abscess in affected toe
  • Warmth emanating from the area around the nail

How to Get Rid Of Nail Infection

If you notice the first signs and symptoms listed above, don’t panic! There are a few home remedies you can use for minor infections. Here they are:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gasses that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

If your infection has more serious symptoms, or persists after taking the above measures, visit a podiatrist immediately.

Conclusion

Though the above home remedies help fight minor infections, they aren’t as effective as visiting a podiatrist. A podiatrist will be able to tackle the infection and help you prevent it from recurring. If you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail infection and want to know how to get rid of your nail infection, Book an Appointment with Us! We’ll be able to help you with all your podiatric needs.

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

Got Pain in Toenail? Here Are 4 Possible Reasons Why!

By Blog

Are you currently suffering from pain in your toenail? Toenail pain can manifest in many forms. You could experience pain in toenail when pressed, or pain in toenail in shoes. Either way, toenail pain is not fun.

There are lots of conditions and habits that could lead to pain in your toenail. You could experience pain from wearing tight shoes that don’t fit you right, or from cutting your nails shorter than necessary.

You could also be suffering from pain due to infections. If you have diabetes or another circulatory issue, you’re very likely to develop an infection that could lead to pain in your toenails.

Most times, toenail pain is easy to treat at home. But, you should always check in with a podiatrist because the pain may be related to something more serious.

There are 4 main reasons you could be experiencing pain in your toenails. Read on to learn more.

Causes for Pain in Toenail

  1. Toenail Trauma

Toenail trauma can occur when you drop something heavy on your foot, or if you fall, stub your toe, or even wear shoes that don’t fit you right. You could also experience toenail trauma from exercising.

You’ll experience minor bruising, but it’ll go away on its own. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes to allow your feet to heal and ease the pain.

If your pain is severe, however, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to drain the blood out from under the affected nail. Never do this at home, because it could lead to a severe infection.

In some instances of toenail trauma, your toenail may just fall off entirely. The nail will regrow within the next few months. In case this occurs, make sure you keep your toe dry and clean at all times. Wear shoes to protect the sensitive area that is normally covered by the nail. Avoid shoes that put pressure on your toes.

You can take over the counter pain relievers to deal with the pain. Make sure to keep your foot elevated, because this helps decrease the swelling in your feet and toes.

If you still suffer from pain and there’s discolouration, or if you notice a dark area of “growth” under the infected nail, see a doctor immediately to rule out tumours.

Symptoms:

  • Reddish-black bruise under your nail
  • Pressure under your nail
  • Pain in toenail
  • Visible and distinct separation from skin and nail
  1. Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenail happens when your skin that surrounds your nail grows over the tip. When you cut your toenails shorter than you need to, or if you wear shoes that are too tight, you make yourself susceptible to ingrown toenails. When untreated, an ingrown toenail can be very uncomfortable and can also lead to infections like paronychia.

If your ingrown toenail is not significantly bad and doesn’t show signs of infection (like drainage and warmth), it can be treated at home. Soak your feet in warm water multiple times a day, this will help you with the tenderness and redness.

To give yourself relief when you have an ingrown toenail, take over the counter medicines for the pain and make sure to wear shoes that fit you well, i.e. don’t pinch your toes. This will allow your nail to heal as well.

If at-home treatments don’t help you, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to trim or partially remove the affected nail. If you notice your simple ingrown nail is worsening, visit a podiatrist immediately. You’ll know it’s worse if you notice pus, an unpleasant smell, and discharge.

If you have a condition like diabetes, visit a doctor or podiatrist as soon as you notice an infected ingrown toenail. You’re at high risk of developing a severe infection.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail and skin surrounding it
  • Redness around nail
  • Fluid-filled bump on edge of your nail bed
  1. Paronychia

Paronychia is an infection that affects the skin around your nails. Though it usually affects your fingernails, it can also affect your toenails.

You are at an increased risk of developing a paronychia if you suffer from trauma to your toenail or have an untreated ingrown toenail. These issues make it very easy for bacteria to enter your system and give you an infection.

Often a simple foot soak can help ease pain and swelling. If even after frequent foot soaks your symptoms worsen, if you see pus or infection, or if you suffer from any immune system issues like diabetes, you would have to see your physician and get the infection drained.

With paronychia, you have to be on the lookout for any signs of cellulitis. These signs could include pain, redness, and warmth of the cellulite-laden skin. These symptoms could present a serious bacterial infection, communicable to the surrounding tissue. If these symptoms do occur, see your physician immediately and be prepared for antibiotics.

With increased severity of cellulitis, you might see red streaks on your legs, fever, and nausea. If this does happen, you should get immediate medical care.

Symptoms:

  • Pain in toenail
  • Warmth in skin and redness
  • Swollen toe
  • Pus
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  1. Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can affect your toenails or the skin on your feet and toes. When they affect your toenails, it’s called Onychomycosis. When it affects your skin, it could be athlete’s foot.

Onychomycosis can discolour and thicken your toenail. You may also experience pain, specifically when pressure is applied to your nail while wearing shoes.

You can usually treat this condition with medicated nail polish, which is available at most pharmacies near you. If you notice your symptoms get worse or do not go away, visit a podiatrist and they’ll be able to find the right antifungal medicine for you!

Symptoms:

  • Discolouration and thickening of nail
  • Pain in toenail
  • Nail splitting
  • Itchy or painful feet or toes
  • Skin peeling between your toes
  • Redness

Other Causes

If any of the above isn’t the culprits, you may be suffering from something else. You could be suffering from a condition in which pain in toenail is a symptom, but not the main symptom. You could be suffering from a chronic illness like arthritis, liver or lung disease, bursitis, or even psoriasis. This is why it’s important to visit a podiatrist to ensure you aren’t suffering from something worse.

When to See a Doctor

If you suffer from pain in toenail, pain in toenail when pressed, or pain in toenail in shoes, it’s important to monitor it. If you suffer from any of the below, call a podiatrist immediately:

  • You pain in toenail doesn’t get better after at-home treatment
  • The pain affects your everyday activities
  • You notice discharge or pus
  • There’s a foul odor
  • Red streaks on your foot
  • You have pain in toenail and you are diabetic

If you suffer from the above, contact a podiatrist immediately. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric treatment.

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

How To Get Rid of Nail Infection & What Is Nail Surgery?

By Blog

If you’ve landed on this article, you’re probably dealing with a nasty nail infection and want to know how to get rid of your nail infection. There are a few ways to go about it, but one of the best and quickest ways is to go in for nail surgery.

To know more about what nail surgery is, who does nail surgery, and how to get rid of a nail infection, read on!

What Is Nail Surgery?

Lots of people ask the question, “What is nail surgery?”. Nail surgery is considered a minor procedure. It is usually conducted under local anesthetic, to help alleviate pain and infection in toenails.

During nail surgery, a podiatrist might remove one or two sections from your nail, on each side. In some forms of nail surgery, your podiatrist may have to remove your whole nail, depending on the extent of infection / injury.

Once the nail surgery is over, the podiatrist will use a form of treatment to prevent the affected nail from growing again.

Who Does Nail Surgery?

 Now that you know what nail surgery is, you’re probably wondering who does nail surgery.

Nail surgery is done by certified professional Podiatrists. Never get nail surgery from anyone who is not professionally equipped to handle it.

Why Should You Go In For Nail Surgery?

If you have an ingrown, distorted, or fungal toenail, it could lead to lots of pain and can even get infected further. Most conservative and common treatments in clinics will help alleviate the symptoms for a while, but the issue tends to recur when the nail grows back.

Nail surgery offers a permanent solution to your nail issue, and prevents problems from recurring in the future.

What’s The Alternative to Nail Surgery?

There are a few common routine treatments that act as alternatives to nail surgery. They aren’t permanent solutions, however, and only help for immediate and short-term relief. A common treatment used is cutting the nail back, but the nail often regrows with the same issue.

Every patient is different and has a different pain-tolerance. This is why we aim to alleviate their pain as fast as possible, according to the treatment that suits them best. Though, when a patient comes in with a chronic infected nail, nail surgery is the only safe and viable option.

What Happens In Nail Surgery?

During nail surgery, your podiatrist will inject your affected toe with local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain. After the toe becomes numb, the infected nail or nails are removed. After which, Phenol (a chemical) is applied to the area to prevent the nail from regrowing.

Once this is done, your podiatrist will dress your toe heavily and the dressing will have to stay on for 2-3 days and be kept dry.

After Nail Surgery?

 After you’ve gone through nail surgery and the toe has been dressed, you have to keep the dressing dry and on for 2-3 days. After which, you’ll need to redress your toe.

Your podiatrist will give you written instructions on how to redress your toe properly. You’ll have to follow their instructions well. The average healing period after nail surgery is around 3-6 weeks. After your nail surgery, you can return to work in 24 hours. You can only go on with sporting activities once the toe is fully healed.

How Effective Is Nail Surgery?

Nail surgery is a permanent solution to your problem. Regrowth can occur occasionally, but this is in much less than 5% cases out of thousands.

How to Get Rid Of Nail Infection

 There are a few home remedies for infected nails, but we advise you to see a podiatrist. These home remedies give instant relief, but aren’t a permanent solution.

A few common home remedies are as follows:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

Lots of people ask the question, “What is nail surgery?”. Nail surgery is considered a minor procedure. It is usually conducted under local anesthetic, to help alleviate pain and infection in toenails.

During nail surgery, a podiatrist might remove one or two sections from your nail, on each side. In some forms of nail surgery, your podiatrist may have to remove your whole nail, depending on the extent of infection / injury.

Once the nail surgery is over, the podiatrist will use a form of treatment to prevent the affected nail from growing again.

Who Does Nail Surgery?

 Now that you know what nail surgery is, you’re probably wondering who does nail surgery.

Nail surgery is done by certified professional Podiatrists. Never get nail surgery from anyone who is not professionally equipped to handle it.

Why Should You Go In For Nail Surgery?
If you have an ingrown, distorted, or fungal toenail, it could lead to lots of pain and can even get infected further. Most conservative and common treatments in clinics will help alleviate the symptoms for a while, but the issue tends to recur when the nail grows back.

Nail surgery offers a permanent solution to your nail issue, and prevents problems from recurring in the future.

What’s The Alternative to Nail Surgery?

There are a few common routine treatments that act as alternatives to nail surgery. They aren’t permanent solutions, however, and only help for immediate and short-term relief. A common treatment used is cutting the nail back, but the nail often regrows with the same issue.

Every patient is different and has a different pain-tolerance. This is why we aim to alleviate their pain as fast as possible, according to the treatment that suits them best. Though, when a patient comes in with a chronic infected nail, nail surgery is the only safe and viable option.

What Happens In Nail Surgery?
During nail surgery, your podiatrist will inject your affected toe with local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain. After the toe becomes numb, the infected nail or nails are removed. After which, Phenol (a chemical) is applied to the area to prevent the nail from regrowing.

Once this is done, your podiatrist will dress your toe heavily and the dressing will have to stay on for 2-3 days and be kept dry.

After Nail Surgery?

 After you’ve gone through nail surgery and the toe has been dressed, you have to keep the dressing dry and on for 2-3 days. After which, you’ll need to redress your toe.

Your podiatrist will give you written instructions on how to redress your toe properly. You’ll have to follow their instructions well. The average healing period after nail surgery is around 3-6 weeks. After your nail surgery, you can return to work in 24 hours. You can only go on with sporting activities once the toe is fully healed.

How Effective Is Nail Surgery?
Nail surgery is a permanent solution to your problem. Regrowth can occur occasionally, but this is in much less than 5% cases out of thousands.

How to Get Rid Of Nail Infection

 There are a few home remedies for infected nails, but we advise you to see a podiatrist. These home remedies give instant relief, but aren’t a permanent solution.

A few common home remedies are as follows:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections, and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

Conclusion

Though you may be tempted to treat your infected toenail at home, it’s always best to see a podiatrist for a permanent and safe solution.

Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric care.

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

How To Treat A Corn, Is A Corn Serious, And More Answers!

By Blog

Corns, also called clauses, are thickening of the skin that usually occurs on the feet due to constant friction and pressure. They can be extremely painful and left untreated, can lead to even more serious conditions like infections and complications for people with diabetes.

Corns are a very common problem faced by people. They often form on the feet and can be very easily treated at home, or with the help of a podiatrist. Though they are very common, there are still lots of questions surrounding them. Some questions that we aim to answer with this article are:

We’ve broken up this article into the above sections to make it easier for you to navigate! So, read on to have your questions answered.

What Is A Corn?

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.

Conclusion

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

How To Treat Fungal Toenail: 10 Home Remedies

By Blog

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!

How To Treat Fungal Toenail: Home Remedies

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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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

Conclusion

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

What’s The Difference Between A Verruca And A Corn?

By Blog

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!

Verrucas Vs. Corns: The Key Differences

 

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. 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Making Sure you’re dealing With A Verruca Infection (Conclusion)

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

Is A Verruca A Sore? And Other Questions Answered

By Blog

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!

What Is A Verruca Infection?

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.

Do I Have A Verruca or a Corn?

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.

Is A Verruca A Sore?

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.

Conclusion

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

The Different Types of Podiatric Foot Surgery in Chesham

By Blog

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.

What Kind of Foot Surgeries Do Podiatrists Perform?

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!

Ingrown Toenail

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.

Hammertoe

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.

Bunion and Corn Removal

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.

Conclusion

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

Why You Should See A Podiatrist Regularly for Diabetic Care

By Blog

Why You Should See A Podiatrist Regularly for Diabetic Care

Diabetes comes with many other stemming problems. One of the most dangerous of them is foot problems. Did you know that every 20 seconds, a limb is lost to diabetes? That’s scary, isn’t it? When you have diabetes, you run the risk of foot problems and complications. These issues usually occur because of nerve damage or neuropathy in the feet and toes.

When you have neuropathy in your feet, you lose the ability to feel pain over time. This makes it difficult to know the true condition of your foot’s health. Small cuts and wounds are easy to overlook because of this and can turn pretty nasty when overlooked for long periods of time. Your small cut can very easily turn into a foot ulcer if left ignored.

