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| Information for Patients |
Athletes Foot
What
is it? Athlete’s foot is
caused by a fungal infection most commonly affecting the skin between
the toes but it can affect anywhere on the foot. What are the
symptoms? These can include, macerated white looking skin with fissures, blistering, weeping and redness. The area typically itches when warm. Sometimes the skin
looks dry, red and flaky. Where do fungal
infections come from? Commonly; other
people with fungal infections spread the infection unknowingly during
their use of communal bathing areas and gym floors etc. Infected skin cells
that are shed both barefoot; in our footwear and socks contain fungal
spores. They are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Our shoes provide
a warm, moist, dark environment that is perfect for fungal infections
to thrive, this is one of the reasons athletes foot is more common in
the summer months. Fungal infections
are commonly picked up in communal areas, such as swimming pools, showers,
and gyms. Infections can also
be passed on amongst the family. IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT YOU OBTAIN A DIAGNOSIS FROM YOUR LOCAL CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST BEFORE
YOU PURCHASE ANY REMEDIES. Minor fungal infections
can usually be treated with topical preparations which are available
from your Podiatrist these may include: -
What can I do to prevent re-infection?
What causes
dry skin?
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What causes
cracked heels?
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How do I treat
my cracked heels?
- Use a good emollient such as those already mentioned under “dry skin”
- Avoid sling back shoes/sandals
- Avoid backless footwear
- Always use a
sun block cream during the summer months to avoid sun damage
If a podiatrist
has advised you that a fungal infection is present you will be advised
on the best treatment to use.
IF WITH EITHER
DRY SKIN OR FISSURES AND CRACKED HEELS, IF THERE IS NO IMPROVEMENT WITH
THE TREATMENT THAT YOU ARE USING CONTACT A CHIROPODIST/ PODIATRIST FOR
FURTHER ADVISE AND AN APPOINTMENT.
What is a
verruca?
Verrucae are caused
by the HPV virus, and are a type of wart.
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What do they look like? Infection can lead to a small, dark puncture mark that may later turn grey or brown with black dots in the centre. Where there
is little or no pressure on areas of your foot the wart may have
a cauliflower appearance that is raised instead of flat. |
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How can you
get Verrucae?
The verruca spreads
by shedding infected skin from one foot to another by way of the floor.
Common locations are swimming pools, communal showers in gyms, school
gym floors, mats, baths, etc.,
Who is commonly
affected by Verruca?
Verrucae tend to
affect children (school age) and young adults who frequently attend
gyms, and swimming facilities.
I think my
child has a verruca what can I do about it?
ALWAYS OBTAIN
A DIAGNOSIS OF THE LESION BEFORE YOU CHOSE TO SELF TREAT, YOUR LOCAL
PODIATRIST/CHIROPODIST CAN HELP YOU WITH THIS.
In children, unless
the verruca is painful or is spreading it is advisable not to treat
it as verrucae tend to disappear on their own in around 6 – 12 months.
Occasionally verrucae may spread throughout the foot and the family and cause a multiple problem that is hard to eradicate.
If this occurs treatment is advisable.
I want to treat
my Verruca myself what are the best products to buy?
Option to self treat
is available with a range of good treatments such as:-
- Posalfilin
- Wart-Off
- Duofilm Solution
- Chemist own preparation
(Ask your pharmacist)
The best treatment for you depends on:-
- Position of verruca
- Size of verruca
- Occupation/Hobbies
- ** Medical history
**
To get the best
treatment for you contact your podiatrist for an appointment and further
advice.
Always follow the
guidelines and instructions given on the leaflet enclosed with the product
you buy.
!!Some preparations may not be suitable for children!!
Some preparations/treatment may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions
ALWAYS OBTAIN A DIAGNOSIS OF THE LESION BEFORE YOU CHOSE TO SELF TREAT, YOUR LOCAL PODIATRIST/CHIROPODIST CAN HELP YOU WITH THIS.
How do I file
down my verruca?
- It is advisable
to use an emery board for filing your verruca as this can be thrown
away afterwards and they are relatively cheap to buy in packets of
10 or 20.
- During filing
try to lay out a plastic bag underneath your foot to catch the loose
particles of skin. This will help to prevent further infections.
Be determined!
Follow all the instructions carefully and regularly and don’t get disheartened!
If further problems
occur and the verruca is getting larger, painful, multiplying or spreading
within the family please contact me on 0424 890323
I keep getting
verrucae, how can I prevent them from coming back?
- Use a verruca
sock to cover the foot during swimming.
- Have individual
towels or dry the affected foot with a piece of kitchen towel.
- Try to keep
the area covered with a dressing or plaster.
If you opt for treatment,
it may also be worth implementing these tips: -
- Changing your
shoes if you have previously worn them barefoot.
- Chuck out the
bath mat for a new one, and then keep the verruca covered with a
waterproof plaster.
- Cover any cut
or blister on either foot with a waterproof plaster before swimming
or using communal showers/gyms.
- Where flip
flops in communal showers.
