Chiropody is devoted to the treatment and management of disorders and conditions affecting the foot.
The range of conditions that can be treated by our chiropodist include:
- Skin conditions such as callous and corns
- Nail conditions, such a thickened and deformed nails, and fungal nails, painful or ingrown toenails
- Verrucae
- Infections such as fungal infections, infected wounds, bites or ingrown nails
We offer a complete footcare service, available within a clinic
Corns and callus can be painful
Corns and calluses are thickening of the skin on the feet that become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure or friction (rubbing) on the skin. Corns and calluses can be painlessly removed and advice can be given to prevent further reoccurrences.
After treatment feel like you are walking on air
A corn is a small area of skin which has become thickened due to pressure on it, they are often very painful. A corn is normally round in shape and presses into the deeper layers of the skin. There are two types of corns, hard and soft. Hard corns form on the tops of the toes or over any bony areas. Soft corns form in between the toes and are equally painful.
Callus tends to be larger, broader and has less defined edge than a corn. They commonly form on the underside of the foot and over bony areas.
- Tight or poor fitting shoes.
- Deformities of the feet such as hammer or claw toes, which lead to the skin rubbing more easily inside shoes.
- Excessive running or walking
Verrucae can spread - treatments are available
Verrucae or warts are caused by a viral infection. Initially verrucae are painless and can sometimes resolve by themselves. However they can also be painful and spread to other areas of the foot.
Verrucae are caused by the human papilloma virus, of which there are many variants. The virus is contagious, but not everyone will develop a verrucae. They appear as small, innocuous circles on the skin. As they grow, they form a "cauliflower" like appearance and often are covered with tiny back dots, which are actually small blood vessels.
Verrucae can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces such as those in areas surrounding swimming pools and communal washing areas. They are more likely to spread if the skin is wet, soft or has been in contact with a rough surface. People with scratches or cuts on the soles of their feet are particularly vulnerable.
Treatments available include cryosurgery (freezing) or the use of strong acids. It is worth noting that no single treatment for warts is 100% effective, and there is no guarantee that the warts will not return.
Common causes- They are spread by person-to-person contact.
- Commonly contracted in communal places such as swimming pool showers and changing areas.
- Excessive moisture or excessive dryness of the skin can lead to small cracks in the skin, which allows the virus to enter the skin.
Are your nails discoloured, brittle or thickened?
Characterised by nail thickening and a yellow/ brown discoloration, fungal infections causes the texture of the nail to change and it may become soft and broken. Fungal infections should always be confirmed microbiologically before initiating treatment.
Fungal nails can spread and look unslightly
Often the infection is just in one nail, but several may be affected. At first the infection is usually painless. The nail may look thickened and discoloured (often a greeny-yellow colour). Commonly, this is all that occurs and it often causes no other symptoms. However, it can look unsightly.
Sometimes the infection becomes worse. White or yellow patches may appear where the nail has come away from the skin under the nail (the nailbed). The nail may become soft and crumble and the nail may even fall off. The skin next to the nail may be inflamed or scaly. If left untreated, the infection may eventually destroy the nail and the nailbed, and may become painful. Walking may become uncomfortable if a toenail is affected.
Treatment will vary from simple reduction of the nail to applying topical medication.
Common causes
- Spread from a fungal skin infection for example, athlete's foot.
- A nail that has recently been damaged is also more likely to become infected.
- If you have various conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, poor circulation or poor general health.
- The condition is frequent in older people.
Don't delay in getting treatment
The nail becomes 'ingrowing' when the side of the nail cuts into the skin next to the nail. This can become very painful. The skin next to the nail may also become infected or inflamed. Ingrowing nails can be treated conservatively, but if they become chronic nail surgery may become necessary
In some cases ingrowing nails are caused by tight fitting shoes, it is however more common in people who cut their toenails very short and 'round'. The correct way of cutting nails is 'straight across'. This helps the nail to grow normally and may prevent ingrowing toenails from developing. Ingrowing nails can be treated conservatively by cutting back the offending nails. If the ingrowing nail persists or becomes an ongoing problem, all or part of the nail can be removed surgically under local anesthetic. This procedure is very effective and more importantly permanent with a very high success rate.
Common causes
- Trauma to the nail
- Improper cutting of toenails
- Tight shoes or hosiery
- Abnormal shape of nail plate
- Abnormal thickness of nail
| Treatment | Price |
| Chiropody (1 Hour) | £75 |