Foot Conditions

Different Foot Conditions

Our feet are one of the most neglected parts of our body, affecting at all ages not just the older population. 

At Soleful Ltd, we emphasise the importance of taking care of your feet, before you encounter a serious foot problem. We offer a variety of treatments to help take care of your feet. If you're unsure, we can check your feet and advise you on the most suitable treatment and how to look after them yourselves. 

Call us today for a free over the phone consultation and advice.
Treatments Offered

This page covers:

  • Corns
  • Callus
  • General Nail care and foot health
  • Ingrown toenail
  • Fungal nail infection
  • Fungal Skin infection
  • Thickened toenails
  • Wilde Pedique Nail reconstruction
  • Verruca
  • Diabetic foot
  • Chilblains

Corns & Callus

These are areas of hard, thickened skin that are developed dye to the skins exposure to consistent or excessive pressure or frictions. They are commonly found on the feet. Corns and callus can cause pain and discomfort when you walk or weight-bear.

Corns 

These are small circular hardened/thickened skin. They are commonly found over bony prominence of the toes, in-between the toes, ball of the feet and even the heels, but they can appear anywhere at any time. Corns are associated from poor fitting footwear and foot deformity causing mechanical pressure. People with diabetes, neuropathy and individuals with poor circulation should never use any chemical agents to remove corns.

Common Causes:
• Inappropriate footwear such as high or tight pointy shoes
• Feet that have lost their natural fat pad on the sole of their feet, possibly as the result of the aging process or a form of arthritis.
• Weight gain
• Trauma such as stepping on sharp objects like a nail. This can lead to damage to the skin, causing the area to be more prone to corns and calluses.
• Previous treatments such as cryosurgery, corn plasters or surgically having a corn removed. 

What can Soleful Ltd do for you?
• Firstly, an assessment to examine the lesion, to an untrained eye a corn can be confused with a verruca, leading to mistreatment and frustration.
• Removal of the corn(s) with a scalpel by a HCPC registered podiatrist, this is only temporary, as there is a high chance of the corn coming back due to the high-pressure area because of footwear, tight socks and the foots biomechanics.
• Advice on how to reduce the corn from coming back
• Advice on footwear such as; wide fitting, deep toe box with a good heel cup to accommodate your feet
• Short term padding or chair-side orthosis to offload the corn(s)
• Custom made insoles
• Advice on what not to do with a corn!
• If you have a very painful corn that conservative treatment does not work, a podiatrist can recommend surgical intervention.

This happens when dead skin cells build up and becomes hard and rough around areas of the foot that are often appear yellow in colour. This is the body’s way of trying to protect the tissue from excessive pressure or friction. However, it can become a nuisance and be painful. Callus can be found on many parts of the feet due to pressure, friction, foot function, foot deformity and or due to footwear.
It can be found on the heels, tip of the toes, side of the toes, ball of the foot and be overlying the corn.

Callus can vary in thickness, some can be light and not be problematic or it can be very thick and fibrous. When callus/hard skin builds up it can become painful this is where many people use over the counter products, electric file/handheld file or even razor blades (Yikes!!) to remove callus. Yes, it is very dangerous and most of the time it doesn’t resolve why it happens or even understand why it occurs. It is important to see a podiatrist to assess, treat and advise how to prevent build-up of callus, or even provide a prescription insole to reduce callus build up and to offload pressure areas before it becomes it gets worse. It is important that those with diabetes, immunocompromised health or feet, it is best to avoid self- treating and see a professional for an assessment and advice.

Common Causes:
• Excessive pressure or friction on specific areas of the foot, like that of a corn.
• Inappropriate footwear like high heels or shoes that are too small
• Weight gain
• Foot deformity such as high arched feet or flat feet, unusual foot shape
• Abnormal gait (the way you walk)
• Loss of protective fat pad on areas of the foot, again like how corns can appear
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, amputations and more
What can we do for you?
• Like with corns, we assess, treat and advice how to manage this. 
• For people with diabetes, immunocompromised health or feet it is important to see a podiatrist, this will prevent risk of trauma, ulceration/wound and also reduce the risk of amputation(s).
• Removing callus with a scalpel by a HCPC registered podiatrist, again this is temporary unless measures are put in place.
• A good quality foot moisturiser such as a urea-based cream such as flexitol, CCS, dermatonic, Allpresan and many more. Urea is what the body naturally discreet, it helps soften the hard skin and nails though it will not get rid of the hard skin. 
• Filing the hard skin once or twice a week, dependent on the amount of callus you may need to do it more frequently. Some people prefer soaking the feet before exfoliating the hard skin and others prefer filing and then soaking.
• Advice on footwear if you have problems with hard skin when weightbearing or walking, this is where a Custom-made insole can be beneficial.
• Short term padding or chairside orthosis to offload

Callus

General Nailcare & Foot Health

As we get older, we find ourselves finding it difficult managing certain things for example, nail cutting and checking our feet.