This is where podiatrists come in! Podiatrists can help you take care of and protect your feet to prevent disastrous issues like the above. It’s very important to see a podiatrist regularly when you have diabetes. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so regular visits to a podiatrist can really prevent your feet from suffering in the long term because of diabetes. If you have diabetes, you’ll want to go in for diabetic care treatment in Little Chalfont or diabetic care in Amersham to cut big issues like the above at the root.

How Do Podiatrists Help People With Diabetes?

Podiatry is a very important yet often overlooked segment of diabetic care in Amersham. Podiatrists play an integral role in your diabetes health care team. They are trained specifically to assess nerve damage in your feet and help you come up with treatment and prevention plans. They also identify foot health risks specific to you!

Diabetes can truly affect your feet in so many ways, which is why it’s important to see a Podiatrist at least once a year to address these issues related to diabetes.

What Are The Common Foot Problems People With Diabetes Face?

As we said earlier, there are a number of risks diabetes brings to your feet’ health. If you have diabetes, you run the risk of experiencing a number of foot problems, including:

  • Nerve Damage: You may go through neuropathy (or simply put, nerve damage). This causes pain and often numbness in your feet. This can lead to more severe problems in the future, like the complete loss of feeling in your feet and toes. When this occurs, small cuts and injuries go unnoticed and often stem from much larger and more dangerous health issues.
  • Foot Ulcers: These are wounds that can develop on your feet and/or toes. Foot ulcers occur on your feet when the tissue on the affected part of your foot is broken down to make an open wound. They can grow much larger and very easily get infected. Treatment for foot ulcers is often very expensive and lengthy, which is why it’s best to prevent them. Foot ulcers can also lead to amputation if not treated properly and timely.
  • Charcot Foot: When you have neuropathy in your feet, it can also lead to the bones in your feet being weakened. Once these bones weaken, they can even fracture and result in foot deformities.
  • Amputations: In some cases, foot ulcers and open wounds reach a stage where they can’t be treated and repaired. When this is the case, you may require amputation.

These are a handful of issues you can face with your feet due to diabetes. In reality, there are many more complications you can experience resulting from diabetes. This is why it’s integral to seek diabetic care treatment in Little Chalfont or Amersham. A podiatrist will be able to determine risk factors specific to you, and tell you what to look out for and how you can prevent these issues from occurring.

What To Talk To Your Podiatrist About

If you have diabetes and are considering seeing a podiatrist, good move! You absolutely need to see a podiatrist on a regular to make sure your feet stay healthy. When visiting a podiatrist for your diabetes, make sure you are prepared with information on your medical history. Also try to jot down some questions you may have, including concerns about care. It’s always best to be completely comprehensive about your questions so you get all your doubts cleared. When visiting a podiatrist for diabetic care treatment in Amersham, you’ll want to discuss the following:

  • Neuropathy: If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of neuropathy or nerve damage, tell your podiatrist and they’ll give you a monofilament test or another very detailed test for nerve damage. This way, you’ll be able to understand whether you have nerve damage or not, how to prevent it or keep it from spreading, and all the other issues that come with nerve damage.
  • Foot Exams: Your podiatrist will give you a proper examination for your feet. They’ll even show you how you can go about doing this at home and what you’ll have to look out for.
  • Temperature Monitoring: Keeping your feet in optimal temperature is integral when you have diabetes. Temperature monitoring has been clinically proven to prevent foot ulcers and the risk of amputation significantly. Your podiatrist will show you how you can incorporate temperature monitoring in your everyday routine. They’ll even be able to suggest diabetic socks that are ideal for your specific needs.
  • Foot Care: Your podiatrist will also be able to tell you how to go about your foot care routine. They’ll teach you how you can protect your feet everyday and maintain proper foot health to prevent any future issues from developing.

Why You Should Seek Diabetic Care in Amersham

When you have diabetes and you don’t make regular visits to your podiatrist, it can lead to disastrous complications. It can often lead to conditions that are limb-threatening and require amputation. If you have diabetes, you need to take extra care of your feet and protect yourself from infection so you don’t have to suffer the consequences later.

Diabetes leads to a significant raise of blood sugar. These high levels of sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and cause peripheral neuropathy. This, combined with the characteristic poor circulation in diabetic patients can lead to slower healing and increase your chances of infection. When you have nerve damage, you lose sensation in your feet. You won’t be able to feel if your shoes are fitting your right, and this can lead to many other foot complications. This loss of feeling can also make you not realize if you have a blister or a small cut on your foot, which can often lead to bigger issues like foot ulcers. Left untreated, these seemingly small conditions can become way worse and affect your feet terribly.

It’s important to practice regular foot care if you have diabetes. You must wash your feet daily, and check for blisters and small cuts. You need to dry both your feet thoroughly and pay close attention to the spaces between your toes to prevent fungal infections.

If you suffer from diabetes and you notice you have sores on your feet, visit a podiatrist immediately! If left untreated, these sores can become infected and lead to gangrene or even the need for amputation.

Based on statistics, most amputations caused by diabetes could have been easily prevented with proper and regular foot care. This is why it’s absolutely integral to make regular visits to a podiatrist for diabetic care treatment in Little Chalfont.

Conclusion

Now that you know of the various foot care risks that come with diabetes, you probably want to visit the nearest podiatrist. If you’re looking for diabetic care in Amersham or diabetic care treatment in Little Chalfont, you can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic. We have trained professionals who’ll be able to help you with all things foot-related!

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

Ingrown Toenail Infection: Symptoms, Management, And More!

By Blog

Ingrown toenail infections are one of the most common issues people face when it comes to their feet. Many people suffer from this condition, but they rarely know what it is so they cannot treat it correctly and manage it before it gets too bad. It is important to know ingrown toenail symptoms and ingrown toenail management so the condition doesn’t get worse. It’s always better to treat something in its early stages so it doesn’t get infected worse or become a recurring problem. There are many causes of ingrown toenail infections, and the most common causes are improper foot care and wearing shoes that do not fit you right.

If you think you might be suffering from an ingrown toenail infection, read this article to learn how you can identify it and go about ingrown toenail management so it doesn’t get worse!

What Is An Ingrown Toenail Infection?

Before we get into its symptoms, it would help to make it clear exactly what an ingrown toenail infection is and how it’s caused.

Ingrown toenail infections occur when the corner tip or edge of your toenail pokes into the skin surrounding it, instead of freely growing outwards. The toe that’s most likely to suffer from this issue is your big toe since it’s usually the one that’s most in contact with your footwear.

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat it accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.

Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

Now that you know what an ingrown toenail is and why it’s important to know its symptoms early on, we can tell you what to look out for when self-diagnosing an ingrown toenail infection.

You may have an ingrown toenail infection if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Pain when you touch the area
  • You feel pressure under your affected toenail
  • Throbbing sensations in the area
  • Foul smell coming from the affected area
  • Warmth in and around the infected area (this is your body’s way of telling you that you have an infection, while also fighting off said infection)
  • Hardened skin around the affected nail, accompanies with redness
  • You may experience a build-up/ooze of fluid in the affected area
  • Your nail is thick, yellowing, or cracked. This is a key symptom of a fungal infection and must never be ignored
  • You may even develop an abscess that fills with pus, in the area where your nail has punctured your skin
  • The edges of your nail have an overgrowth of new and inflamed tissue

Just like any other medical issue, an ingrown toenail starts with minor symptoms that can later on become more serious if not tended to. You must always try to identify an issue when it’s in its a budding stage so you can take care of it before it gets too serious.

Ingrown Toenail Management

Once you’ve checked off “yes” on any of the above symptoms, your next step is to start ingrown toenail management at home to prevent the issue from getting worse. If your ingrown toenail looks infected and has a funky smell or is leaking fluid, skip the home remedies and see a podiatrist immediately! You can never be too safe when it comes to infections.

If your ingrown toenail looks like it’s just about budding and is still in its early phase, you can go ahead and try out any of the below-ingrown toenail management methods.

  • NEVER yank or pull on your nail! This can break the skin severely and lead to horrendous complications. You might be able to access your ingrown toenail by lifting your skin gently with a piece of floss. Just make sure to never force it open, and also ensure that your hands are sanitised and clean before you try to treat your ingrown toenail infection.
  • To drain the affected area of pus and to reduce your pain, you must fill a bucket with warm water and add Epsom salt or coarse salt to it. Then, gently soak your foot in this solution so your skin softens around your ingrown toenail.
  • After softening your skin and draining it of any pus, you can put an antibiotic/antifungal lotion or cream on the nail and the skin around and under it. Apply the cream directly.
  • If your pain is unbearable, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to help with it. Apart from this, you can also take OTC medications to reduce swelling and discomfort. If the pain truly is unbearable, though, we suggest seeing a podiatrist instead of jumping into OTC medications and trying to treat it on your own.

After you’ve tried all of the above, if your pain and infection persist after a few days, it’s advisable to visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to lift and access the underpart of your nail much easier, so your topical antibiotics can be applied swiftly and can take effect better.

Apart from ingrown toenail management, it’s important to know how you can prevent the infection altogether. Prevention is always better than cure, so follow these rules so you never have to suffer from an ingrown toenail infection:

  • Whenever you trim your toenails, make sure to trim straight across. The edges of your nail must never curve inwards.
  • Try not to cut your nails too short.
  • Always only wear shoes that fit you properly. Your shoes must never be too tight, and your toes must always have breathing room inside. The same applies to socks and tights.
  • If you work in conditions that are hazardous in nature, i.e. construction, try to wear steel-toed boots while working to prevent heavy objects falling on your toenails and hurting them.

If you suspect that your toenails may be abnormally thick or curved, visit a podiatrist for confirmation. Surgery may be necessary for prevention in this case.

When To See A Podiatrist

Now that you know about the early symptoms of an ingrown toenail infection and how you can go about ingrown toenail management at home, you shouldn’t really have much of a problem.

However, if your ingrown toenail persists, is recurring, or gets worse over time (say it starts pussing or gets very painful), you should visit a podiatrist and get professional treatment.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to combat the effects of ingrown toenail infections. It shouldn’t reach this stage if you treat it properly in its early stages and continue to practice prevention and proper foot hygiene.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a podiatrist to help with your ingrown toenail management, or just to treat any other general foot problems you may have, you can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic!

We have highly skilled professionals in the field that can help you with all your foot-related issues.

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

How To Get Rid Of A Nail Infection & Common Foot Care Practices

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How To Get Rid Of A Nail Infection & Common Foot Care Practices

Taking care of your feet is a very integral part of your health. Foot care is often overlooked and seen as something that isn’t too important, but it truly can make the world of a difference when it comes to your overall health. Your feet, though strong, often make direct contact with the ground and can therefore pick up a lot of infections and things like ringworm, which can affect your entire body’s health. This is why it’s important to practice foot care and hygiene, so you can prevent your body from being affected at its root. Read on to learn about common foot problems, how you can practice proper foot care, and where you can get ingrown toenails treatment in Amersham.

Common Foot Care-Related Issues

When you don’t take care of your feet and their hygiene, you are susceptible to a lot of diseases and viruses. Without proper foot care, you place yourself at risk when it comes to things like:

  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Nail Infections
  • Athlete’s Foot
  • Blisters
  • Verrucas
  • Corns
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Warts
  • Stone Bruises
  • Ringworm

The list truly goes on and on. Foot care is an important and integral part of maintaining your body’s overall health and it should not be overlooked.

How To Practice Proper Foot Care

I’m sure you wouldn’t cut back on brushing your teeth on a daily basis, right? You should also feel the same way when it comes to caring for your feet. Here are a few basic (and effective) ways you can improve your foot care regimen and maintain proper foot hygiene.

  • Clean your feet in warm water, but try not to soak them too much as this will tend to dry your feet out too much.
  • Check your feet for sores, swelling, cuts, and infected toenails DAILY.
  • Don’t wear shoes that don’t fit you right. Tight shoes can lead to a number of issues. Your shoes should never hurt to wear.
  • Try not to wear flip-flops because they don’t give you enough arch support.
  • Don’t wear the same shoes every day, and make sure to clean them regularly.
  • Trim your toenails regularly. Cut straight across, and then use a file to smooth the corners so your nail won’t grow into your skin.

Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized daily with creams, lotions, and petroleum jelly. Try to avoid anything with an excessive amount of chemicals. Avoid moisturizing between your toes, because you should keep the skin there dry to prevent any infections that breed in moisture.

How To Get Rid Of Nail Infections

Now that we’ve discussed proper foot care and hygiene, we can move on to one of the most frequently asked questions, “How to get rid of nail infections”. If you find yourself suffering from a nail infection, there are a few topical at-home remedies you can resort to. It’s always best to see a podiatrist, however, because when you don’t treat a nail infection, things can go south. Topical home remedies can give you instant relief and help treat your nail infection, but will often not fully cure it.

At-Home Remedies On How To Get Rid Of A Nail Infection:

  • Snakeroot Extract: Sometimes the best solutions are found in nature. The extract of this antifungal plant can be used to treat fungal nail infections and has proved to be as effective as ciclopirox, a drug-store anti-fungal treatment.
  • Ozone Oils: Oils like sunflower oil and olive oil are oils that contain the same gases that exist in the ozone layer. Many studies have been conducted that have concluded that these “ozonized” oils are effective when it comes to treating nail fungus and may just be the best home remedy on how to get rid of a nail infection. In fact, a study took place in which sunflower oil had higher clinical effects than a common antifungal medication called ketoconazole.
  • Oregano Oil: Another proof of the effectiveness of nature is oregano oil. It contains “thymol”, a naturally occurring phenol that is said to have antifungal properties. In treatments, this oil is also combined with tea tree oil, but this increases the risk of negative side effects, irritation, and allergic reaction.
  • VapoRub: Though commonly used to treat colds and coughs, vicks vaporub has proved itself beneficial in treating fungal nail infections, in a study done in 2011.

These are a few of the most popular at-home remedies. If your nail infection persists, it is advisable to see a foot specialist to avoid any further damage and spread. Please see a podiatrist if the symptoms of your nail infection get worse or do not leave.

