Podiatry Self Help Guide
This self-help guide tells you how to deal with most of the common problems
that people have with their feet, without having to see the podiatrist.
Simple foot care and correctly fitting shoes are the best way to make sure that
your feet stay healthy.
So how can I help myself?
Wash and dry your feet every day
Wear a clean pair of socks/stockings
Wear the right shoes for the job and your feet won’t let you down!
What are the common problems?
Ingrown toenails
Often people have nails that ‘dig in’ at the sides, usually as a result of wearing
tight shoes for many years. The problem is then made worse if you try to remove
the painful part of the nail. Usually all that is required to cure this problem is to
change your footwear to shoes that don’t crush your toes and letting the nails
grow until you can see the corner.
If you have blood or fluid weeping from the side of your nail or a wet scab, this
usually means you have an ingrown nail. Tell us on your application form, and we
can arrange for you to have a small operation to cure it.
Fungal infections (Athlete’s foot)
Fungal infections love warm, dark, moist places, such as between toes. These
infections are very common and easily treated with an over-the-counter cream
from your local pharmacy. Remember the fungus also likes the inside of your
shoes, so it is important to stop re-infection by letting your shoes dry out after you
have worn them (try putting them outside on a sunny or breezy day). Clean, dry
socks are essential too!
Fungal nail infections are a different matter. These can be cured by using
antifungal preparations that are available on prescription from your GP or over
the counter at your Pharmacy
Foot strain
From time to time we can put extra strain on our feet, by being overweight,
walking a lot further than we are used to, or carrying heavy loads.
This can result in pains usually in the arches of the feet, which can take a long
time to `settle down’, (usually because we don’t give them time or help to
recover).
If you are suffering with this, ask yourself why?
Are your shoes suitable? (see the good shoe guide leaflet )
Have you done anything to bring it on?
Are you overweight?
Given time, sensible precautions, including weight loss, footwear, and rest, foot
strain should improve.
Verrucas
Verrucas are warts on the feet, and are a normal childhood/young adult
condition. They are not usually painful, and do not require any treatment.
Verrucas are caused by a virus and if left alone your body will cure them, but this
can take several months.
If your verruca becomes tender, rub it down with a file or emery board.
You can still go to the swimming baths with a verruca.
Hard skin (callus)
Hard skin can develop anywhere on your feet where persistent rubbing occurs.
It is the skin’s normal reaction to friction and is often painless. The most common
areas are round the heels, on the balls of the feet and edges of toes. The most
likely causes are ill-fitting shoes or dry skin.
If you have hard skin, make sure you are wearing shoes that are the correct size
and are not going to chafe your feet (see the good shoe guide leaflet).
Use a file or emery board to gently rub the hard skin and then apply moisturising
cream. Do this every day after washing your feet.
Corns
Corns are areas of very hard skin caused by persistent pressure, usually from
shoes that are too tight. The most common areas are on top of, or in between,
our toes and occasionally on the soles of the feet. Corns can be very painful.
If you have corns make sure your shoes are not too tight around the toes (see
the good shoe guide leaflet)
If your corns are on the tops of your toes or on the soles of your feet rub them
with a file or emery board and then apply moisturising cream. Do this every day
after you wash your feet.
Do not use ‘corn cures’ on your corns and hard skin!
These contain acids that can do a lot of damage if not used correctly.
For more information on your feet and footwear try:
NHS Choices
NHS Direct