At Soleful Ltd, we can provide you with regular nail care and foot health treatment with advice and tips on how to maintain your feet in between appointments.

We can also teach family members, partners and or carers on how to safely manage your feet from how to cut the nails,  checking and drying in-between the toes, how to check the feet thoroughly to what to do in the case of an emergency of trauma or infection.
It is a common painful nail condition and tends to occur on the big toe. In this instance, the nail can cut and penetrate the skin causing extreme pain, swelling, bleeding, excessive tissue/hypergranulation (caused from irritation of the nail) and or result in possible infection, this can occur on one side or bilaterally (both). 

Common causes:
• Heredity
• Poor nail cutting and habits
• Nail picking and biting
• Biomechanical foot deformity
• Inappropriate footwear, socks & hosiery
• Trauma
• Medical condition, treatment or therapy

Tips & Prevention:
• Cut your nails straight across and file to smooth the edges, you can shape the nail with a file.
• DO NOT cut the nails too short, cutting toenails correctly go a long way
• DO NOT pick or bite your nails
• DO NOT cut into the sides of the nail, as it will encourage the nail to grow into the skin. It is natural for us to cut the corner that hurts, but this can lead to an ingrown toenail that could have been avoided
• If you do have an ingrown toenail, book an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.
• Look out for these signs of infection; redness going to the mid portion or base of the toe, heat, swelling, foul smell, excessive weeping within a few hours, painful and or feeling unwell in yourself. These signs may mean you need antibiotics, just remember the antibiotics will clear the infection but will NOT resolve the ingrown toenail 
• Salt water bathe with cotton wool the affected area
• Thoroughly dry the toes with a clean towel
• Apply antiseptic solution such as Germolene or Savlon 
• During the day when you are weight-bearing wear a dressing/plaster on the toe and regularly change it (especially if the dressing has wept through, this will reduce the risk of infection) and in the evening let the affected area dry naturally.

There are treatments for ingrown toe nail including; non-surgical nail resection treatment with a specialist who can revise the nail for temporary or permanent* relief. This is where a level of surgical skills and knowledge matters the most, and you can be assured of being in the very best of hands. We can also give you advice on how to prevent this further. 

If repeated incidences of ingrown toenail or infection occurs, it would be advisable for nail surgery to permanently resolve it. We currently do not provide this however, we can discuss with you exactly what to expect if you did wish to go down the surgical route, answering all your questions and taking away your worries and anxiousness. We at Soleful Ltd are more than happy to refer you on to friendly podiatrist or team who do.

* Everyone’s nail is different and will grow differently, some may experience permanent relief and the ingrown toe nail will have resolved, and others may only have a temporary relief.

Ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis)

Fungal Nail
(onychomycosis)

This is usually a result of the fungi that causes fungal skin infection infecting the nail. Usually harmless but they can spread and can also infect other people. It is important to take special consideration to avoid this. Fungi similar to verruca/HPV, it thrives in warm, dark and moist places.

Common Causes:
• Poor hygiene
• Non-breathable footwear, prolong time in footwear especially wellies, boots and sports shoes can make your feet hot and sweaty. 
• Walking around bare feet, similar to verruca; fungal infection can easily spread in areas such as communal showers, lockers, changing room, gyms, sports centres and sharing socks and shoes. 
• Damaged nails
• Certain health conditions such as diabetes, weakened immune systems, psoriasis, peripheral arterial disease

Tips on reducing fungal nail infection:
• Having basic good hygiene
• Avoid sharing nail clippers or socks
• If you suspect fungal infection use over the counter antifungal products and follow the manufactures instruction. Before purchasing ask for advice from the pharmacist or alternatively call for a free consultation or make an appointment today for a full assessment
• The earlier you treat it the better, this will reduce the risk of further spreading the infection.