Ingrown Toenails Treatment in Amersham

Another very common problem related to foot care is ingrown toenails. Many people suffer from ingrown toenails, and when left ignored, the ingrowth can get worse and become increasingly painful. When you visit a specialist for ingrown toenail treatment, they’ll most likely tell you to try this first:

  • Soak the affected foot in warm water a few times a day for a few days; this softens your skin around the ingrown nail and prevents the nail from growing further into it.
  • Ensure that your foot is dry the rest of the day.
  • Make sure to only wear shoes that are wide and comfortable.
  • Take over-the-counter painkillers to help deal with the pain (if needed).

If you do all of the above, but still find yourself suffering from a bad ingrown toenail, you’ll want to seek ingrown toenail treatment near you. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic, we have some of the best available ingrown toenail treatment in Amersham.

Conclusion

You’ve now learnt about how you can practice proper foot care and hygiene, how to get rid of a nail infection, and where you can seek ingrown toenail treatment in Amersham. If you find yourself suffering from these problems frequently, and the symptoms do not go away and just seem to get worse, it’s advisable that you see a podiatrist. Our trained professionals at Bucks Foot Clinic are well adept at handling all foot care issues, and will be happy to help you!

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

What To Expect For Your Verruca Infection

By Blog

One of the most common and contagious problems people face in regard to their feet is the development of Verrucas. Verrucas are not picky, and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. In fact, most people have gotten a verruca at least once before. Verrucas are very easily confused with warts, but it’s to be noted that they are not warts itself, but are technically a type of wart. Both warts and Verruca infections are formed because of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Verrucas are also very commonly confused with corns, but you must know the differences so you can treat them accordingly.

This article will give you some insight into what exactly verrucas on feet are, why they form, how they can be treated, and how you can tell them apart from other common foot problems.

What Are Verrucas on Feet?

Verruca or verruca infections are a virus. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is highly contagious. Verrucas on feet are commonly spotted on the soles of the areas around one’s toes. These viruses thrive in moist environments and tend to cyclically be an outbreak in children at the park (like hand, foot, mouth disease). Verrucas tend to look kind of like cauliflowers, but then they flatten up because of pressure when they are on the soles of your feet.

 

Sometimes verrucas can be painless, but more often than not they are very uncomfortable and even painful to deal with. They can disappear overnight, or can be persistent for years on end.

What Causes Verruca Infections?

Verrucas are caused by infection on your skin by the HPV virus. They are highly contagious and so they spread from person to person in a seemingly never ending cycle. They are spread through both direct and indirect skin contact.

You’re very likely to get affected by a verruca on your foot if your skin is wet or damaged, which is why swimming pools and communal showers serve as breeding grounds for verruca infections. They’re so contagious that you can even infect yourself! If you touch your infection and then touch other parts of your body, the infection can spread and affect those areas too.

You’re also very likely to develop a verruca if your immune system isn’t running smoothly and you’re generally prone to illnesses. This may occur due to a medical condition or because you’re taking immunosuppressant medications.

There are some safety precautions that are integral when you or someone you know has been affected by a verruca infection. To prevent the further spread of verrucas, please follow these guidelines below:

  • Don’t be barefoot in communal showers, try to wear at least flip flops
  • Always cover your verruca with a plaster if you plan on going swimming
  • Never scratch at or pick on your verruca because this will help it spread
  • Never share towles, shoes, and socks
  • If you have verrucas on your fingers, don’t bite your nails and try not to touch things too much
  • If you choose to use a pumice stone on your verruca, do not let anyone else use the same one

Verruca Treatment: Steps To Take

There are many ways you can go about treating a verruca infection. Thought they normally go away with time, if you find yourself plagued with verrucas on your feet and they’re either painful or just an eyesore, here’s a few treatments:

  1. Home Remedies:
  • A great home remedy is taking a piece of banana skin and cutting it to be the same size as the verruca on your feet. Then, go ahead and place the piece of banana skin on the verruca and secure it with a plaster. Do this for about two weeks, every night before bed.
  • Garlic is an all-round cure-all and is generally just really good for your health. You can use garlic to treat your verruca as well. Take a piece of garlic and put it over your verruca infection and secure it with a plaster. If you do this daily for a month, your verruca should go away.
  • A study was done in which it was proven that duct tape surprisingly helps get rid of verrucas. Take a piece of duct tape and cover your verruca with it, and it should go away in a few weeks.
  1. Medication:
  • There are many creams, medicated plasters, and gels that you can use to aid the treatment of your verruca. Most of these are readily available as over the counter products, so you can get them at your local pharmacy.
  • Salicylic acid is the key ingredient in all of these products and this is what actually treats your verruca. It helps soften the verruca significantly.
  • Never use salicylic acid products on your face because that can lead to some really bad scarring. Also, if you have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, consult your doctor before using these products.
  1. Cryotherapy:Cryotherapy is a very effective way to remove your verruca. It is the process in which your verruca is frozen with liquid nitrogen, which makes it fall off. If you’re interested in cryotherapy, please visit a podiatrist and never try to do this on your own. It can lead to scarring and is typically also mildly painful, so it’s not a great option for children and people who are sensitive to pain.
  1. Check In With Your Podiatrist:The best way to treat anything related to your feet is by visiting a podiatrist. They are experts at all things foot-related and will be able to treat your verruca with ease and painlessly. When you visit a podiatrist, they will most likely use SWIFT Machine Treatment to get rid of your verruca. SWIFT is a very quick and efficient way to treat verrucas, it’s in the name itself! SWIFT uses microwave energy for verruca removal. To learn more about what you can expect from SWIFT treatment, read our article on this topic!

Verruca Or Corn: What’s the Difference?

A lot of people find themselves asking, “do I have a verruca or corn?”. It’s very easy to get confused between a verruca or corn, so it’s always good to know the main differences, so you can treat it accordingly.

  • Verrucas are viruses, while corns are cone shaped hard pieces of skin.
  • Verrucas are contagious, corns are not.
  • Verrucas often are shaped like a cauliflower and they tend to have a black spot in the center, while corns have a more uniform cone-like shape.
  • Verrucas can happen to anyone, while corns are more likely to show up in people with dryer skin.
  • Verrucas are not as raised and yellow as corns are.

These are just a few key observable differences that’ll help you identify if you have a verruca or a corn. If you want to learn more about these differences in depth, please read this article.

Conclusion

Now that you know what a verruca is and how you can tell if you have a verruca or corn, you may want to see a podiatrist for further treatment or to get rid of your verruca entirely. If you’re looking for verruca treatment in Beaconsfield, Bucks Foot Clinic is the best option for you! We have trained professionals who’ll be able to deal with your verruca infection with ease. Book an appointment with us for hassle-free consultation and verruca treatment in Beaconsfield!

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Fungal Nail Infection and When You Should See A Foot Specialist

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Fungal Nail Infection and When You Should See A Foot Specialist

There are a number of nail infections that can occur on your feet. This is probably why “foot specialist near me” is a very commonly searched thing on google. One of the most common nail infections is fungal nail infections. Though there are a plethora of nail infections that can affect you, this article’s main focus will be on Fungal Nail Infections and when you should visit a foot specialist. These infections are quite easy to avoid with proper foot care and hygiene, so let’s dive right in and understand everything we can about fungal nail infections so you can prevent them from occurring, or get the right care needed if you’ve been affected.

Why Do Fungal Nail Infections Develop?

The first step in understanding how to deal with a fungal nail infection is by understanding how it happens. This way you can prevent it from recurring, or if you haven’t been affected yet, prevent it from happening altogether.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”. The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails, since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitized properly.

What Does It Look Like?

A fungal nail infection can affect either part of the nail, the entire nail, or even more than one nail. If you show these signs, you may have a fungal nail infection:

  • Distorted nail that lifts off from the nail bed
  • Odor coming from the nail
  • Brittle or thickened nail

Are You At Risk For Fungal Nail Infections?

Like most infections and diseases, certain people are more at risk when it comes to contracting nail infections. You’re at higher risk of contracting fungal nail infections if you:

  • Have diabetes
  • Are over 65 years of age
  • Wear artificial nails / regularly get pedicures
  • Have a disease that causes poor circulation
  • Have a nail injury
  • Swim in public swimming pools often
  • Have a skin injury around your nail
  • Wear close-toed shoes often
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Leave your toes moist for extended periods of time

Nail infections have been known to occur more often in men than women, and are found in adults more than children. If you have family members that are prone to these nail infections, you also run a high risk of getting them yourself. Nail infections are more likely to increase with age as well, since older adults have poorer circulation so their nails grow slowly and thicken more.

4 Common Fungi That Can Creep Up On Your Nails

Here are the most common fungi known to cause nail infections:

  1. Distal Subungual Infection:
    The most common type of fungal nail infection which can develop on both fingernails and toenails. When infected by this king of fungus, the outer edge of the nail will look jagged with white and/or yellow streaks across the nail. This infection affects the nail bed and the underside of the nail.
  2. White Superficial Infection:
    This usually affects toenails. The fungus will attack the top layers of the nail and create very distinct white spots on the nail. These white patches insidiously begin to cover the entire nail, which then becomes rough, soft, and prone to crumbling. The spots on the nail can also become flaky.
  3. Proximal Subungual Infection:
    These are fairly uncommon, but can affect both toenails and fingernails. This nail infection is characterized by yellow spots that appear at the base of the nail as the infection begins to spread upwards. This usually occurs in people with low immunity and can also happen due to minor injury to the nail.
  4. Candida Infection:
    Candida yeasts cause this type of nail infection. It usually occurs in nails that have been injured before or have suffered from a prior infection. This type of fungal nail infection usually occurs on fingernails and happens to people who frequently soak their hand in water. It starts by the cuticle around the nail, which becomes swollen and red and tender to touch. The nail may even lift off the nail bed, or fall off entirely.

Treatment

It is not recommended to take over-the-counter medicines for nail infections since the results aren’t always reliable. You must visit a foot specialist to determine whether you have a nail infection, and if you do, they may prescribe oral antifungal medicines like:

  • Terbinafine
  • Itraconazole
  • Fluconazole
  • Griseofulvin

They may even prescribe other forms of anti-fungal treatments, like antifungal nail lacquer or topical treatments. You just have to brush these on your nails like you would nail polish. Depending on how bad the nail infection is, you may have to take these medicines for months, and topical “solutions” aren’t very ideal in curing nail infections.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure, so here’s a list of things to do / avoid to make sure you don’t have to heal with a nasty nail infection in the future.

  • Dry your feet well after showering, especially between your toes
  • Only get manicures and pedicures from safe and trusted salons
  • Try not to be barefoot in public places
  • Try to cut down on your usage of nail polish / artificial nails
  • Wash your hands well after touching infected nails

These are some simple steps to ensure you don’t suffer from a nail infection. Apart from this, there are some simple lifestyle changes that can help too. For example, taking care of your nails and keeping them trimmed and clean. This helps a lot when it comes to preventing infections. Try not to injure the skin around your nails by avoiding biting your nails and/or picking your cuticles. If you wash dishes a lot or do work that requires you to wet your hands / feet a lot, wear gloves / feet protection. All of these are very simple and can potentially lower your risk of getting a nail infection. This, paired with proper foot care and hygiene can really go a long way!

Final Thoughts

Now you know what to look for when looking for a nail infection, what kinds of fungi can affect your nails, and how to prevent nail infections from occurring. If you find yourself affected by any of the symptoms mentioned above, or simply feel like something’s wrong, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor or a foot specialist. For quick results, you can simply google search “foot specialist near me”, or better yet, if you want quality foot care and treatment, you can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic!

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

Verruca Or Corn?: Spot the Difference and Treat Your Verruca Infection with Care

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Verruca Or Corn?: Spot the Difference and Treat Your Verruca Infection with Care

One of the most common problems people face with their feet is the development of warts and Verrucas on their feet. They’re extremely common in most children and young adults, with people having developed at least one at some point in their life. Verrucas, though they may sound fancy, 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.

Identifying Verrucas on Feet

Chances are you’ve had a Verruca before and just confused it for a corn or a wart. But there are some key identifying factors when it comes to Verrucas which can help you single them out from all these other ailments. Verrucas are actually an infection caused by HPV and can be painful in comparison to normal warts or corns. They tend to form on the soles of your feet and may have tiny black dots in the centre, where blood has clotted in tiny vessels on the surface of your skin. They can be painful when you put weight on them, kind of like stepping on a needle. They also tend to look flat because of the constant pressure put on them. They even develop in clusters in some cases and can fuse together, forming “mosaic warts”. Which, again, sound super fancy, but definitely aren’t a piece you’d put up in an art exhibit. They’re actually kind of grotesque, but are totally normal.

To sum it up, you know it’s Verrucas on your feet when:

  • There’s a black dot in the centre (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)

Verruca or Corn?: SPOT the Difference:

Most people tend to confuse Verrucas for Corns. It’s a very common problem seen by Podiatrists everywhere. 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.

So, how can you tell if it’s a verruca or corn? Here’s a simple breakdown!

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 set verrucas aside from corns. 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.

What Causes Verrucas?

Now that you know more about the Verruca infection, it’d do you good to understand where it comes from so you can prevent it from happening to you. Especially if you have children or young adults at home since they’re the most prone and the virus is extremely contagious.

Verrucas are caused by HPV. Verruca infections can spread from person to person via direct skin contact or even just contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. You’re also more likely to get infected if your skin is damaged or wet, so swimming pools and communal showers tend to be a breeding ground for verruca infections. Apart from infecting (or being infected by) others, you can even further infect yourself by touching unaffected areas of your body. The viral particles tend to spread when you scratch a verruca. As with most viruses, your chances of developing verruca infections runs high if you have a weak immune system.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Verrucas:

If you’ve been affected by the verruca infection, you can help stop the spread by following these simple precautions:

DO:

  • Wash your hands after touching the affected area
  • Change your socks DAILY and maintain good foot hygiene
  • Cover the affected area with a plaster when swimming
  • Take care not to cut, open, or aggravate a verruca

DON’T:

  • Avoid sharing towels, flannels, socks or shoes
  • Try not to bite your nails or touch unaffected parts of your body after touching a verruca
  • Don’t walk around barefoot in public places

Refrain from scratching or picking at your verruca

Treatment and Removal:

Most verrucas tend to go away on their own as long as you don’t further aggravate them or touch them too much. Maintaining proper foot hygiene is often more than enough to make them go away. But sometimes, when they’re pesky and persistent and decide to build base camp on your feet, you have to treat or maybe even remove them (only in dire cases).

