Treatments - how Mersey Foot Care can help
Ingrown Nails
Many people suffer from ingrown toenails which could be caused by a number of possibilities, ranging from tight fitting footwear to impact damage, but the condition is most commonly caused by incorrect nail trimming.
Ingrown toenails often appear red and swollen, and can lead to infection if left untreated.
There are a number of treatment options available, but the most common course of action is to remove the area of nail that is causing the pain and to ensure that no sharp edges remain. The relief is often instantaneous.
Advice on correct nail trimming will then be given to avoid a reoccurrence.
Calluses
Callus is caused by excessive friction and appears as a hard, thickened area of the skin.
Treatment is required when a callus becomes painful or causes problems when wearing certain footwear.
Treatment will include an assessment to determine the root cause of the callus, its removal or reduction, and advice for the most appropriate way to avoid future problems.
Corns
Corns are very common and are caused by periods of prolonged pressure on one specific area of the skin.
Corns can be painful and tender to the touch and will need to be removed to avoid further pain and discomfort.
Treatment will include an assessment to determine the root cause of the corn and careful removal (enucleation) of the corn.
Advice will be given to avoid future corns but follow up treatment may be required.
Diabetic Foot Care
People with diabetes may develop foot complications such as a loss of sensation in the legs and feet (neuropathy) and reduced blood circulation (ischemia) which results in an inability to heal wounds quickly. These conditions make infections easier to come by, but more difficult to treat.
It is therefore essential that diabetic patients pay close attention to their feet to reduce the likelihood of cuts and infections. It is the Foot Health Practitioner's role to maintain the health of the patients' feet, to monitor any changes to their condition and to generally educate patients as to appropriate footwear and the importance of diabetic foot care.
Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections are very common and can be difficult to treat if not approached correctly.
Fungal nails often cause no pain or discomfort, but the infection can spread easily and if left untreated, can develop into a more severe infection.
Fungal nails often present as a yellowish green colour and the condition is often accompanied by excessively thickened nails.
Treatment will usually involve a nail reduction and application of an effective antifungal to clear the infection, but the patient should continue daily treatment for optimum results.
Verruca Treatment
Verrucae are very contagious, but relatively benign warts that grow on the foot and look unsightly. Over the counter remedies are generally unsuccessful, and if not treated appropriately, verrucae will spread and may increase in size.
Treatment will involve careful reduction of the verruca and application of specialist silver cream, the patient will be provided with a pot of cream to take away with them to be applied daily.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s Foot often causes an itching and burning sensation and may cause the skin to peel and in severe cases, the skin may crack causing further pain and bleeding to occur.
Athlete’s Foot is caused by a variety of fungi known as dermatophytes, which infect the upper dermis of the skin and thrive in warm and moist areas of the body.
Treatment will involve an assessment of the affected area and application of anti-fungal ointment. Targeted advice will be provided on how to clean and dry the feet appropriately and to change and thoroughly clean socks often to clear the infection.
General Foot Care and Nail Trimming
General foot care and toenail maintenance is often an area that is sadly neglected, however good foot care and well maintained, clean, healthy and hygienic feet can keep you feeling well, prevent the onset of infections or other unwanted conditions and most importantly, keep you mobile.
Toenails provide a protection for the toes from damage, and if not trimmed correctly, may cause ingrown toenails or cause infection.
Many people through different stages of their life may find it difficult to maintain their own toenail trimming and general foot care and that's where Mersey Foot Care come in.
Treatment involves trimming, filing and shaping the nails to the correct length using sterile equipment. Once trimmed, specialist foot moisturiser is massaged into the feet to rehydrate the skin and promote good circulation.