15 Reasons to see a Podiatrist

Hard skin on your feet can be very painful. Chiropody care will gently remove the hard skin and we will give advice and treatment to prevent recurrence or manage the problem conservatively.

These are small, red and itchy swellings on your feet. They can become more painful as time passes developing into larger dry areas that may crack and can bleed. They are caused by the skin’s abnormal reaction to cold, damp or draughty conditions.

Foot blisters are very common and occur due to skin friction causing the body to produce fluid beneath the skin which increases in size and leads to pain, irritation, and sometimes infection. A blister can cause significant symptoms of redness, soreness, large fluid filled “bubbles”, and can lead to more serious problems as ulcerations and infection. Foot blisters can be prevented and treated by a podiatrist.

If you have problems reaching your own toenails, or have trouble trimming them properly to ensure that you don't get ingrown nails or other nail problems, we will be happy to trim them for you.

Discoloured or yellow toe nails are usually caused by a type of fungus of the nail, this can be very easily treated with topical preparations or in the more severe cases by oral medications from your GP. Thickened toenails can be painlessly sanded down and infected nail removed.

Ingrown toenails are caused when the nail, either by curvature or skin growth, actually grows into the skin, creating a very painful border to the toenail. It can occur on any toenail of the foot, and can get infected very quickly so it’s important to get your toenail checked. There are many different solutions, but it is extremely important to see a podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail.

Verrucae are warts that occur on the soles of the feet. They are the same as warts on any other part of the body. However, they may look flatter as they tend to get 'trodden in’ Sometimes verrucae are painful if they press on a sensitive part of the foot and some people find their warts unsightly.

Verrucae are contagious and you can also spread the wart virus to other areas of your body. Most warts go on their own within 1-2 years but sometimes warts last longer. In particular, warts in older people are sometimes more persistent and may last for several years. The treatments offered by podiatrists can often clear warts a lot more quickly.

Any kind of pain in the heel needs to be seen by a podiatrist. With heel pain it is important to take note of what kind of pain is occurring and when.

Classically heel pain is called plantar fasciitis and treatment includes assessment, diagnosis, insoles, physiotherapy, advice and injections if needed. Also an x ray may be required to rule out the possibility of bone spurs, gout crystals, and other injuries or pathologies.

Foot health is especially important for people who have diabetes. Diabetes can limit the blood supply to your feet and can also cause a loss of feeling in your feet. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well.

Your podiatrist can routinely screen your feet to check both the blood supply to your feet, look for evidence of loss of sensation and treat any corns or callus and cut your nails to avoid any foot problems developing.

If you have pain and swelling (oedema) in one foot and not the other you should see a podiatrist. There are many problems that need to be investigated which could be causing the pain and swelling for example a broken bone, infection, tendonitis or tendon rupture. Swelling in both feet and ankles could be due to lymphedema. Whatever the cause it is always a good idea to come in to see the podiatrist to diagnose and treat a problem before it gets worse.

Soreness in the toes can be due to any number of injuries or conditions and at Brightwell we can provide pads, arch supports, and insoles in your shoes to alleviate your foot pain.

With any type of pain in the foot, a podiatrist should be seen to evaluate what is causing the pain, and to review treatment options. Night splints, shoe pads, arch supports, and padded insoles can all alleviate foot pain, but it is necessary to have the podiatrist evaluate and fit you for them. Click for Biomechanics/Gait Analysis

This could be due to either a number of tendon problems in the foot perhaps conditions in your muscular or skeletal structure. A podiatrist can help alleviate the pain with shoe advice, foot padding, orthotics and other treatments. Click for Biomechanics/Gait Analysis

Bunions are a structural deformity of the bones in the foot and the joint that is between the foot and big toe. They can become swollen and irritated at the base of the big toe. They can be painful and may require surgical correction. Bunions should always be assessed and early advice can be very helpful in managing this condition over your lifetime. Click for Biomechanics/Gait Analysis

If you notice that your feet flatten out when standing this could be a sign of over pronation and/or tendon problems. A tendon that does not work properly can lead to the bones not being lined up which in time can cause degeneration in the joints.

Seeing a podiatrist for analysis of your gait and treating the problem early may prevent damage to your joints. Click for Biomechanics/Gait Analysis