Chiropody Conditions
Most Common Foot Conditions
Verruca
Introduction to Verruca
Verrucaes are a common complaint amongst children and adults. A verruca is a small skin lesion which is commonly found on the bottom surface of the foot, also known as a wart. The lesion is usually approximately 1cm in diameter but can be larger. Sometimes a single wart may have many small satellite warts surrounding it, this is called a Mosaic Wart.
Appearance of Verruca
They appearance is similar to corns but verrucaes are more superficial in depth.
The surface of the verrucae is covered with black dots that are actually small blood vessels that feed the verrucae.
The colour is usually paler then the usual tone of the skin.
Verrucaes are usually surrounding by hard skin and will not be well circumscribed.
Symptoms of Verruca
Patients often complain that a verruca feels like a small stone under the foot.
They are usually asymptomatic (not painful) unless they are squeezed.
Corns
Introduction to Corns
A corn is a localized thickening of the skin due to pressure. Corns often occur on the top of the toes where there is pressure from the shoes. However, they also occur at the sole of the foot and in between toes. Certain corns may become entwined with the nerves of the skin, these corns are particularly painful. Often corns develop a core which is often referred to as the "root" by patients. Corns can be very painful, especially if there is inflammation and swelling around the corn.
This condition is more prevalent in females as a result of wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. Corns appear as white/ gray or yellow/ brown in colour depending on your skin type. Symptoms include pain and swelling around the corn and discomfort with direct pressure.
In-Growing Toe Nails
Introduction to In Growing Toe Nails
In growing toe nails are one of the most common foot complaints treated by a chiropodist. This condition can be very painful and patients may often be very reluctant to have the condition treated. However, we can assure you that this condition will not resolve itself and requires specialist care. An In growing toe nail is caused by a splinter of nail or the whole nail causing pressure to the skin. Some In growing toe nails are an acute which means that they have occurred due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which means the patient has had the problem for a long period of time. The large toe is usually affected, however, it can also affect the lesser toes.
Symptoms of In Growing Toe Nails
The condition may be aggravated by wearing tight shoes or shoes with a inadequate depth.
In an acute condition the toe will be very painful to touch and there may be presence of a infection.
In a chronic condition the toe will only be painful when the patient is walking with shoes on.
Fungus Nail
Introduction to Fungus Nail
Fungus nails is an unsightly condition which can be difficult to treat. Many patients become very conscious about a fungus nail condition and refuse to wear sandals and have their feet seen in public. It is caused by microscopic organisms called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes grow in the nail bed, beneath the nail and live off keratin, the protein in the nail. The condition usually begins towards the end of the nail and may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If the condition is left untreated, it will proceed to the base of the nail. It will attack the nail root (matrix) and cause the nail to grow very thick and deformed. The big toe is usually the first nail to be affected with the condition spreading to adjacent nails. In rare cases this condition can also affect the skin surrounding the nails.
Symptoms of Fungus Nail
The nail may become brittle and split in to several pieces.
The actual condition is not painful. However, if the nail becomes thick and deformed it may grow into the skin at an angle and become an ingrowing toe nail.
In severe cases, inflammation may arise from an ingrowing toe nail which may result in a secondary infection.
It will affect a patients day to day activities as the pressure from the nails against the shoes causes discomfort.
If the condition is left untreated for a long period of time, the nail will become very brittle and the patient may experience episodes of total removal of the nail followed by re-growth.
Appearance of Fungus Nail
At an early stage, the nail may have white or yellow patches of discoloration. There may also be yellow horizontal streaks in the nail.
At a later stage, the nail will grow thick, deformed, discoloured and have a foul odour (musty smell). It may also split and start to crumble.
Athletes Foot
Introduction to Athletes Foot
The term athlete's foot is a highly misleading name, as this condition does not only occur in athletes. Athlete's foot is a common name given to a fungus infection of the skin that predominately occurs in between toes but can occur anywhere on the foot. If left untreated the condition can spread to other parts of the foot, hands and can even affect the face.
This condition can cause a great deal of discomfort and can affect an individual's quality of life. The skin involved may be red, swollen and may contain sticky fluid. Patients may also experience a scaly dry rash on the bottom and sides of feet. This type of athlete's foot is called a "moccasin" pattern. Cracks or "fissures" can occur between the toes, sometimes with an accompanied soft white scale.
Symptoms
Symptoms include dry and itchy lesions. Patients often report a burning or stinging sensation. A common associated condition with athletes foot is a fungal nail infection. If athletes foot is not treated the lesion can become infected and extremely painful.