The most commonly used treatments for verruca infections are salicylic acid and cryotherapy (sounds like some sort of crazy sci-fi treatment, but it’s just simple freezing).

  • Salicylic Acid: There are many creams, gels and medicated plasters for treating warts and verrucas. You can buy these over-the-counter, but only do so if you’re sure it’s a verruca infection. Most of these contain salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in treating verruca infections. Be careful when applying these medications, and try to use as little as possible in surrounding areas because it can cause irritation to healthy skin. You can even protect the skin around the verruca infection with non-fragranced and natural petroleum jelly. Try not to get any of the treatment on broken skin. You can soften the area before-hand by soaking it in water and rubbing it to remove excess hard skin. Once dried, make sure to cover the affected area with a plaster. Apply the treatment according to your Podiatrist / Pharmacist’s advice.

Cryotherapy: This is the process of freezing your wart or verruca using liquid nitrogen so it falls off. Most pharmacists have OTC cryotherapy preparations that contain other gases, but these don’t normally work too well because they can’t freeze at temperatures as low as liquid nitrogen, which is why it’s better if you visit a Podiatrist to get this done (book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic today!). During cryotherapy, your doctor will apply the liquid nitrogen to your verruca using either a spray or a cotton bud. It usually takes between 5-30 seconds to freeze depending on the size and location and also the method used. You may have to repeat the treatment multiple times till the verruca or wart eventually falls off. Cryotherapy, however, hasn’t been shown to work any better than salicylic acid and can often lead to blisters and scarring that can be painful, which is why it’s not recommended for younger children.

When Should I See A Doctor? (Conclusion)

If your verruca persists and you’re concerned about it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If the verruca is recurring and keeps coming back, or if it’s very large and painful and bleeds and changes how it looks, you should definitely see a doctor, specifically a Podiatrist. You can book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic and get the best treatment for verrucas on feet, infections, and more!

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

The best way to relieve foot pain in Beaconsfield

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What is foot pain?

Foot pain generally refers to any discomfort or unpleasant feeling on or in the feet. According to foot specialists in Beaconsfield, foot pain can be caused by a wide range of issues.

Most commonly, foot pain is caused by improper foot function, and poorly fitted shoes can worsen the problem.

Best ways to relieve foot pain:

Foot doctors in Beaconsfield generally describe that foot problems generally affect heals, toes, joints of the foot, and other areas of the foot.

If you keep neglecting these symptoms, then in extreme cases, you may require foot surgery in Beaconsfield. Therefore you must seek consultation with a foot specialist who can help you with foot pain in Beaconsfield.

Foot massage:

Many foot specialists in Beaconsfield recommend foot massage to help with blood circulation and soreness. It helps to alleviate the pain and stimulates the muscles by pulling apart and bending the areas around. Moreover, foot massages also help you to recognise the problem as it provides the time for you to examine your feet. Applying oil or some cream can help you to moisturise your skin and make it easier to massage your foot. Some specialists also offer massages to relieve your foot pain in Beaconsfield to help soothe your foot pain and aches.

Painkillers for foot pain

Many foot doctors in Beaconsfield prescribe painkillers for your foot pain and inflammation. Painkillers like aspirin are the first-line choice for quick pain relief of foot pain. You may need to take the painkillers for several days. Medications like ibuprofen can help to minimise the pain and inflammation, while acetaminophen only helps to reduce the pain.

 It will be helpful to seek consultation from foot specialists in Beaconsfield to help you minimise the risks of side effects.

Give your feet a workout!

Keeping your feet flexible and functioning is a key way to minimise your foot pain. Your feet start to ache when they lack the range of motion and are not able to function as intended.

Avoid having a lifestyle that is too sedentary. Make sure that you do enough walk daily as recommended by many foot specialists in Beaconsfield as it is the best way to keep your feet healthy.

For the treatment of foot pain in Beaconsfield, many doctors recommend trying resistive exercises to make your feet stronger and prevent further soreness.

Blood circulation with foot bath:

To soothe foot pain and improve blood circulation, many foot doctors in Beaconsfield recommend having a warm foot bath.

Adding Epsom salt can help you ease the soreness of muscles and helps soothe your feet. Additionally, it also helps to reduce inflammation from various foot ailments.

When should you seek medical attention?

Consider seeking medical attention for your foot pain when the pain starts to effects your daily activities and routine.

Other symptoms may include change of sensation, swelling or pain affecting a huge area, loss of function, and change of skin colour around the foot.

Another reason that you should consult a foot specialist in Beaconsfield is if there is no improvement in your foot pain even after trying home remedies and the pain is restricting movement in your foot, causing your foot to not move correctly.

An experienced doctor can offer treatments for foot pain ranging from medication to foot surgery in Beaconsfield for major foot problems. Therefore, it is recommended not to wait and seek medical attention from a foot doctor in Beaconsfield, rather, to prevent further injury and your condition from getting worse.

For relieving foot pain relief in Beaconsfield, Bucksfoot Clinic provides advanced foot care services with experienced and reliable foot pain specialists. Bucksfoot Clinic provides many services ranging from foot pain diagnosis, hip, knee, ankle problems and treatment for foot pain to foot surgery in Beaconsfield.

Book your appointment today with Bucks Foot Clinic to get the best treatment for your foot pain in Beaconsfield, Little Chalfont, Chesham, Amersham and the surrounding areas of Buckinghamshire.

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

Tips for choosing the right Chiropody treatments in Chesham

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It is normal to suffer from foot pain problems if you walk a lot or spend most of your day on your feet. Wearing the wrong type of shoe, incorrect shoe size or not taking care of feet can lead to foot pain.
If you keep neglecting your pain, your foot problem might get worse and you may require foot surgery in extreme cases. If you are suffering from any type of foot problems and are looking for the best foot doctor in Chesham, continue reading.
If you are planning to visit a foot doctor in Chesham or a foot specialist in Chesham for your chiropody treatment; here are some tips that can help you choose the right doctor:

Find a Chiropodist who offers services you want

Before visiting any foot specialist in Chesham or booking an appointment, make sure that the doctor offers the services that you need. Some foot doctors do not offer foot surgery, or some only provide diagnosis and massage etc. Depending on your condition, you need to visit a specialist who offers treatment for your problem. If you are unsure about your exact condition, a preliminary consultation will help diagnose the issue and the doctor can then prescribe the best course of treatment or refer you to a specialist.

Read reviews

It is very easy to find out reviews about foot specialists by just googling their name or the clinic’s name. If you have a company in mind who you want to visit, search for their reviews. See how other patients were treated and how was their experience. You can even discuss with your friends or family who can suggest someone they have had a personal experience with, saving you both time and money.

Consider your insurance

If you have insurance that covers such treatments, you should consider clinics that accept insurance. Using your insurance will help save you money. Additionally, you can easily get a full checkup to make sure everything is okay. Should you need foot surgery in Chesham, your insurance can cover the cost, making the process easier for you.

Look for certified experts

Some foot conditions need to be checked by specialists who are experts in different areas. This is why you should opt for a chiropody treatment that has a wide variety of experts. In this way, you can get treatment for common problems like ingrown nails or calluses as well as serious problems like surgery.

Consider the fee

Undoubtedly, private healthcare can be expensive; this is why it is important to consider the fee foot doctors will charge for chiropody treatments in Chesham. There is no point in visiting a foot doctor who charges the lowest price but provides a treatment that has no positive outcomes. Visiting a cheap Chriropodist could be a waste of time, money and the bad experience will prevent you from visiting a professional foot doctor in Chesham.
However, high fees also do not equate to high-quality service, which is why it is important to discuss with your friends and family and read reviews beforehand.

Ease of customers

If the service providers care about their customers, they will try to make the process easier from start to finish. Almost all clinics now have a website with a detailed description of their services and operating hours. These sites also offer the option to book appointments and choose a doctor. If you plan to regularly visit the clinic, online booking can certainly help and some Chiropractors may offer discounts for block bookings.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it is you who will be getting the treatment. So, it is important that you choose a foot doctor in Chesham who can provide not only valuable chiropody treatments but also foot surgery in Chesham if needed.
If you are looking for a trusted and experienced Chiropodist for chiropody treatment or foot surgery in Chesham, Bucks Foot Clinic has more than 60 years combined experience and has seen and treated almost every type of foot issue.

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

Heel pain treatment by foot specialists in Beaconsfield

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Heel pain treatment Beaconsfield, the foot and ankle consist of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, with the heel being the most prominent bone in your foot.

Overuse or injuries to your heel may cause you to experience heel pain. Heel pain can range from mild to disabling. Should you be experiencing severe heel pain, visit your doctor or chiropractor. They will diagnose and determine the cause of the pain and suggest appropriate treatment.

For heel pain treatment in Beaconsfield, you must consult with the number one foot specialist in Beaconsfield, Bucksfoot Clinic.

What is heel pain?

A standard foot and ankle problem is heel pain. Heel pain is pain felt underneath or behind the heel. In most cases, it is curable with medication and care, and heel pain is very rarely treated with foot surgery.

What causes heel pain?

Several reasons could cause heel pain. The pain can reside in the heel bone, back of the heel, or beneath it. For example, you may develop heel pain if you wear the wrong shoe size or shape, stand for a long time, exercise a lot, or become overweight.

Other reasons for experiencing heel pain include:

Plantar fasciitis

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This pain happens when the connective tissue on the lower part of the foot stretches or tears. It is common in people who jump or run a lot. In addition, walking on hard surfaces can further increase discomfort.

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints in the feet. When they swell, it causes a bruise-like feeling at the back of the heel. This problem occurs in those who are on their feet for long times.

Haglund’s deformity

Inflammation can cause an enlarged bump in the back of the heel, which gets worse from wearing high heels.

Achilles tendinitis

Our calf muscle is connected to the heel bone via the Achilles tendon. Overusing the muscles can cause Achilles tendonitis, which is common in sports players. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the back of the heel.

Contusion

Contusion happens when you step on something sharp that injures the foot’s padding. Visibly it may look fine, but the heel feels sore when walking.

Heel spurs

Heel spurs can occur as a result of chronic plantar fasciitis. They are bony growths that are usually painless. However, some people might feel pain.

Where to find heel pain treatment in Beaconsfield?

Since different pain has different treatment methods, they require professional advice. If you suffer from any of the above pain, consult a foot specialist in Beaconsfield to start treatment.

Most of the time, if the pain isn’t severe, it will disappear on its own. However, if the pain doesn’t get better, it can cause problems.

Constant heel pain can become a hindrance in your daily activities. Furthermore, delaying your visit to a foot specialist can lead to further problems and more treatment.

To prevent your condition from worsening, you should visit a trusted foot specialist to get the best heel pain treatment in Beaconsfield.

A foot specialist will examine your feet and suggest heel pain treatment. In addition, the doctor might recommend x-rays in case of any fractures or an MRI scan for any tissue problems.

You might be prescribed medication, or the doctor will suggest exercises or therapy which the expert foot specialists can give you. In case of severe problems, the doctor might suggest custom-made shoes.

It is essential to follow the doctor’s advice and give the foot complete rest for proper healing. Otherwise, the pain may get worse and take longer to go away.

However, if the pain continues to get worse or doesn’t go away soon, consult with your doctor.

Conclusion

If you suffer from any foot problems or want to visit a foot surgery in Beaconsfield, visit Bucksfoot clinicBucksfoot clinic has the most experienced and reliable foot specialists in Beaconsfield. They provide services for all foot-related pain, as well as foot surgery in Beaconsfield. They also offer custom-made footwear for severe feet problems.

Do not continue to suffer; book your appointment today to get the best heel pain treatment in Beaconsfield at Bucksfoot clinic.

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

Symptoms of diabetes and diabetic care in Beaconsfield

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Diabetes is the most prevalent illness of our generation. The amount of people being diagnosed with diabetes has exponentially increased in the last few years globally.
In addition, the amount of unhealthy and processed food consumed in young people and children has increased the number of people diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes can create diet restrictions as well as negatively affects the body functions and energy levels. Currently, there is no cure for diabetes. However, doctors advise patients to exercise, practice a healthy diet, and manage weight loss.
For people not suffering from diabetes or are borderline diabetes, you can take preventive measures yourself. First, look for any possible symptoms and if you are unsure, then visit diabetic care in Beaconsfield has to offer.

What are the top 5 symptoms of diabetes?

You might be aware that most forms of diabetes are either type 1 or type 2, both having different symptoms and different treatment methods.
Gestational diabetes is another type of diabetes common in pregnant women. Gestational diabetes disappears after the birth of the baby.
Type 2 diabetes patients do not feel any symptoms for a long time, or sometimes they never feel any symptoms. Whereas type 1 patients may feel nausea, vomiting or pain in their stomach in addition to the symptoms given below:

  1. Feeling thirst and hunger
    Also known as polydipsia, the feeling of thirst is caused due to the high blood sugar levels in your body. Whereas, due to diabetes, the body fails to convert food to energy, which is why many people feel hungry and fatigued even after eating.
    Some people might even lose weight without doing anything. This happens because the body starts burning fat when it cannot get energy from the food.
  2. Urinating often
    Diabetes can cause you to urinate more than you normally do, especially during the night. It happens because your body cannot filter out the glucose from your blood, causing the kidneys to make more urine. Polyuria is the medical term for this symptom.
  3. Blurry vision
    When the levels of fluids in the body change, it can lead to swelling on lenses inside the eyes. The swelling changes the shape of the lens, leading to blurry vision. Late treatment can even lead to permanent loss of eyesight.
  4. Dry and itchy skin
    As your body is releasing essential fluids in urine, other parts of your body may become dehydrated leading to dryness and itchiness.
  5. Nerve damage
    High blood sugar levels can negatively affect your nerves and stop proper blood circulation. This can prevent or delay proper healing when you get wounded. Not only that, but damaged nerves can also cause numbness and tingling in your feet, hands and legs, called neuropathy.
    You can get help from a foot doctor in Beaconsfield who has experience in treating nerve damage in feet and legs.
    It is really important to timely visit a doctor and gets diabetic care treatment in Beaconsfield if you face any of these symptoms.
    Neglecting these symptoms or delaying the treatment can lead to heart complications, stroke, vision loss, and kidney diseases. This is why it is important to get regular check-ups diabetic care in Beaconsfield.

