Corns
Corns are small, often circular areas of embedded thickened skin that can be painful. They usually have a clearly defined centre, called a nucleus, that can be hard or soft depending on the location, and are caused by continued and excessive friction and pressure. In many cases the cause must be corrected before the return of a corn can improve. Hard corns can feel as though you are walking on a pebble due to the centre and requires professional help.
Callus
Callus is a section of skin that has becomes thick because of friction, pressure, or irritation. It generally appears hard and yellow, and can cause a burning sensation and often discomfort. Pain from callus tends to be a wider spread sensation rather than the intense pain.
It is most often found on the ball of the foot and around the edges of the heels and is improved with the daily use of a specialised foot cream.
Verrucae
Verrucae are benign growths on the skin that are vascular in nature and can often be mistaken for corns. They are caused by a virus known as the human papilloma virus (HPV). There is a considerable variation in the appearance of verrucae. They are contagious but the risk of catching them is relatively low.
There is no proven effective treatment that works in every case. Some treatments work for some people whilst for others it will have no effect. The good news is that most verrucae will just disappear of their own accord with no treatment – although this may take up to a few years.
Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail is an extremely painful condition. It occurs when the edge of a nail penetrates the surrounding tissues of the toe and causes swelling, inflammation and infection. Ingrown toenails are commonly caused by poorly fitting shoes, but they can also be caused by improper trimming or by trauma.
The treatment of ingrown toe nails is initially centred on conventional management to encourage the nail to grow beyond the point of pain. Frequently ingrown toenails can be persistent and in some cases become infected. In such cases nail surgery with a Podiatrist is recommended.
Fungal nails
Fungal Nail Infection is a very common condition found in many people of different ages.
When a nail is infected it will often change colour at the site of the infection, and can appear white, yellow or brown. An infected nail may become brittle, begin to lift and will look unpleasant but not usually painful. The nail can also become thickened and discoloured due the damage of the infection.
It is usual for a fungal infection to start in one nail, however, it can easily spread to the other nails therefore important to seek treatment and manage foot hygiene well.
Foot Care Advice
Wash feet daily and dry well
Use a foot file regularly to reduce hard skin.
Use a foot cream daily to keep skin supple.
Wear the correct fitting shoes to avoid pressure and discomfort.
Avoid corn plaster and always seek professional advice where needed.