Can I treat it?
Not all fungal nail infection need treatment and dependent on the person. Mild nail infection with no changes in nail plate may benefit from over the counter treatment, whereas nail plate that have thickened and is crumbling may require more specialist treatment. It is important to have a clipping sent off to microbiology to find out which fungi it is and what treatment would be best to eliminate it.

If you have any concern speak to your GP or contact Soleful Ltd today to discuss the affect nail if it is causing you pain or discomfort.

Treatments:
• Antifungal/Terbinafine tablets, effective but can cause side effects to the kidney and liver, also there is a chance of reoccurrence.
• Antifungal nail paints/lacquer, special solution that is applied directly to the nail over several months, can be anywhere from 3 months to 24 months +
• Reduction of the infected nail with a podiatry drill, only if the nail plate is thick, this will not eliminate the fungal infection, but it will thin down the nail for post treatment and vanish
• Nail surgery, though invasive, this is the most effective way to eliminate the fungal nail permanently (you will need to use antifungal treatment post-surgery). It is important to discuss the pros and cons of this if treating for fungal purchases
• Laser therapy, a new procedure recently introduced where high-energy laser destroys the fungus. Note, it will destroy the fungus, but if the nail plate is already damaged and or thickened, it will not improve or thin the nail appearance.
Commonly known as athlete’s foot or medically known as tinea pedis. Can be caused by any number of fungal species, which can be easily picked up from several places (see fungal nail section). The skin regenerates itself approximately every 27 days meaning the skin is always flaking, to break it down further if someone has athletes foot, the skin that has fallen off may have traces of fungal and can be picked up. Fungi similar to verruca/HPV, it thrives in warm, dark and moist environment.

It is a highly contagious infection and if left untreated, the infection can spread to toenails, hands, groin and even at risk of a bacterial infection. This is why it is important to take special consideration to avoid this.

Who can be affected by it?
Everyone! 

Common Causes:
• Poor hygiene
• Non-breathable footwear
• Walking around bare feet 
• Dry and flaky skin
• Moist spaces in between the toes
• Hot summer conditions; the sun dehydrates the skin, that combined with exposure to sandals can make someone more susceptible to fungal infection
• Certain health conditions such as diabetes, weakened immune systems, psoriasis, peripheral arterial disease

Symptoms:
• Itching or irritation 
• Cracked/blistered or peeling areas of the skin
• Burning sensation
• Redness
• Sore
• Scaly appearance – can be mistaken for eczema or dry skin
• Maceration/white patches in between the toes
• Skin that cracks or bleed

Tips on preventing fungal infection:
• Basic good hygiene
• It is important to keep your feet clean and dry
• If in between the toe is wet or macerated, use surgical spirit to dry it out with a clean cotton bud or wool. It is also cooling, soothing and antiseptic, it can sting but if you notice irritation and redness, stop using immediately and seek medical attention.
• Avoid moisturising in between the toes
• Wearing breathable footwear and alternate between them, it takes 24-4 hours for shoes to dry out properly. To adequately let the shoes dry, take the insoles out and loosen the laces so air can properly circulate.
• Wear sandals in public places 
• Avoid sharing shoes and socks
• Breathable or cotton socks
• Wear new socks every day
• Avoid sharing nail clippers
• Avoid sharing towels, also use a separate towel to the feet than the rest of the body
• Wash your clothes including your under garments, socks and trousers at 60° to destroy the spores and fungi
• If you suspect fungal infection use over the counter antifungal products like spray and solution to treat your footwear. Before purchasing ask for advice from the pharmacist or alternatively call for a free consultation or make an appointment today for a full assessment
• The earlier you treat it the better, this will reduce the risk of further spreading the infection.
• It is important to continue with the treatment a few weeks post clearance of the foot fungal and reoccurrence is high. You want to continue to get rid of any possible spores.
• See a podiatrist if you need to for further assessment or advice.

** If you have diabetes, it is vital that you treat it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection and ulceration. **

Fungal Skin Infection
(Tinea Pedis)

Thickened/ Discoloured Toenails (Onychauxis)

Thickened toenails does not always mean fungal nails. 