How diabetic care in Beaconsfield is helpful?

Catching these symptoms early can significantly help in getting the diagnosis and treatment sooner. The doctors may suggest some changes in lifestyle which can prevent the condition from worsening and control your blood sugar levels.
The doctors might suggest medication to help keep fluid levels stable in the body.
In addition, support from reliable and experienced doctors can significantly play a part in improving your health.
Expert foot doctors in Beaconsfield at Bucksfoot clinic can help with nerve damage in your feet as well as offer diabetic foot care. They have worked with many diabetic patients throughout the years and offer reliable diabetic foot care in Beaconsfield.

Conclusion

To summarise, it is really important to take care of your diet and lifestyle choices to stay away from diabetes. Regularly examining yourself for the symptoms and keeping your body in check can help you get an early diagnosis and prevent future complications.
As a diabetic patient, you should get routine diabetic care in Beaconsfield or visit the expert foot doctors in Beaconsfield. These regular checks can not only help you feel better but also identify the early warning signs.

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

A guide to chiropodists in Little Chalfont and how they can help

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If you are someone whose days are spent on your feet, walking here and there, chances are you might face some foot-related issues sooner or later.
Foot related issues could range from something normal like foot pain to something serious like foot fungus.
Foot problems very common and appear more often than you think, and there is nothing to be worrying about.
The most common reasons for foot problems are choosing the wrong types of shoes and not taking enough care of your feet.
If you live in Chalfont and need any help with your foot issues, you must be thinking, “I should look for a chiropodist near me in Little Chalfont?”.
Good for you; a Chiropodist can help you eradicate these problems and guide you on how to take proper care of your feet.
Keep reading on if you want to learn more about Chiropodists in Little Chalfont and how they can be of help in getting you back on your feet in no time.

Responsibilities

  • Assessing the condition of patient’s feet, legs, ankles
  • Reviewing the medical history of the patient
  • Diagnosing the problem of the foot, ankle, lower leg through x-rays, laboratory tests, and other methods
  • Prescribing the mediation for the patient
  • Referring the patient to other medical specialists in case of severe health-related issues such as diabetes
  • Performing different sorts of the foot, ankle, and lower leg surgeries
  • Providing the treatment to the patient to improve the mobility of lower body parts

Education

To become a chiropodist, one must have a degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from a recognised college of podiatric medicine. Before booking an appointment to visit a chiropodist in Little Chalfont or chiropody treatments Little Chalfont you must first ensure that the chiropodist has the relevant degree and training.

Role of chiropodists in a pandemic

The Covid-19 has impacted every medical profession, and Chiropody is no exception. This pandemic has transformed the role of chiropodists.
If you search for chiropodist Little Chalfont or chiropody treatments Little Chalfont, you will find medical professions using unconventional methods.
There is a shift from the conventional way of operating to digital consultation. Digital appointments provide ways of treating foot-related problems and reduces the spread of the virus at the same time.

Chiropody treatments Little Chalfont

Little Chalfont is a small town with a population of few thousand people. Chiropodist in Little Chalfont would treat their patients with a personal touch.
If you google chiropodist near me, Little Chalfont, you will see Bucks Foot Clinic at the top of the results. The clinic is known for its friendly and well-trained staff with highly qualified medical specialists. The clinic enjoys a good reputation along with a high rating. Its address is 18 Woodside Rd, Amersham HP6 6AJ, United Kingdom. If you would like to book an appointment, you can call on +44 800 107 3290

Conclusion

Foot-related issues can cause major disease, muscular problems, and mobility issues. So if you are facing any such problem with the foot, ankle, or lower limb, it is better to consult a chiropodist.
If you visit a chiropodist when you first find a problem with your feet, there are options available for chiropody treatments in Little Chalfont. Among them, Bucks Foot Clinic is highly recommended.

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

What to look for when finding shoes for foot pain in Beaconsfield

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What to look for when finding shoes for foot pain in Beaconsfield

Foot pain can prevent you from doing things such as your daily routine, especially the activities where you need to stay on your feet.
Foot pain can range from mild to severe and may last a short time or be a constant issue, also classed as chronic pain.
Luckily, some experts and professionals can help find the best shoes for foot pain in Beaconsfield to get rid of the discomfort and get back on our feet.

How to find the best shoes for foot pain in Beaconsfield?

Before setting out to buy shoes to tackle the pain in your feet, you need to understand the root cause of the problem.
There can be many reasons for your foot pain, and some of them will require help from foot doctors or foot specialists near you.
Usually, lifestyle choices are the cause of foot pain. For example, wearing the wrong shoe shape or size, not using insoles can place a great deal of pressure on your feet.
In such cases, choosing the right size and trying out your shoes on different surfaces can help ease your foot pain.
However, there are some medical problems as well that can be the underlying cause of foot pain. In such cases, you’ll need to consult a foot specialist near you in Beaconsfield who can examine your problem and suggest customised shoes for maximum comfort.
Shopping for shoes when you have foot pain is not an easy task. You want to be sure that you are spending your money on the right product that will keep you comfortable at all times.

Here are a few factors to consider when buying new shoes:

  • Arch height
    The arch of your insoles should fit perfectly with the contours of your feet. If the shoe arch is too high or too roomy, the shoe is not suitable for your feet.
  • Firm support
    If the insoles of shoes are too flexible or too cushioned, they will not help ease your pain for too long. So instead, shoes should provide firm insole support.
  • High quality
    The majority of the time, you will have to replace the shoes’ insoles, which can be expensive. Therefore, when buying shoes, choose durable shoes that will last a long time.

Dealing with foot pain

There are some cases where you should consult your doctor, such as:

  • when your pain is sudden
  • you get injured
  • you can not place any weight on your feet

Bucks foot clinic has a team of foot doctors in Beaconsfield who provide high-quality personalised treatment for your feet. They help you find the right shoes for foot pain in Beaconsfield.
With the right equipment and expertise, the doctors will help eradicate your discomfort. For example, the doctor will examine your feet, watch how you walk, notice the movements in your feet and legs, etc.
Depending on the severity of your foot pain, your foot doctor will guide you on what shoes to wear. These shoes are of great use to keep your feet in an optimal position and eliminate the factors that cause pain.
The doctors might suggest using orthotics, medical devices you wear inside your shoes to correct foot problems. These devices help ease your foot pain and avoid surgery in the future.
Other than that, it would help if you always took measures to prevent discomfort. For example, choose the right shoes for your foot pain, avoid heels and narrow toe areas, stretch before exercise and practice good foot hygiene.

Conclusion

When choosing shoes when you suffer from foot pain, your best bet is to consult with a foot specialist. When buying shoes, try on different styles to find which shoe feels best on your feet.
If you are looking for a foot specialist near you in Beaconsfield, feel free to contact Bucks foot clinic who will be happy to advise you and it is never too late to start wearing good shoes.

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

Things to look for when finding a chiropodist near me in Chesham

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Things to look for when finding a chiropodist near me in Chesham

If you have ever suffered from any foot problems, a chiropodist near me, Chesham, is your ideal solution. Also known as podiatrists in some regions, chiropodists are healthcare professionals trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
Chiropodists help prevent and correct deformities, keep you mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections. A chiropodist can advise you on how to take care of your feet and what type of shoes to wear.

What treatments can I get from a chiropodist near me in Chesham?

Chiropody treatments in Chesham include alleviating foot problems, including:

  1. Corns and calluses – These are hard or thick areas of skin on the feet that can cause distress or pain while walking. A chiropodist can remove them, allowing you to walk pain-free.
  2. Athletes foot – Athletes foot is a fungal infection that causes rashes that sting and itch. It is infectious and often reoccurs if not appropriately treated. A chiropodist will treat the condition while ensuring it doesn’t come back.
  3. Verrucas – Verrucas are like standing on a needle. They are infectious and take a long time to go away, even when taking medication. Chiropodists have specialised treatment procedures for verrucas that can treat them quickly and efficiently.

Some other common problems dealt with by chiropody treatments in Chesham includes:

  1. Toenail problems
  2. Smelly feet
  3. Dry and cracked feet
  4. Flat feet
  5. Bunions
  6. Heel pain
  7. Ageing feet
  8. Blisters or gouts
  9. Sports injuries

Chiropodists in Chesham can also supply orthotics, which are tailor-made devices worn inside shoes to prevent pain and discomfort.

What should you do before an appointment?

Given below is a list of things you can do to ensure that your consultation with a chiropodist in Chesham is fruitful:

  1. Make a list of concerns and questions you might have. Write down when the problem started, what aggravates it, where it occurs and how often.
  2. If there are specific shoes that cause you discomfort, take them to your chiropodist. The shoes will help them identify the problem, thereby making your diagnosis quicker.
  3. If you have sprained your ankle, visit a chiropodist. They can help make sure that your ligaments heal properly.

What to expect at the first consultation?

Typically, the chiropodist takes a complete medical history and carries out basic tests on the first consultation. For example, they might look at how you walk and how your legs and back move with each step.
If they find any problem, they will generate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Most of the issues a chiropodist will encounter are minor and are easily treated on the spot.
If your foot problems make it difficult or painful to walk, the chiropodists in Chesham will arrange a home visit.

How to make sure the chiropodist is qualified?

A chiropodist must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or be a member of a medical organisation like the College of Podiatry. You can easily search it up on the web and look for their name and qualifications.

How to care for your feet later on?

Chiropodists suggest that you avoid wearing shoes with pointy toes or flat soles as they may put pressure at the wrong point on your feet. Many people do not realise this, but it is essential to clean your shoes every so often.
It is also important to throw away old shoes after you have worn them. Old shoes will lose their shape and rigidity. Poorly shaped shoes will also lead to further foot problems.
Cleaning your feet daily and cutting your nails straight across can save you from foot fungus or ingrown nails.
Lastly, to save your feet from calluses and open sores, apply lotion to your feet every time you wash them.
To sum up, foot care is critical if you want to continue your activities without any pain. If you feel like you need chiropodist treatments in Chesham, contact us today. We have treated thousands of patients with amazing satisfactory results.

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

General podiatry: What is it and what to expect on your visit

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General podiatry: What is it and what to expect on your visit

General podiatry is a medical field that refers to explore the treatments regarding foot, ankle, and lower leg. General podiatry was first started in the United States and quickly spread globally to become standard practice.
In general podiatry, a podiatrist treats the lower parts of the leg. A general podiatric surgeon can easily remove the dead skin on your feet. Moreover, a podiatrist can also refer which shoes are best to wear if you are in pain or are experiencing any other problem with your feet.

Industry of podiatry

The industry of podiatry is growing fast and is practised in many countries. The specialised podiatrist will diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the foot and lower limbs.
The rising elderly population, together with the increasing prevalence of diabetes and foot-related conditions that accompany the disease, has continued to increase the demand for podiatry services. The widespread occurrence of foot-health issues has also buoyed demand for podiatry related services.

Types of podiatrist

General podiatry offers general foot treatment for specific foot conditions. Some surgeons provide certain types of podiatric medicine like sports medicine.
General podiatry can treat conditions such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Dermatology
  • Orthotics
  • Circulatory food conditions
  • General or reconstructive surgery
  • Geriatric care
  • Inflammatory conditions

In general podiatry, a podiatrist can remedy a vast range of conditions which includes:

  • Foot injuries
  • Foot pain
  • Skin conditions
  • Nail conditions
  • Causes of heel pain

How podiatrists works

General podiatry is available worldwide and easily accessible, even if you live in a small town like Little Chalfont.
Podiatrists in Little Chalfont can treat and cure a vast range of foot conditions. They can offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatment together, depends on patient’s needs. Podiatric surgeons are specialized in different fields, such as:

  • Podiatric orthopedic
  • General podiatric physician
  • High-risk wound care
  • Neuron- podiatrist
  • Podiatric oncologist
  • Dermatological podiatrist
  • Podiatric sports physicians
  • The study of kids foot and ankle condition
  • Forensic podiatry
  • Consultant podiatric physician
  • Podiatric medical physician

The field of podiatry is vast, and we would need several blog posts to explain all the specializations. For example, most patients who visit podiatrists will have a problem with their foot or ankle.
In some of the clinics, there is a treatment of fractures, bunions, general foot pain, foot and ankle problems, corns, warts, and many more.
The most common treatment given by surgeons is commonly known as a general treatment. However, the treatment may vary from person to person.
If someone is a new patient, the surgeon will ask a series of questions to compile a history of the problems related to foot and ankle. Usually, general treatment would include cutting toenails, removing dead skin, and corns if they are present.
The podiatrist may also work on ingrown nails or fungal nails, or maybe cracked heels. The podiatrist will ultimately suggest the best possible treatment regarding the condition or disease.
Podiatrists use modern and sterilised equipment and instruments for the safety of the patient. Therefore, if a patient were to visit the podiatrist for regular treatments, the patient would eventually maintain good foot health and prevent future problems from occurring.

Podiatric assistants

In some countries, there is an option to be a podiatric assistant. They used to work as a part of the podiatric medical team in different clinics, whether surgical or clinical. Another name is foot care assistant.
As a podiatry assistant, their work will include advising the patients about caring for their feet, health, and footwear. Also, they used to take appointments for the surgeons, cutting and filing of nails.
Among all the types of specialisation, forensic podiatry needs more knowledge because, in this field, you must have knowledge and experience in forensic science and podiatry to help in human identification.

Conclusion

A Podiatrist in Little Chalfont treats people of all ages, older adults, children, sportspeople, dancers, or diabetic patients.
Our feet are an essential body part for our overall health and well-being. With growing age, it becomes increasingly challenging to take care of our own feet or toenails.
Walking is one of the best medicines for our feet. With the growing population, regular general podiatry treatments can prevent many foot problems.

