Approximately 75% of the Adult population have foot problems.
The 10 most common foot problems we see at the Complementary Health Care Clinic are:
Long Toe Nails
Many people just can’t cut their own toe nails. This may be because they can’t reach their own feet because of mobility problems such as arthritis of back injuries. Other people have thick toenails which they cannot cut themselves because their scissors or nail clippers are not man enough for the job. Hence they come and see Robin, our Chiropodist/Podiatrist to have them cut properly. If left untrimmed for long periods of time, long toe nails can break or cut into the adjacent toes and they can be very uncomfortable when walking.
Thick or Fungal Toenails
Some nails become thick and unsightly because of fungal infections. They can become brown, yellow or crumbly. Similarly nails can be damaged by trauma or psoriasis and so we thin them down to a manageable size. A proper diagnosis is needed to recommend any anti fungal preparations.
Hard Skin
This is very common. It is usually caused by pressure or friction. If you have a manual job you may be prone to getting callouses on your hands. If you are on your feet a lot or have prominent joints you can get callouses on your feet. Robin removes these and can advise on solutions to helping you change the way you walk to prevent or minimise the problem. Solutions include bespoke orthotics.
Cracked Skin
Cracks in the skin are called Fissures. Often they appear on heels. They can be very painful especially if they pop open and go into the healthy skin below the overlying callous. People who habitually wear sandals or backless shoes are very prone to these cracks as the increase in friction causes the hard skin to grow. The heels then lose their moisture and elasticity becoming very dry and cracked. I reduce the hard skin, sealing the cracks if needed and advise on a moisturising regimen to improve your skin’s condition.
Corns
These are areas of hard skin which grow into the skin. They can occur anywhere on the feet but particularly on the toes and underneath the ball of the foot. As they can press in on the nerve endings they can hurt a lot. Corns in-between the toes and underneath the nails can be particularly painful. Robin successfully treats hundreds of corns every year.
Ingrowing Toenails
This is where a splinter of nail has grown up and presses into or punctures the skin at the side of the nail. They can be caused due to damage, poor nail cutting or picking the nails and leaving a sharp piece sticking in to the skin. They can also occur when someone has curvature of the nails. Ingrowing toenails can often become infected and very painful. These should be treated professionally.
Athlete’s foot
This is a generic term encompassing several fungal skin infections. You don’t have to be an athlete to get a fungal skin infection of your feet! Fungal infections thrive best in a warm, damp environment such as the foot. Commonly fungus can occur in-between the toes of underneath the foot. Correct diagnosis is very helpful. We can advise on what treatment is effective to get rid of your particular fungus.
Verrucae
A verruca is a wart in the foot. It is caused when skin cells become infected with the human papilloma virus. Verrucae can appear singly or grouped together (like a mosaic). When they occur underneath the foot they grow in, because the body’s weight is pressing down on them. If they are not underneath the foot they can appear as a lump on the skin – such as warts on the hands. Verrucae are contagious. They can be spread by contact with the virus in places such as gyms and swimming pools. If left untreated they can become quite large and painful before you realise what they are. You might think at first that your verucca is a lump of hard skin. At the Complementary Health Care Clinic we offer a range of treatments for verrucae. This can be from having them frozen using Nitrous Oxide by Robin, to using Homeopathy off the shelf – or seeing a qualified homeopath (Sue Saunders, Tricia Stephenson or Charlotte Evans). We effectively treat many hundreds of verrucae throughout the year.
Heel Pain
This can be frequently due to Plantar Faciitis. Typically a person has pain when they put their foot on the ground after rest and then it can disperse throughout the day, returning again after rest. This can be because of an over-use injury. The Plantar Fascia is tissue which goes underneath the foot and preserves the integrity of the foot arch. Micro-tears can form in it and inflammation can occur around it. This hurts. For many foot pains I offer Orthotics (arch supports) which are designed to alter the way the body weight-bears on the feet, making them more comfortable. We can also offer Physiotherapy for foot pains by our Physiotherapist Hannah Marsall and Chiropractic by our McTimony Chiropractor Laura Battle.
Diabetes
This is a disease where the body does not regulate the blood-sugar levels in it. Sadly uncontrolled Diabetes can cause breakdown of many of the body’s systems. This can leave people susceptible to infections and be slow to heal. One of the first places Diabetes becomes evident is in the feet. This is because Peripheral Neuropathy can occur. This can be a reduction of sensation in the feet. Thus a person with Diabetes may be unaware that they have damaged their foot until an infection has set in. Hence, it is important that Diabetics have their feet checked regularly to alert them to and treat any problems which may be developing. It is also very important that people with Diabetes do not do any DIY foot treatments if they think they have a problem.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Robin on the number shown below. Treatments are offered on Tuesdays 9am-7pm & Wednesdays 9am-6pm.
Author: Robin Crawley, BSc(Hons), FSSCh, DipPodMed, MBChA. Chiropodist and Podiatrist.
The Complementary Heath Care Clinic, 34 Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1AX. Tel: 01603-665173.
