Read about calluses and corns, diabetic footcare, toenails, and warts and cysts. Understanding these common foot issues is the first step toward healthy, pain-free feet.
1Calluses and Corns
Calluses and corns are thick, and hardening, layers of skin that develop on your feet due to repetitive pressure and friction. Both calluses and corns are very common, and can easily be treated by Chiropodists and Podiatrists at our clinic. Your clinician may shave down some of the thick, hardening skin in the affected area, or suggest ways to relieve pressure and reduce friction so that the callus or corn can hopefully disappear on its own.
Symptoms of Calluses & Corns:
- Compact, dead skin
- Compact patch of dark skin with a dense core
- Reddened, tender area of skin
2Diabetic Footcare
It is very common for those with diabetes to suffer from foot issues; that is why it is so important that people with diabetes come in for regular diabetic foot care appointments! People with diabetes are less likely to feel foot injuries - such as cuts or blisters - when they occur. This is because diabetes can cause poor blood flow or circulation to the legs and feet, as well as nerve damage. It can also make these injuries more difficult to heal. Even small injuries can become seriously infected or lead to other complications if they go unnoticed and untreated.
Daily Diabetic Foot Care
It is important to maintain a healthy foot care routine, and good blood sugar, to prevent serious foot issues! To keep on top of your foot health at home, it is a great idea to create a foot care kit.
Your Foot Care Kit Should Contain:
- Lotion
- Nail file/clippers
- A hand mirror
Daily Foot Care Routine:
- Wash your feet in warm water
- Dry them carefully, especially between the toes
- Thoroughly check for cracks, cuts, blisters, etc. (using a handheld mirror)
- Clean cuts/scratches with mild soap and bandage appropriately
- Trim toenails straight across and file sharp edges
- Apply lotion to heels and soles (do NOT apply between toes)
- Wear clean socks and well-fitting shoes daily
Do's and Don'ts of Diabetic Foot Care
✓ DO:
- Elevate your feet while sitting to promote blood flow
- Buy shoes late in the afternoon (when feet swell slightly) to ensure a comfortable fit
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Exercise regularly to promote circulation
- Inspect your feet daily for injuries or temperature changes
✗ DON'T:
- Soak your feet (this can dry out your skin)
- Go barefoot, even indoors
- Smoke (decreases healing and circulation, significantly increasing amputation risk)
- Put heating pads or hot water bottles on your feet (wear warm socks instead)
- Use un-prescribed medications to treat warts and corns
- Wear anything tight around your legs (tight socks, knee-highs)
- Cross your legs or sit for long periods of time
3Toenail Health
It is important to maintain good toenail health, and part of that is keeping an eye out for any issues, such as fungus or ingrowns. Ignoring toenail issues like nail fungus can lead to foot pain, as well as serious consequences, including:
- Spread of fungus to other nails or skin
- Widespread bacterial infection
- Loss of nails
Conditions such as these are easily treatable. That is why it is important to see a specialist before a simple problem becomes a much more serious one.
Symptoms
Nail Fungus Symptoms:
- Distorted in shape
- Thickened
- Brittle, ragged or crumbly
- Whitish to yellow-brown discolouration
- Strange or unpleasant odour
- Dark colour (from debris buildup under the nail)
Ingrown Toenail Symptoms:
- Redness around the toenail
- Swelling of the toe around the toenail
- Infection of tissue surrounding the toenail
- Pain and/or tenderness along one, or both, sides of the nail
Prevention Tips
- Trim your toenails straight across.
- Maintain good foot hygiene by keeping nails short (not too short), dry, and clean.
- Wear breathable socks.
- Wear protective footwear.
- Check your feet regularly (especially important for those with diabetes).
4Warts and Cysts
Warts and cysts are common, and can be treated in-clinic by our specialists. Plantar warts most often appear on the heels, or other weight bearing areas of your feet. The virus that causes these warts enters your body through small cuts, cracks, and other weak parts on the bottoms of your feet. Cysts, such as the ganglion cyst, can develop along joints and tendons. They are generally round or oval lumps filled with a jelly-like fluid. They can range from the size of a pea to about an inch (2.5cm) in diameter, and they can often be painful if they rest on a nerve.
Symptoms
Plantar Warts:
- Small growth/lesion forming on the bottom of the foot (fleshy, rough, or grainy)
- Callus forming over a well-defined area
- Lesion interferes with the normal pattern of skin lines/ridges
- Pain or tenderness while walking/standing
- Wart seeds (black pinpoints of clotted blood vessels)
Ganglion Cysts:
- Always occur near a joint (most often on ankle and top of foot)
- Size ranges from very small to the size of a golf ball
- Can be soft or hard
- Move freely under the skin