Common Causes:

• Usually trauma or repeated trauma causing deformity of the nail bed
• A nail that has once or more fallen off and the nail bed is now damaged or deformed
• Heredity
• Fungal nails
• Certain medical condition such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, peripheral arterial disease, psoriasis, skin conditions and more
• Neglecting own personal hygiene. Unfortunately, there are people who have not been able to look after their foot especially their nails for a number of reasons. Causing the nail to thicken and become hard to cut, many people become embarrassed and do not know who to go to. 

This is where a Podiatrist is important, we at Soleful Ltd can assess your nails, cut them and thin the nails down. Allowing you to feel great, confident and being able to wear shoes comfortably. We can also reduce your risk of the nail(s) piercing the skin.
Do you have discoloured, thickened, broken or even fungal nails that you keep hidden from people? Nail diseases can be treated with nail cosmetic treatments, at Soleful Ltd we use Wilde Pedique Silver Plus.

What is Wilde Pedique Silver Plus?
It helps correct, strengthen and restore the toe nail using a 1 phase resin. It is a light curing synthetic resin that is cured via a light unit, an elastic gel that adjust to your nails and feet natural movement, acts just like a toenail.

Acrylester resin is a high grade plastic material which is extremely flexible, when it is exposed to UV-A light it hardens, yet its long molecular chain gives it its flexible property.

Wilde Pedique Silver Plus comes in 6 shades; clear, opaque, pink, pastel, cool pink and beige, giving our clients the flexibility to choose their finish according to their skin tone and preference. Our podiatrist can determine the shade of the resin according to the disease or problem present.

If there is no problems such as pressure points, lifting or nail disease, the synthetic nail will grow out with the natural nail.

We can also provide you with a permanent French look without a long drying period. If you wanted a different nail polish you can always vanish over and if you change your mind the permanent French look will be there.

Who is it for?
• Anyone with any nail condition 
• Fungal nail infection, it will instantly improve the look of the nail and will help keep the infection at bay
• Traumatised toenails, it will improve the nail appearance
• Thickened nails, after the podiatrist has reduced the nail with a podiatry drill, Wilde Pedique can be applied to give the appearance of a healthy nail
• Anyone with a corn underneath their nail, once we remove the corn and cut the nail back, the Wilde Pedique application can reduce the corn from coming back, thus increasing comfort and being pain free.

Benefits of Wilde Pedique Silver plus:
• Odourless
• No discolouration 
• No primer/chemical activator, no harsh acidic primers are used as these can damage the natural nail plate.
• Non-porous, meaning no moisture or air can penetrate the synthetic nail, this prevents further spreading of nail fungal
• No damage to the natural nail
• Hypo-allergenic 

Can it be done on no nails?
No, there needs to be at least 15% of the nail for a good bond or be an anchor point for the gel, otherwise the nail will come off within 48 hours. 
A full prothesis nail is still possible though but remember it will be temporary and requires frequent maintenance.

Wilde Pedique Toenail Reconstruction

Verruca

This is a wart found on different parts of the sole of the foot and toes. It can range from small, dark with black pin like or puncture like marks or it can become rough and raised appearing like a cauliflower with black pin like marks. They can be scattered with small circular appearance or spread into clusters of warts.

Verruca is a virus caused by the human papiloma virus (HPV). It is contagious with direct human contact. Similar to that of fungus, it breeds in warm, moist environments such as;
• Swimming pools (wear verruca socks to prevent spreading the virus)
• Public changing rooms (Cover small cuts and abrasions)
• Communal showers (wear sandals)
• Bathrooms (Keep your feet clean and dry)
• Shared towels (especially wet, it is best to avoid this)
• Floors on the sports centres.

Some people know they have a verruca and others do not, and if a person has a verruca that is not covered, the virus can transfer onto the floor and can be easily picked up by someone especially if they have a cut or an abrasion as it is easier for the virus to penetrate.

Verruca is harmless, though there is small population who can experience a sharp, burning like pain, especially when weight-bearing.

It is common in children, teenagers, athletes, those susceptible to the virus and those who have immunocompromised health. Most verruca go away on their own but can take a long time, others may require professional treatment.

