Foot health care to suit you

When the skin dries out, hard skin forms. Extensive dry skin may lead to fissures caused by the skin splitting (often on the heel). This can be treated in the early stages with regular moisturising, but may need to be removed.

Caused by intermittent, compressive stress over a bony prominence. Common sites are the ball of the foot and between the toes. They are often painful and need to be removed.

A painful build-up of hard skin caused by friction or pressure, usually appearing in defined patches on the foot. Common sites are the ball and heel.

When the toenail pushes against the surrounding tissue, causing pain. In some cases the nail can break through the soft tissue of the toe with the risk of infection. The ingrowing edge can often be cut away, allowing the nail to regrow in the correct direction.

There are typically two types of fungal infection. Athlete’s Foot affects the skin. Fungal Nail Infection lies between the nail and the toe.

Athlete’s Foot can cause dry, itchy skin and/or painful splits, both between the toes and on the surface of the foot. It is usually easily treated with an over the counter medication from the chemist and generally clears up in 2-3 days.

Fungal Nail Infection is most commonly caused by the same fungus as Athlete’s Foot and often affects the edge of one nail first. The infection can spread across the whole nail and may affect other toes. The infection can discolour and thicken the nail and cause crumbling to the underside.

If the Lacuna Method™ (described above) is not for you I can still help. The nail can be trimmed, shaped and reduced while topical or oral treatment takes effect in order to avoid incidental damage to other nails.

These can be thinned to prevent discomfort from close-fitting shoes and to limit the extent of the thickening.

These are a type of wart found on the sole of the foot. They are caused by a virus and are often painful. Verrucae are more common when the body’s immune system is run down which is why they are frequently found in children and people with multiple underlying health issues.

I currently offer simple management of verrucae, which involves paring back the callus that builds up around them to relieve the pain that can cause. If you feel you need a more proactive approach treatments such as Verrutop, needling, freezing (Cryotherapy) and microwave therapy (Swift) are available. I do not offer these but they are provided by Podiatrists and other Foot Health Practitioners (FHPs) who will be able to advise which of them will suit you best.

Over the counter treatments are also available from your chemist. Ask the Pharmacist what they recommend as they should be up to date on what is available.

Please note that internet searches will suggest various homemade options such as duct tape and nail varnish. I should point out that none of these are evidence-based or proven. What works for one person may not work for another, and could cause problems. Please inform yourself of any risks before you follow internet advice, even from seemingly trustworthy sources.

NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) currently advise only treating verrucae if they are causing problems or pain. They also no longer recommend waterproof socks at swimming pools. More information is available here.

I can travel to the following areas in and around North Bristol and South Gloucestershire:

Ashley Down, Bishopston, Bradley Stoke, Brentry, Cheswick Village, Clifton, Eastfield, Filton, Henleaze, Horfield, Lockleaze, Montpelier, Northville, Patchway, Redland, Sneyd Park, Southmead, St Agnes, St Andrew’s, St Paul’s, St Werburgh’s, Stoke Bishop, Stoke Gifford, Westbury-on-Trym.

I accept payment by debit and credit card if network coverage allows. I also accept cash, cheque and bank transfer.

24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations; otherwise the full appointment fee will be charged.

I am a foot health practitioner rather than a chiropodist or podiatrist – what is the difference?

‘Podiatrist’ and ‘chiropodist’ mean the same thing but ‘podiatrist’ is the modern term for someone who has undertaken a 3- or 4-year degree in foot health. Although ‘chiropodist’ is falling out of favour it is still used as a term that the general public are familiar with. Both titles are protected by law and all podiatrists and chiropodists will be registered with the Health Care Professionals Council.

Podiatry comes from the Greek word pod, meaning foot, while chiropody means hand (chiro) and foot (pod). As podiatry is a more accurate description of the work undertaken it is the terminology now used throughout the profession.

Podiatry degrees will cover general foot maintenance, biomechanics, orthotics, podopaediatrics (lower-limb issues in children), surgery, high-risk patient management and more.

Foot health practitioners will have studied on an approved course and will provide general foot maintenance to a high standard. If they believe your requirements are beyond their skills they have a duty to discuss this with you and offer a referral to a podiatrist if possible.

Whoever tends to your feet should have suitable insurance, be DBS checked and use appropriately sterilised equipment, all of which I do.