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

Verruca treatment will get rid of a verruca fast and safely

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Verruca treatment will get rid of a verruca fast and safely

Verrucas are not just itchy and uncomfortable; they can be quite embarrassing as well.
According to the British Skin Foundation (BSF), around 65 percent of verrucas or warts will disappear within two years.
Although there is a chance that this skin infection will go away with time, many like to speed up the process. Before we discuss the best verruca treatment to get rid of a verruca fast and safely, it is vital to be familiar with the basics.

What is a verruca?

Verrucas are warts that grow on feet. They are a viral skin infection that appears on the outermost layer of the skin.
Suppose a verruca appears on the sole of your feet. In that case, it can be excruciating as it is a central weight-bearing area of the body.
Verrucas start off looking like cauliflower, but they will quickly flatten up because of your body weight pressure.

Symptoms of a verruca

Warts generally do not cause any symptoms. They may be a little uncomfortable, and you might worry about how you look.
On the other hand, Verrucas can cause pain, mainly when they are grown on the sole of your feet or close to your nail beds.

Causes of verrucas

Verrucas are contagious. They can quickly spread from person to person, either through direct contact or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
While they are contagious, the chances of catching them are relatively low.
The possibility of catching a verruca increase when your skin is wet, damaged or you have a weak immune system.

What is the best verruca treatment?

Most warts or verrucas go away with time. However, if your verruca is bothering you, there are a couple of ways you can get rid of them fast and safely.

  • Home remedies
    • You can take a piece of banana skin that is of the same size as your verruca and place the banana skin on top of your verruca. Make sure that you have secured the banana skin with a plaster. Do this before going to bed for about two weeks.
    • Garlic is famous for its healing characteristics. You can use garlic to get rid of your wart as well. Take a small garlic piece and place it over your verruca and secure the garlic with a plaster. Do this daily for a month, and you shall see the results.
    • According to a study published in 1996, you can get rid of your verruca with duct tape. Just cover your verruca with a small piece of duct tape, and your verruca will be gone in a couple of weeks.
  • Medicines
    There are countless gels, creams, and medicated plasters that you can use to treat verrucas. You can easily buy them over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.
    A lot of these products contain salicylic acid that can help soften your verruca. Many customers claim that these products have shown positive results for them.
    Avoid using products that contain salicylic acid on your face as there is always the risk of scarring.
    Suppose you have a medical condition like diabetes. In that case, it is best to contact your doctor or speak to a pharmacist before buying these products.
  • Cryotherapy
    If you are looking for verruca removal Amersham, then cryotherapy can be a quick solution.
    Cryotherapy is the process of freezing your verruca with liquid nitrogen, resulting in your verruca falling off instantly.
    It is always a smart decision to choose a podiatrist to perform cryotherapy.
    Verruca treatment can lead to scarring, and cryotherapy can be a little painful too. Cryotherapy is not advised for young children.
  • See a podiatrist
    The best way to get rid of your verruca fast and safely is by visiting a podiatrist. Podiatrists are medical experts who specialise in treating the disorders of feet, ankles, and lower legs.
    For verruca removal Amersham, podiatrist generally use a SWIFT machine treatment.
    SWIFT machine treatment is a new method of verruca removal developed by scientists and medical professionals. SWIFT technology uses microwave energy to remove verrucas.
    The medical industry has been using microwave energy for several decades to treat different kinds of cancers. SWIFT machine treatment is more effective than using salicylic acid or cryotherapy to remove verrucas. The success rate of this method is around 75 percent.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has provided you with all the relevant information you need to get rid of your verruca fast and safely. Unfortunately, no verruca treatment has a 100 percent success rate. The success of the treatment method generally depends upon the strength of your body’s immune system.
However, to be on the safe side, you should visit a podiatrist when dealing with a stubborn verruca.

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

Athlete’s Foot: How to Prevent This Unbearable Condition

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Athlete’s Foot: How to Prevent This Unbearable Condition

When gym-goers and athletes walk barefoot in communal showers, swimming pools and gym, it provides an open invitation to numerous infections to occur, including Athlete’s Foot Infection and verrucas. Athletes Foot is an infection that spreads to people in wet conditions.
Chiropody treatments can help with athletes foot and verruca treatment.

Understanding Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal skin infection that must not be ignored and treated immediately to prevent the spread. Athlete’s foot is in common with men who wear tight-fitting shoes, socks or walk barefooted in public wet spaces.
If you do not quickly identify the infection, it may spread to other areas, including nails, hands, and the groin. In such instances, consult a general podiatrist or an expert podiatrist Beaconsfield who can give the right chiropodist verruca treatment on time.

Common Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

It is never a good idea to ignore the athlete’s foot in any case because leaving it untreated will make things complications like septicaemia. So, in that case, you need to be aware of the common symptoms of athlete’s foot so that you can treat it right away.
Consult a Podiatrist in Beaconsfield, to get your feet inspected and prescribed the correct course of treatment.

Athlete’s Foot Signs

  1. Inflammation:
    Itching, inflammation, and swelling might take place, and the skin becomes red.
  2. Dry & Brittle skin:
    In athlete’s foot, the skin between the toes becomes dry and brittle as fungal yeast attacks the skin cells.
  3. Blistering:
    In the severe cases of athlete’s foot, there are small and painful blisters on the sole of your feet or in between the toes, which is very uncomfortable.
  4. Itchiness:
    Dry and inflamed skin causes irritation and itchiness, which is the most common symptom of fungal infections.

How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot Infection

Consulting a General Podiatry for Chiropody Treatments or chiropodist verruca treatment is a wise decision to get rid of athlete’s foot, verruca, corns, or other foot-related problems.
Here are five natural tips for preventing athlete’s foot:

  1. Tea Tree Oil
    Using tea tree oil is among the most effective natural treatments for the athlete’s foot. You must wash your feet twice a day, dry them thoroughly and then rub tea tree oil into the skin. It helps in minimising the effects of itching, swelling, and temperature.
  2. Fist Honey Ointment
    Fist honey ointment is not only recommended for treating athlete’s foot, but it is even helpful in other sorts of foot infections. It helps in getting rid of itching, heat, and pain in the affected areas.
  3. Garlic
    Garlic turns out to be the most effective method to treat athlete’s foot since the garlic properties help in treating all sorts of fungus-based infections. Using garlic to treat athletes foot will keep you away from Chiropody Treatments or Chiropody Verruca Treatment.
  4. Coconut Oil
    It acts as a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compound that you can easily apply on the feet to nourish the skin’s dry and damaged cells.
  5. Wearing the right footwear
    If you wear sandals, your feet will get exposed to the light and give ample breathing space to your feet, which further improves the state of your feet. Since there is no dark and humid environment, the fungi will not multiply and help you get rid of athlete’s foot.

Don’t Hesitate to Consult a Specialist!

Undoubtedly, the above tips will help you get rid of the athlete’s foot to a great extent.
Suppose you feel there is no benefit, it’s better to look for general podiatry and consult a Podiatrist in Beaconsfield to know what the cause is.
It will help you get the right treatment on time and treat the infection in the early stage.

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

Should I Visit A Podiatrist For Verruca Removal Amersham?

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Should I Visit A Podiatrist For Verruca Removal Amersham?

Warts or Verrucas are widespread infections that occur in the outer layers of the skin. They are contagious and can quickly spread from person to person. They are also very stubborn and quite challenging to remove. There are several types of Verruca Treatment available; however, the SWIFT machine treatment is by far the best way to treat all kinds of warts and verrucas.

What is SWIFT machine verruca treatment?

SWIFT machine is the latest medical microwave technology that is highly effective in treating warts, verrucae, or papillomas.
A SWIFT machine uses a microwave signal emitted through a special probe into the skin. This simple process stimulates an immune response from the body, which ultimately causes the body’s immune system to recognise the wart virus and kill it.
The following are some of the benefits of visiting a podiatrist for Verruca Removal Amersham using SWIFT machine treatment.

Benefits of SWIFT machine treatment

Microwave technology has been used for more than three decades to treat liver, lung, kidney and breast cancer.
The controlled power of microwaves can effectively and quickly destroy all infected tissue, leaving the body to replace the affected tissue.

  1. 86% Success Rate
    According to the latest study, when compared to traditional treatments, SWIFT machine treatment has been found to have a success rate of about 86 per cent. Not only is it super effective, it is also fast. You only need a few treatments for a complete Verruca Removal Amersham.
  2. No Mess
    Unlike traditional treatments, SWIFT machine treatment does not require lotions, dressings or bandages. There is no need to burn or freeze the skin using acids or worry about extreme self-care.

Just pop along to your local podiatrist for SWIFT machine treatment and get rid of your wart or verruca with absolutely no mess.

Who can benefit from it?

Almost anyone who is suffering from stubborn warts and verrucas can use the SWIFT machine. However, if the following apply to you, it is better to consult a podiatrist first.

  • Metal plates, pins or replacement joints in the ankle or foot
  • Pacemaker
  • Poor peripheral circulation
  • Poor healing capacity
  • Immune suppression
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Very low pain threshold

Does it hurt?

Just like any other treatment, SWIFT machine treatment can cause some discomfort. It is also possible to feel minor pain during treatments though the sensation varies from person to person.
A few people describe the sensation as similar to a prick with a needle, but others find it more painful.
It is also essential to know that SWIFT machine treatment is applied for around 5 seconds at a time, meaning that the discomfort will only last for a couple of seconds before disappearing.

What can I do after my treatment?

Usually, any discomfort or pain ends as soon as the treatment finishes. However, it is entirely possible to feel some minor discomfort when you have reached home.
The best part about trying SWIFT machine treatment is that there is no broken skin, requiring no dressings. After your treatment, you can do whatever you like. You can go to the gym, go dancing, running, etc.

Will the wart or verruca come back?

Once the wart or verruca is removed, it is usually gone for good. Although the SWIFT machine has prompted an immune response that resulted in antibodies’ production, there is still no guarantee that your wart or verruca won’t come back in the future.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has delivered you all the information needed to decide whether you should visit a podiatrist for SWIFT Machine Treatment.
The decision is all yours. However, if you are interested, visit Bucks Foot Clinic and let our expert podiatrist look at your wart or verruca.

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

Diabetic Foot Care Management Guide. What You Need To Know

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Diabetic Foot Care Management Guide. What You Need To Know

Diabetic Foot Care should be a vital part of your health care routine. Foot care becomes more critical if you have diabetes because foot-related problems are prevalent in diabetic patients.
If you have diabetes, your feet can get affected in two ways: You might start losing feeling in your feet because of nerve damage, or blood supply to your feet becomes slow.
Even a tiny cut or a minor injury can lead to severe complications. You can avoid complications if you take some time out for diabetic foot care.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about diabetic foot care management Bucks.

Why is Diabetic Foot Care important?

If you have diabetes, you are more likely to experience circulation problems, nerve damage, and infections in your feet, leading to foot-related severe issues.
However, you can save yourself some trouble by taking preventive measures. To keep your feet healthy, you should not overlook the importance of regular diabetic foot care.

Daily Diabetic Foot Care

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should take good care of your feet. While you should seek Diabetic Foot Care Beaconsfield treatment, there are a few things you can do to keep your feet healthy.

  1.  Inspect your feet
    Make sure that you are inspecting your feet daily. Inspect the tops, soles, sides, heels, toes, and area between the toes. If you observe any redness, cuts, bruises, or sores, contact your doctor right away.
  2. Wash your feet
    It is also essential to wash your feet in warm water with mild soap every day. Avoid using hot water and harsh soaps. Make sure to check the water temperature using your fingers because your diabetic condition could affect your foot’s sensation.
  3. Dry your feet
    It is also essential to keep your feet completely dry. Infections are more likely to develop in moist and damp areas. If your feet feel too dry or rough, then you can always use lotion. Podiatrists advise you to avoid using cream between your toes.
  4. Wear the right footwear
    If you have diabetes, then you should invest in special diabetic shoes to prevent complications. Ensure that the shoes are soft and comfortable to wear but do not allow the feet to slide within the shoe. Wearing footwear that has good airflow and air circulation can also be beneficial.
  5. Cut nails carefully
    Diabetic patients need to cut their nails straight across. Avoid cutting the edges and instead file them. It is also essential to make sure that you are not cutting your nails too short, as it can lead to ingrown toenails.
  6. Visit a Podiatrist
    Taking good care of your feet is imperative; however, you should also make sure that you are visiting your podiatrist regularly. The podiatrist will also suggest the best methods of taking care of your feet between your visits.

If you do not know a podiatrist, then you can search for one on the internet by typing “Foot Clinic near me or Diabetic Foot Care management.

Healthy feet habits

  • Avoid walking barefoot because it could lead to injuries that can get infected.
  • Protect your feet from cold and heat.
  • Never attempt to remove corns or warts on your own. See a Foot Care Beaconsfield clinic instead.
  • Do not stand in one position or sit with your legs crossed for long periods.
  • Wear clean and dry socks.
  • Shake out your shoes before wearing them. A pebble or other small objects can cause a cut or injury that can lead to infection.
  • Avoid smoking because it can restrict blood flow in your feet.

Foot clinic near me

Bucks Foot Clinic is a leading specialist for Diabetic foot care management Bucks.
Our expert podiatrist will diagnose your feet and give you honest advice to make the best choice of treatment for your feet.
We have the knowledge, expertise, and the best equipment to take care of all your foot-related problems. At Bucks Foot Clinic, we want to see you back on your feet.

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

Corn Treatment for Foot: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

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Corn Treatment for Foot: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Of all the foot ailments, corns are the most common ones which are usually the result of the production of keratin and form on pressure spots on the feet. A corn is a translucent central core of keratin that causes pain or even inflammation in the majority of the cases. It is the body’s response to persistent friction or pressure between the bone, skin, and footwear.
Corns can take two forms – hard corns and soft corns. Soft corns, aka seed corns, are formed between the toes. The corns are soft and spongy due to the sweat between the toes.
While the hard corns usually form on the top of the smaller toes and it occurs because of wearing ill-fitted shoes Corn Treatment.

Symptoms of Foot Corns

Foot corn is the hardened layer of skin that can occur at numerous spots on your feet like- between the toes, below the toenail bed, bottom of the feet, or on the sides of the feet. There are a few common symptoms of foot corns, such as- the skin of your tips or toes is sensitive while touching, rough or yellow patches of lumpy skin, or feeling pain while wearing shoes.
However, there’s nothing to worry about if you have foot corns because you can find numerous methods for Corn Treatment for Foot.