What can we do for you?
• We can assess & advice
• Currently we provide 2 treatments; a non-invasive surgical debridement of verruca, this is to encourage the verruca to bleed to allow your body’s immune system to respond and eliminate the virus. When debriding the verruca there will be pinpoint bleeding due to small vessels underneath, this is often painless and will only be done to a person’s pain threshold. A few sessions may be needed. Or a chemical-based treatment, the safest and most effective treatment using salicylic acid. Post sharp debridement, the salicylic acid is applied to the virus to break up the viral cells. It is 75% effective, it will need to be applied weekly over a period, and the foot needs to be kept dry.
• We can advise you of other options that are available in other private clinics and refer you on. Treatments such as dry needling; a minor surgical procedure, which involves a fine needle puncturing multiple areas of the verruca lesion and dermo epidermal under local anaesthetic, it is 80% effective. Another form is Cryotherapy, where the virus is frozen with liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide gas. It will need to be done every 2 or 3 weeks over a period before the verruca is fully resolved. However, the treated area can be sore and blister. 
• It is important to note; no treatment is 100% effective

** Do not self-treat if you have diabetes or immunocompromised health **

It is a disorder with a hundred different faces and a thousand different complications, all which affects everyone differently.

Diabetic foot ulcers occur because of various factors, such as mechanical changes in the foot, peripheral neuropathy, and atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. 

Diabetes can make the ligaments become stiff and cause neuropathy, meaning nerve damage leading to loss of protective sensation and coordination of muscle groups in the foot and leg, both of which increase mechanical stresses during weight-bearing activities.

Common causes of nerve damage/loss of sensation:
• Repetitive stress
• Unnoticed injuries
• Fractures
• Environment – cold or hot
• Even unnoticed damage from a blunt or sharp object
• Structural foot deformities
• Eventual tissue breakdown that cause blistering and ulceration.
Symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy:
• Numbness or tingling (like pins and needles)
• Burning sensation – is worse at night or at rest?
• Pain in the feet or legs when walking that limits your mobility and is relieved when you rest
• History of foot ulcers
• Swelling in feet or legs
• Feet are hot or cold

Diabetes is a serious condition not to be taken lightly, which is why it is important to see your podiatrist for an annual review or even regularly to check you have the best foot health and general health possible. A Podiatrist can advise you how to look after yourself and your feet, spot signs of danger and what to do in case of an emergency. 

Prevention and education is key to a healthy lifestyle, a healthy you and reducing the risk of limb loss. Diabetic foot ulceration affects up to 26 million people worldwide, every 30 seconds a lower limb or part of the lower limb is lost to amputation due to diabetes. This means people with diabetes are 10-20 times more likely to have an amputation than those without diabetes.

Diabetes & the foot

Chilblain

This is when the skin has an abnormal reaction to exposure to cold temperatures, varying from short to prolong exposure, commonly found on the toes, fingers, ears and nose. It can become intense when you go into a warm room.

When the skin is exposed to cold, the blood vessels become narrow. When it is then exposed to heat the blood vessels become wide, this is when the skin cannot handle the increase blood flow that chilblain occurs due to the blood leaking into nearby tissues. This tends to happen over the winter period.

Chilblains tend to normally heal within 2-3 weeks if preventative measures are taken without the need of treatment. Sometimes a soothing lotion may help such as calamine or witch hazel to relieve the itching. If it is not healing and getting worse it is important to contact the GP, for review of medication and assessment of chilblain.

Signs and symptoms:
• Small red lesions
• Burning
• Itching
• Sore
• Swelling
• Blistering or open sores
• Toes and fingers turn red/mauve or dark blue

Who is at risk?
• People with poor circulation
• Heredity and family history of chilblains
• Regular exposure to cold and damp conditions
• Poor diet
• Low body weight
• Immunocompromised health such as autoimmune disorder like lupus or Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Smokers

Tips on preventing chilblain:
• Limit your expose to the cold weather or environment
• Wear thermal socks or double layer socks to keep warm
• Wear gloves & wrap up warm
• Checking your feet daily
• Gentle exercise & keep active to get the circulation going
• Reduce your smoking
• Moisturise daily in particular your feet, this stops the skin from drying and cracking
• Have warm meals
• Check your shoes are not damp
• Keep your house well heated
• Look out for infected chilblain

Complications:
• Blistering or ulceration
• Infection from blistering or scratched skin
• Swelling or pus forming in affected areas
• Feeling unwell, having high temperatures
• Potentially become life threatening if infection is left untreated

If you suspect an infection it is important to contact your GP as soon as possible for treatment and possible antibiotics

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For an extensive range of footcare products, contact Soleful Ltd today on
07444 478 072or email us on solefulltd@hotmail.com
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