- Where footwear such as sandals or shoes around the house.
Many of us suffer
from that repeating trouble of chilblains each time winter comes around
again.
If your one of those
sufferers and once again either your GAP or Chiropodist/Podiatrist has
diagnosed this problem as chilblains then here are a few Do’s and Don'ts
for chilblains.
DO!
- Wrap up warm
- Where trousers
and tights
- Where a good
soled
walking shoe or boot.
- Make sure your
footwear fits properly – shoes that are too
tight can
constrict the blood flow to your toes in cold weather
- Wear warm socks
- If your body
is kept warm your feet are more likely to be warm
- Try to keep
a small 1-3mm gap between your foot and the sides of your shoes
a thin layer of air inside your shoe insulates better
- Ask your podiatrist/chiropodist
for thermal
insoles.
- Allow your feet/hands to warm up gradually at home.
DON’TS
X
Do not immerse your feet/hands in warm or hot water, this will make
them worse.
X Do not use vasodilator creams for chilblains
these can make the problems worse.
X
Do not sit directly in front of any kind of fire.
X Avoid
using hot water bottles or any other form or instant heat.
If your toes have
cracked chilblains keep them covered with dressings to help keep the
bacteria out. If you see any pus or have persistent pain or a sudden
increase in pain seek out medical advise from your GP
If your chilblains
have been present along time and are not getting any better or getting
worse contact your GP or Podiatrist.
Fungal
Nails
Nails change shape and thickness for a number of reasons; one cause can be due to a fungal infection. The progression of onset is slow and can first turn the nail either (white superficial) or yellow (starting from around the edges).
Nail treatments can be obtained from the GP in the form of a varnish or nail paint that has to be applied on a regular basis. Treatment can take up to 12-18months whilst the nail grows out.
Your GP may wish
to take a nail cutting to send to the Laboratory for testing before
prescribing your treatment.
Sports
Injuries
An Increasing number
of people are undertaking sporting activities each year, which in turn
has lead to an increasing amount of sporting injuries.
Podiatry has an
important role to play in the management of such injuries along side
other professionals such as physiotherapists (www.handsonphysio.co.uk)
and our local GPs.
“The commonest
acute injury is the ankle sprain (Colville 1998); The commonest tendon
injured is the Achilles Tendon (Marks 1999); The commonest joint injury
is to the knee (Walsh 1994).” Assessment
of the Lower Limb, Merriman & Turner. 2002.
Injuries can be
due to many factors; some are intrinsic, such as joint malalignment
leading to musculoskeletal problems. These problems the athlete cannot
immediately do something about and needs to seek professional help.
Extrinsic factors
leading to injury are such things as over exercise, poor training techniques,
poor equipment, and simple but very important and often overlooked inappropriate
footwear. All these can be altered to prevent injury.
A particularly good
sportswear shop for footwear is Running Bear in Alderley Edge.
In some cases regular
injury can be caused by musculskeletal differences within areas of the
foot and lower limb. These conditions can in many cases be corrected
by orthoses that help to support and correct foot position.
Many conditions
such as shin splints, ankle sprains, tendon injuries and knee joint
problems can all stem from a problem within the foot itself, leading
to changes in angulation of tendons and at joints.
If you suffer from
a regular and constant sporting injury, recurrent pain on exercise or
experience repeated discomfort whilst walking, please do not hesitate
to contact your local Podiatrist for advice and an appointment for a
clinical/biomechanical assessment.
Whether your just starting to walk or have been walking for 50 years what we have in common is that we all need correctly fitting footwear.
Here are some Do’s and Don'ts with footwear:-
Do’s
- Have your feet
measured whether your 6 or 60 it is just as important.
- There should
be at least 10 – 12 mm spare room in the toe box when you are wearing
your shoes.
- Wear lace ups
or shoes with straps preferably.
- Try to buy shoes
that are made of leather (Let your feet Breathe!)
- Wear the correct
shoe for the level of activity and distance you are traveling.
- Invest in a good
lace up boot or sturdy thick-soled shoe for the winter months.
- If you are sporty
try investing in trainers that are designed to let your feet breathe
during the summer months.
- If you are wearing
footwear for sport always get ½ or 1 size bigger trainer/running shoe.
Don'ts
X Try to avoid heels over 5cm
X Avoid sling backs!
X Avoid backless footwear
X Try
to avoid occlusive style footwear if you have a problem with sweaty
feet.
There are some good makes of shoe on the market that cater for wider feet including those who suffer with bunions and hammer toes:-
Kumfs, Louds, Hotter and Ecco
Right Step Podiatry is now at:
Nicholson Road Health Centre (Inside Chiro)
CNR Nicholson Road & Vostan Road Canning Vale WA 6155
Phone:- 08 9455 6009 Fax:- 08 9455 6575
References
Assessment of
the Lower Limb by Linda M. Merriman & Warren Turner 2002.
Neales Disorders
of the Foot. 2006
Clinical Lecture
Notes…Mr F McCourt Salford University. 2005
My Thanks go to:- Cosyfeet