Causes of Foot Corns

Foot corns caused due to abnormal pressure and friction, which might happen if you wear ill-fitted shoes that were too tight and walked for a long time. Moreover, the foot shape is also another cause since the foot bones are misaligned, and pressure applied to a specific area which hardens the skin and takes the form of foot corn.
In some cases, developing corns is genetic or is acquired like trauma or ageing, which comprises of foot abnormalities such as flat-foot and abnormal gait. Certain professions are more prone to foot corns such as waiters, cabin crew, or nurses who have to stand for a long time are more prone to developing foot corns and need to look for corn treatment in Beaconsfield.

Ways of Corn Treatment for Foot

There is not a lot to worry about if you have small corns because corn removal in Little Chalfont is relatively easy. It would be best if you avoid the pressure that causes small corns because this will help in treating foot corns, and they will disappear by itself. This corn treatment in Beaconsfield might take around two to four weeks to recover from the foot corn. To get significant results, you must ensure that you regularly take care of your feet, wash them properly, dry them, and moisturise them from time to time. 

Here are a few proven methods for corn treatment for foot:

  • In case of painful corns, trimming by scraping is an effective method which you can do it yourself or consult a podiatrist.
  • In case the corn irritates you, you need to file it down using pumice stone that helps in relieving pressure. Before filing, ensure the skin is moisturised. You must soak your feet in warm water for around ten minutes and remove the dead skin using pumice stone gently. Repeat this corn treatment Beaconsfield every day to get rid of foot corns.
  • Corn plasters, i.e. cushioning the corn, is another method to treat foot corns easily. This method offers pain relief by cushioning, keeps the corn safe from rubbing and even moisturises the area surrounding the corn and gradually removes it.

Consulting an expert podiatrist can analyse your case individually and suggest you the best corn removal Little Chalfont and remove the corns safely and in a painless manner.

Self-care is a Must!

There are numerous ways to treat foot corns, and you will get considerable results in around two to four weeks, but being aware and taking care of the root cause is necessary. If the corns occurred due to ill-fitting shoes, you need to work on it, and self-care and prevention can help you avoid foot corns in the long run. Usually, you can treat foot corns at home, but in extreme cases, consult a podiatrist.

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Effective and Long Lasting Corn Removal Little Chalfont, Bucks

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What are corns?

Corns are thickened areas of skin that usually occur on the feet. They are pretty similar to a callus, but they are comparatively smaller, more challenging, and much more painful.
Although corns are not lethal, they can cause irritation and frustration for sufferers.
You can use home remedies to treat corns, but it is recommended to see a foot specialist or podiatrist.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about home remedies and professional corn treatment for foot.

Lifestyle and home remedies

According to dermatologists, you should follow these steps to get rid of corns:

  1. Soak your foot in warm water
    Soaking your feet in warm and soapy water can soften the corns. Make sure that the corn is fully submerged for around 10 minutes. Softened corn will make it very easy to remove the thickened skin.
  2. File the corn
    Use a pumice stone to file the corn. Gentle circular motions can help get rid of the dead skin. Please do not overdo filing the corn because it is straightforward to take off too much skin, leading to bleeding.
  3. Use over-the-counter corn pads.
    You can always buy an over-the-counter corn pad to protect the corn from making contact with your shoe.

The above lifestyle and home remedies to treat corns on your own are for those who are not suffering from diabetes or any other medical condition that causes poor blood flow.
If you are experiencing any of these conditions, it is best to consult your doctor, foot specialist or podiatrist.

When to see a doctor

If you have diabetes or the corn is causing too much pain, you should immediately consult a doctor or foot specialist. You can contact Corn Removal Little Chalfont to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Corn Treatment for Foot

If you visit a podiatrist for corn treatment Beaconsfield, the following are some of the treatments they recommend to you.

  1. Trimming away the corn
    Your doctor can easily trim corn using a scalpel. However, it is not recommended to do it on your own because it can easily lead to an infection.
  2. Callus-removing medication
    Your doctor can also apply a patch with 40 per cent salicylic acid to treat your corn. The doctor will also advise you on replacing the patch and how often you should replace it.
  3. Surgery
    If your corn is not treatable using the methods mentioned above, your doctor may recommend surgery to fix the alignment of a bone that is causing friction.

How to prevent corns

To make sure that your corns do not come back after treatment, you must eradicate the conditions that caused them to appear in the first place.
The following are some of the tips that will help you to eliminate friction and prevent corns from coming back:

  1. Wear shoes and socks that aren’t too tight or too loose.
  2. Trim your toenails.
  3. Keep your feet clean by regularly washing them with warm and soapy water.
  4. Use creams and lotions regularly to prevent friction and dryness.

Where Can I Find Effective Corn Removal Little Chalfont?

If you are looking for the best corn treatment Beaconsfield, look no more because Bucks Foot Clinic is here to help.
Bucks Foot Clinic is the best place for corn treatment for foot.
They will look after you and your feet so that you can get back to your daily routine as soon as possible.
Just make an appointment, let the professional podiatrist look at your feet, diagnose the cause of the corn, and offer you the best Corn Treatment for Foot.

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Can A Foot Doctor or Podiatrist Help with Swollen Feet?

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Can A Foot Doctor or Podiatrist Help with Swollen Feet?

Different parts of the body are more prone to swelling or inflammation, such as the feet or hands. Like most problems, there is a solution. Foot doctor near me or podiatrists can treat swollen feet with the help of a procedure called Medi Pedi treatment. Medi Pedi UK is a medical-grade pedicure treatment that involves the use of cosmetic products rich in botanical elements such as plant extracts. The treatment is painless and is extremely successful in treating foot ailments. A podiatrist qualified in Medi Pedi UK can easily be found on the internet.

Podiatry is the branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower limbs.
A podiatrist is professionally and medically trained to perform the Medi-Pedi treatment.

The Medi Pedi Treatment in the United Kingdom

Medi Pedi treatment in the UK is an established method of finding and addressing foot conditions. Medi Pedi UK, which essentially stands for a medical pedicure, is carried out by a trained foot doctor or foot specialist, also known as a podiatrist. The podiatrist will treat the patient in a sterile environment and identify, diagnose, and treat any foot problems that occur.
The Medi Pedi treatment is in-depth and far more extensive than a regular foot pedicure from a nail or beauty salon. Podiatrists treat diseases like a fungal infection, ingrown toenails, bacterial infections, and warts – all of which would need a professional opinion and advice. A Medi Pedi can identify areas of concern early on and is useful in the prevention of foot impairments. Getting a medical pedicure treatment can avoid diseases in the future.
The best way to look for a foot specialist or a podiatrist is to search ‘foot specialist near me’ or ‘Podiatry near me’ or ‘foot doctor near me’ in your search engine and read the reviews and experience of the foot doctor.

The Procedure

The entire Medi Pedi procedure is relatively comfortable and relaxing for the patients. This process does not involve the use of sharp objects like surgical knives, and the client avoids pain or the anxiety that comes before the treatment or from the thought of pain. A foot specialist or podiatrist will first assess the problem in the feet, then explain the exact problem and the course of the treatment to the client.

How does Medi Pedi work?

The feet are cleaned to remove any dirt, dust, or material.

  1. The toenails are trimmed and filed to thin the nails if needed.
  2. The toenails are debrided (if required).
  3. The process of thinning the nails will remove the outer layer of the nail plate and restore the toenail to its natural form.
  4. A Medi Pedi will make the nails look healthy.
  5. The process of burr will give the toes a cosmetic feel and reduce discomfort.
  6. The podiatrist will also remedy an ingrown nail.
  7. Remove any hard skin found on the foot (if any).
  8. After the prepping phase is complete, the feet will undergo a wax treatment. Wax treatment is where the feet are submerged in a warm wax bath and covered in warm wax. The process will take a maximum of 15 minutes. The warm wax bath will relax the client and will relieve pain for arthritis patients.
  9. After the wax is removed, the feet become soft and tender.
  10. The podiatrist may apply other oils or creams to the feet.
  11. The gentle massage with the oils and the creams will keep the feet hydrated and help the clients with improved blood circulation and restore the movement in the joints.

A Medi Pedi UK is more than a pedicure or pampering of your feet. Your feet are examined by a medically trained professional or foot doctor near me who advises and treats your swollen feet or many other foot conditions. Each treatment is individually based on the need of the patient rather than providing the same treatment for everyone. Taking care of your feet is essential for good health, well-being and can prevent problems from reoccurring.

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How to remove or treat an ingrown toenails infection?

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How to remove or treat an ingrown toenails infection?

An infected ingrown toenail causes slow pain that might be easy to ignore, however, if it remains untreated, your red and swollen toenail will result in unbearable pain.
In this article, you will determine how to treat an ingrown toenails infection, but first, let’s understand what exactly is an ingrown toenails infection?

What is an ingrown toenails infection?

An ingrown toenails infection occurs when the edge of the toenail starts growing into the skin.
If left untreated, ingrown toenails can result in infections that can easily spread into the bone structure of your foot.
The condition can happen to anyone, however, people who are suffering from diabetes are more likely to experience ingrown toenails.

What are the causes of an ingrown toenails infection?

Ingrown toenails infection may occur commonly in patients suffering from diabetes or similar conditions that result in poor blood circulation. However, there are other causes of ingrown toenails as well:

  1. Sports and activities such as football, skiing, dancing.
  2. Trimming your toenail too short.
  3. Toenail injury.
  4. Too tight or too narrow footwear that puts pressure on your toenails.
  5. Curved toenails.
  6. Poor foot hygiene.

Symptoms of an ingrown toenails infection

Like any other serious condition, an ingrown toenail starts with unnoticeable symptoms that escalate with time. It is essential to pay attention to these early warning signs to prevent serious complications.

Some of the common symptoms of an infected ingrown toenails infection include:

  1. Redness or swelling around the nail.
  2. Pain upon touching.
  3. Foul smell.
  4. Warmth around the nail.
  5. Yellow and thick toenails.

Ingrown toenail remedies Amersham

If you have successfully detected this infection’s early warning signs, ingrown toenails treatment is very easy.

The following are some of the ingrown toenail remedies Amersham.

  1. Never try to pull on your infected toenail.
  2. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts in lukewarm water and soak your foot for about 20 minutes to significantly reduce pain.
  3. Apply antifungal or antibiotic cream to the nail and skin around the nail.
  4. Take pain medication to reduce swelling and discomfort.
  5. Always keep your feet dry unless you are soaking for ingrown toenails treatment.
  6. Always wear comfortable shoes.
  7. If the intensity of your pain and discomfort does not alleviate within a few days, then it is best to see a foot doctor by searching for: ‘Ingrown toenails cure near me.

When to see a foot doctor?

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you should visit a foot doctor for your ingrown toenail:

  1. If your condition is worsening even after applying homemade remedies.
  2. If you are having trouble walking due to unbearable pain.
  3. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or similar conditions that results in poor blood circulation.
  4. If the symptom of an ingrown toenails keeps coming back.
  5. If antifungal or antibiotic creams have not worked.

All you have to do is search ‘Ingrown toenails cure near me,’ and you will be able to find the best chiropractor or podiatrist to treat your condition.

How do chiropractors or podiatrists treat an ingrown toenail?

The diagnosis of an ingrown toenail is simple and straightforward. For a proper diagnosis, your chiropractor or podiatrist will take into account your medical history.
After a careful analysis of your medical history, your doctor will start the treatment by applying antibiotic-soaked gauze under your nail to eliminate the infection.
The doctor will also trim the part of your nails that is ingrown. Sometimes, due to the seriousness of the case, your foot doctor might recommend foot surgery as well.

Conclusion

An infected toenail is enough to impact your productivity. By detected the early warning signs of ingrown toenails infection.
You can always apply different homemade treatments, but if you think there is no improvement, it is best to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor or podiatrist.

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Does SWIFT machine treatment work for verrucas on feet?

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Does SWIFT machine treatment work for verrucas on feet?

How long has your verruca been there on your feet? Verrucas are not life-threatening, and they commonly occur, but that does not mean that you should not do anything about it.
Leaving your verruca untreated can result in the verruca getting bigger and more painful. A podiatrist will recommend several ways to get rid of your verruca.
There are many ways to treat a verruca, but now we have an even better treatment option called SWIFT machine treatment.
Continue reading to find out whether SWIFT machine treatment works for verrucas on feet?

What are verrucas?

Verruca is another word used for warts. There is absolutely no difference between a wart and a verruca.
Verrucas and warts can occur on any epidermal surface and transmitted via direct contact. Still, there is a very high possibility of it sharing indirectly through sharing slippers, towels and socks.
Warts generally disappear with time; however, if you have a stubborn verruca on your feet, you can quickly get rid of it using SWIFT machine treatment.

What is SWIFT machine treatment?

Verrucas and warts can disappear over time because the body’s immune system will slowly clear the infection. However, with a stubborn verruca, the healing process is delayed because the immune system may not be alerted to the virus.
SWIFT machine treatment delivers microwave energy to the skin’s affected areas, immediately alerting the immune system to spring into action and remove the infection.

Who can benefit from SWIFT machine treatment Little Chalfont?

Almost anyone with stubborn verrucas on feet can benefit from Swift machine treatment Little Chalfont.
Your podiatrist will carry out a complete diagnosis before treatment. The podiatrist will have to take precautions if you have any of the following:

  • Bandaged foot
  • Low pain threshold
  • Metal pins or plates in the foot or ankle
  • Pacemaker
  • Immune suppression
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Limited healing capacity
  • Children under ten years old

How quickly will it show results?

SWIFT Verruca treatment Amersham will not show immediate results, but you will notice a change to the appearance of the verruca after a couple of days.
The SWIFT machine treatment stimulates the body’s natural immune response, and you must give time to your immune system to get rid of the infection.
SWIFT Verruca treatment Amersham requires two weeks between treatments. The treatment requires patience but is incredibly effective in getting rid of verrucas on feet.

Can the verruca come back?

Once the verruca has disappeared, it usually never returns. Although SWIFT Verruca treatment Amersham is exceptionally beneficial, there is no guarantee that you will not catch a verruca ever.
There is a high possibility of you catching a verruca in the same location because the virus is very infectious, and some people are more prone to the virus than others.

Does SWIFT treatment hurt?

Like any other skin lesions treatment, Swift machine treatment may cause slight discomfort and pain during and after the treatment.
Although everyone has a different pain threshold, people who have undergone SWIFT treatment explain feeling similar to being pricked by a needle, though; some people may find it more painful.
If it is any consolation, SWIFT treatment only lasts for up to 5 seconds at a time, meaning the discomfort will only last for a couple of seconds.
Depending on the number of treatments and your pain threshold, your podiatrist can administer a local anaesthetic to numb the entire foot.

Conclusion

When the skin gets an infection, some people’s immune systems respond and eliminate it immediately, while others do not, and the verruca will form.
Having verrucas on feet does not mean that your immune system is not efficient. The necessary immune response can still happen at any time.
Your GP will advise you to leave your verruca alone, and it will go away in a couple of weeks.
Although verrucas are not life-threatening, leaving them untreated can result in the verruca getting bigger and more painful.
A foot specialist or a podiatrist will recommend SWIFT machine treatment to stimulate your body’s immune response to get rid of the virus as soon as possible.

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What can I expect from a foot clinic Amersham on the first visit?

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What can I expect from a foot clinic Amersham on the first visit?

The feet are one of the most neglected parts of the body. Perhaps it is because they are far away from the eyes or we take them for granted.
The majority of foot problems go unnoticed. By the time you start experiencing symptoms, the pain in your foot might have gotten worse.
As soon as you notice a problem in your foot you should visit a foot clinic Amersham to see a podiatrist.
Visiting a podiatrist for the first time can be exciting and stressful at the same time. In this article, we will go through what to expect during your first visit to your podiatrist.

  • Medical history

    On your first visit to foot clinic Amersham, the podiatrist will obtain and study your medical history. They will identify areas of concern that could worsen your foot problems.
    Your medical history will include the following:

    • Family history
    • Current medical problems
    • Allergies and medications
    • Past surgeries, especially foot surgery
    • Health habits

    This step is essential because some medical conditions like diabetes or past foot surgery will require alternative treatments.

  • Foot examination

    After a thorough assessment of your medical history, your podiatrist will move on to your foot examination.
    The podiatrist will examine your feet and lower legs to evaluate your blood flow, strength, and sensation.
    Your podiatrist will also pay close attention to your bone structure and skin condition.
    They will also identify any deformities such as muscle weakness, ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, verruca, etc. Some conditions require immediate actions, such as corn removal and verruca treatment.
    Furthermore, your podiatrist might also go for a Doppler foot assessment. A Doppler foot assessment is an ultrasound scan of the muscles, tendons and will not hurt.
    The test will gauge the blood flow in your lower legs. This test is a great way to identify poor blood circulation as it can lead to all sorts of foot problems.
    Suppose you have visited the podiatrist because of lower limb pain. In that case, your podiatrist might ask you to walk the length of the room to help them assess how your ankles and feet move.
    Thus, you must wear comfortable footwear along with your exercise shoes for your first appointment.

  • Treatment and recommendations

    Based on your medical history and thorough foot examination, your podiatrist will begin appropriate treatment.
    Your treatment might include foot surgery, corn removal, special footwear, verruca treatment, or physical therapy.
    In some cases, your podiatrist will refer you to another specialist. For example, if there is a problem with your blood flow, then a vascular specialist might need to assess your case.
    Similarly, in many cases, your podiatrist will collaborate with your doctor to ensure that your foot problems are treated.
    Your podiatrist will not just treat your foot problems; they may also recommend some lifestyle changes that can impact your feet. These recommendations include quitting cigarettes, controlling diabetes, changing footwear, proper exercise, and eating a healthy diet.

    Conclusion

    Your feet are one of the most overlooked parts of your body. Any delay in treating foot problems can worsen your conditions. Don’t let that happen, and book your first appointment with foot clinic Amersham.
    It does not matter if you are young, old, or any age in between; a podiatrist can treat anyone, including children.
    After reading this article, the thought of visiting a podiatrist for the first time should not be stressful or cause any anxiety; it should be the opposite.

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    Why is diabetic foot care important for people with diabetes?

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    Why is diabetic foot care important for people with diabetes?

    Diabetes occurs when the body fails to make insulin or does not use it the way it should.

    Diabetes can be dangerous to the feet because it causes severe nerve damage that can reduce adequate blood circulation to the feet.
    In untreated and extreme cases, a foot amputation may be the last resort for diabetic patients.
    If you have diabetes and wish to prevent this from happening to you, you must understand the importance of diabetic foot care management.

    In this article, we will go through:

    • Why is diabetic foot care critical?
    • Signs of foot problems
    • Do’s and don’ts of diabetic foot care
    • Importance of toenail care
    • Footwear tips for diabetic patients
    • Final thoughts

    Why is diabetic foot care critical?

    Diabetic patients suffer from nerve damage and blood circulation problems, because of which they are prone to infections and other serious foot problems.
    By taking all the necessary precautions, one can prevent severe consequences like a foot amputation.
    Responsible foot care routine includes:

      • Regular medical examinations
      • Regular foot checkups with a podiatrist (Google: ‘Foot Clinic near me’)
      • Monitoring blood sugar levels daily
      • Regular exercise
      • Eating a balanced diet

    Signs of foot problems

    It is essential to identify and diagnose early warning signs and symptoms of foot problems, like:

    • loss of sensation to touch, heat, or cold
    • burning or painful feet
    • changes to the colour of your feet
    • variations to the shape of your feet
    • loss of hair on the feet, toes, and lower legs
    • thickening of the toenails
    • the appearance of ulcers, red spots, sores, blisters, ingrown toenails, or infected corns.

    If you observe these early warning signs, contact Diabetic foot care management Bucks immediately. Any delays would result in critical consequences.

    Dos and don’ts of diabetic foot care

    Dos:

    Inspect your feet

    • It is essential to regularly inspect your feet and toes, including the tops, sides, heels, and soles.
    • If you cannot physically examine your feet, you can ask someone to do it for you or visit a foot clinic near me.
    • If you observe any redness, sores, cuts, or bruises, contact Diabetic foot care management Bucks immediately.

    Wash your feet

    • Wash your feet regularly with lukewarm water and mild soap.
    • Washing your feet with hot water and harsh soap can be damaging for your skin.
    • It is also important to be gentle with your feet while cleaning them.
    • Make sure to check the water temperature using your hands or elbows.
    • Your diabetes can cause your legs to lose sensation, making it difficult to check the water temperature with your feet.

    Dry your feet

    • Keep your feet dry. Infections occur in moist areas, so make sure to pat your feet to dry them.
    • Do not forget to dry the area between your toes as well.

    Moisturise dry skin

    • If the skin on your feet looks and feels dry, apply lotion or oils such as coconut oil.
    • Do not use oil or cream between your toes as it may cause a fungal infection.

    Cut nails carefully

    • Podiatrists advise cutting your toenails straight across while filing the edges.
    • It would be best not to cut your toenails too short because this could cause ingrown toenails.
    • For further questions regarding your nails, feel free to contact Foot Care Beaconsfield.

    Don’ts:

    • Use antiseptic products as they tend to burn the skin. Avoid using them on your feet without your podiatrist’s approval.
    • Never use a hot water bottle, electric blanket, or heating pad on your feet.
    • Avoid walking barefoot even inside the home because it can cause injuries that can later become infected, so diabetic patients should wear socks to avoid injuries.
    • Safeguard your feet from extreme heat and cold.
    • Do not remove warts, corns, or calluses on your own.
    • Never use razor blades, chemical wart removers, or callus removers. Book an appointment with Foot Care Beaconsfield.
    • Don’t stand in one position for a long time.
    • Don’t sit with your legs crossed or cross your ankles.

    Importance of toenail care

    • Routine toenail care is also essential for those with diabetes due to nerve and blood circulation problems in the feet. Not taking proper care of your toenail can be unsafe.
    • Proper toenail care can help you avoid getting a foot sore or an ulcer.

    The following are a few tips that will help you take care of your toenails:

    • Wash your feet before trimming your toenails because this will make your nails soft.
    • Cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.
    • Avoid cutting into the corners. Just file the edges to make them smooth.
    • Do not cut toenails too short.
    • Have your toenails trimmed by a podiatrist if your nails are thick, yellow or if you have a toe infection.

    Footwear tips for diabetic patients

    • Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes.
    • Buy shoes made from breathable materials like leather, suede, or canvas.
    • Avoid wearing flip-flops, thong sandals, high heels, or open-toe shoes.
    • Wear shoes that can have laces or Velcro for adjustment.
    • Inspect the inside of your shoes regularly for tears that may cause irritation or shoe bite.

    Final thoughts

    If you take good care of your feet, then many foot problems are avoided. Report any cuts, corns, sores, infections, calluses, bruises, or foot pain to your podiatrist.

    Remember that foot-related problems can quickly worsen if they remain untreated, especially if you have diabetes, so it is essential to seek medical attention right away.
    Diabetic patients should get their feet checked at least once a year by a podiatrist to detect problems as soon as they arrive. All you have to do is search “Foot Clinic near me,” and schedule your appointment.

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    Should you see a podiatrist for pain in your ankles?

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    Who are podiatrists, and what do they do?

    A podiatrist is not a Medical Doctor (M.D.), but they attend four years in podiatry school.
    Podiatrists specialise in ankle and feet disorders. General podiatry treats foot other irregularities such as:

    • over-pronation,
    • flat feet,
    • high or low arches,
    • balance-related problems
    • pain in the ankle and foot.

    Podiatrists also diagnose and treat:

    • blisters,
    • foot fungi,
    • corns,
    • heel pain,
    • toenail problems,
    • bunions,
    • foot-related issues associated with diabetes and health conditions.
      A certified Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) can also perform surgery on the ankles and feet.

    Conditions Podiatrists Treat

    1. Fractures and sprains
      A general podiatry service commonly includes treating fractures and sprains in the feet. Injuries can occur at any time from accidents, sports, running, dancing, and so forth.
      Serious injuries can involve broken bones or damaged muscles, causing severe pain and leading to severe complications if left untreated.
      A podiatrist will conduct a physical examination along with an X-ray or CT scan to determine the nature of your injury and build an effective treatment plan.
    1. Flat feet and hammertoes
      Flat feet can lead to unbearable pain in the leg, knee, and foot. This condition can ultimately create mobility challenges if not properly treated.
      Although flat feet generally appear in young children, it may be progressive and may intensify later in life.
      Hammertoes are a deformity of joints located in the toes. Like flat feet, this condition is prevalent in kids, but it can intensify later due to poor-fitting shoes.
      These conditions may seem like mild deformities, but it can quickly become more rigid and painful if left untreated.
      Since they are progressive conditions, it requires immediate attention and diagnosis from a podiatrist.
      These conditions are very treatable.
      The treatment typically includes physical therapy, special fitting shoes, anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotic devices, and surgical corrections if necessary.
    1. Nail disorders
      An ingrown toenail is a condition when a corner of a nail grows into the toe’s skin instead of straight out.
      Initially, an ingrown toenail causes minor discomfort and inflammation. However, it could intensify into severe infection and inflammation.
      Many say that ingrown toenails are a hereditary condition; however, other factors can contribute to this development.
      Athletes are also prone to developing nail disorders.
      Treat an ingrown toenail promptly as it reduces the chances of surgery in the future.
      If you think you are dealing with a nail disorder, you must immediately contact your local general podiatry services.
    1. Diabetes
      Diabetes is a medical condition where the body either doesn’t make insulin or fails to use it in the way it should. Diabetes can harm the nerves in the legs or feet, creating a hurdle in transporting enough blood to the feet.
      Many diabetic patients end up having a foot amputation by not correctly following diabetic foot care management routines. To prevent a diabetic foot amputation, you must seek help from a podiatrist or chiropodist Amersham.
    1. Arthritis
      Arthritis commonly occurs in the toes, foot or ankle joints, making it very difficult for the patient to walk and perform everyday tasks.
      While there is no proven cure for arthritis, visiting podiatry services bucks can help slow down the progression.
    1. Heel pain
      Heel pain is one of the most commonly diagnosed foot ailment that is treated by podiatry services bucks.
      Causes of heel pain may include Plantar Fasciitis, stress fractures, tendon, inflammation of the Achilles, arthritis, tumours, or nerve irritation. Regardless of what has caused heel pain, the discomfort and pain can be unbearable and requires an immediate diagnosis by an experienced podiatrist or chiropodist Amersham.
    1. Neuromas and Metatarsalgia
      Neuromas cause intense burning due to the swollen nerves in the feet. This condition is excruciating, and the symptoms will worsen as the nerve enlarges. Women who wear narrow shoes are particularly prone to this nerve condition.
      Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes chronic pain in the ball of the foot. This condition generally occurs from participation in sports or from wearing tight-fitting shoes.
      A podiatrist is capable of diagnosing and treating these conditions effectively and will prevent them from developing again.

    Reasons why you should see a Podiatrist

    We often take our feet for granted. We need our feet to get about, drive, run, play sports and countless other activities.
    Research suggests that an average 50-year-old has walked more than 75,000 miles.
    Your feet include many small bones, ligaments, and tendons that work in a synchronised way to work correctly.
    If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you must contact a podiatrist:

    • Foot and ankle pain
    • Discolored toenails
    • Growths like warts and other infection
    • Scaling on your soles

    What to Expect at the Podiatrist?

    Visits to a podiatrist are quite similar to any other doctor. They will inquire about your medical history and whether you have been through any surgeries or not.
    They will also observe the way you stand and walk.
    Based on your condition, the podiatrist might suggest special shoes, orthotics, or physical therapy for the pain.

    Final Thoughts

    Suppose you are experiencing chronic foot or ankle pain. In that case, you should not waste any time in scheduling an appointment with your local general podiatry service.
    Podiatrists are highly skilled professionals who will use different treatment methods to diagnose and reduce your pain. They will also recommend lifestyle modifications to make so you can enjoy a pain-free life.
    Keep in mind that many foot-related problems are progressive, and you should not leave them untreated.