Bunions
Introduction to Bunions
Bunions are one of the most common forefoot deformities. A displacement of the bone under the 1st toe occurs. This causes the big toe to move towards the smaller toes. This shifting of the bones causes a bony prominence on the side of the patients foot (the bunion joint). Over a period of time the big toe may come to rest under (occasionally over) the 2nd toe.
A bunion is more common in women than men due to women wearing tighter fitting shoes. This condition can cause a variety of different soft tissue and bony complaints which may result in severe pain.
Symptoms include redness, swelling and pain which may be present along the inside margin of the foot. The patients feet may become too wide to fit into their normal size shoe and may experience moderate to severe discomfort occuring when the patient is wearing tight shoes. A "hammer toe" may occur at the 2nd toe. This is when the toe contracts and presses on the shoe. Subsequently, this may cause a corn on top of the 2nd toe.
Corns and calluses may occur on the soles of the feet, in between toes and on the bunion joint. Stiffness can occur at the big toe due to secondary arthritis, this is known as Hallux Rigidus. Other foot conditions can occur such as in growing toe nails and in severe cases the bunion joint may have a fluid filled sack called a BURSITIS. This can be very painful and can become infected
Callus:
1. A localized firm thickening of the upper layer of skin as a result of repetitive friction. A callus on the skin of the foot has become thick and hard from rubbing (as a result of repetitive friction). Calluses of the feet may lead to other problems such as serious infections. Shoes that fit well can keep calluses from forming on the feet.
2. The hard new bone substance that forms in an area of bone fracture. Bony callus is part of the bone repair process.
Also called, less often, a callosity. Both callus and callosity are derived from the Latin callum meaning thick skin.
Most Common Foot Conditions
Verruca
Introduction to Verruca
Verrucaes are a common complaint amongst children and adults. A verruca is a small skin lesion which is commonly found on the bottom surface of the foot, also known as a wart. The lesion is usually approximately 1cm in diameter but can be larger. Sometimes a single wart may have many small satellite warts surrounding it, this is called a Mosaic Wart.
Appearance of Verruca
They appearance is similar to corns but verrucaes are more superficial in depth.
The surface of the verrucae is covered with black dots that are actually small blood vessels that feed the verrucae.
The colour is usually paler then the usual tone of the skin.
Verrucaes are usually surrounding by hard skin and will not be well circumscribed.
Symptoms of Verruca
Patients often complain that a verruca feels like a small stone under the foot.
They are usually asymptomatic (not painful) unless they are squeezed.
Corns
Introduction to Corns
A corn is a localized thickening of the skin due to pressure. Corns often occur on the top of the toes where there is pressure from the shoes. However, they also occur at the sole of the foot and in between toes. Certain corns may become entwined with the nerves of the skin, these corns are particularly painful. Often corns develop a core which is often referred to as the "root" by patients. Corns can be very painful, especially if there is inflammation and swelling around the corn.
This condition is more prevalent in females as a result of wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. Corns appear as white/ gray or yellow/ brown in colour depending on your skin type. Symptoms include pain and swelling around the corn and discomfort with direct pressure.
In-Growing Toe Nails
Introduction to In Growing Toe Nails
In growing toe nails are one of the most common foot complaints treated by a chiropodist. This condition can be very painful and patients may often be very reluctant to have the condition treated. However, we can assure you that this condition will not resolve itself and requires specialist care. An In growing toe nail is caused by a splinter of nail or the whole nail causing pressure to the skin. Some In growing toe nails are an acute which means that they have occurred due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which means the patient has had the problem for a long period of time. The large toe is usually affected, however, it can also affect the lesser toes.
Symptoms of In Growing Toe Nails
The condition may be aggravated by wearing tight shoes or shoes with a inadequate depth.
In an acute condition the toe will be very painful to touch and there may be presence of a infection.
In a chronic condition the toe will only be painful when the patient is walking with shoes on.
Fungus Nail
Introduction to Fungus Nail
Fungus nails is an unsightly condition which can be difficult to treat. Many patients become very conscious about a fungus nail condition and refuse to wear sandals and have their feet seen in public. It is caused by microscopic organisms called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes grow in the nail bed, beneath the nail and live off keratin, the protein in the nail. The condition usually begins towards the end of the nail and may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If the condition is left untreated, it will proceed to the base of the nail. It will attack the nail root (matrix) and cause the nail to grow very thick and deformed. The big toe is usually the first nail to be affected with the condition spreading to adjacent nails. In rare cases this condition can also affect the skin surrounding the nails.
Symptoms of Fungus Nail
The nail may become brittle and split in to several pieces.
The actual condition is not painful. However, if the nail becomes thick and deformed it may grow into the skin at an angle and become an ingrowing toe nail.
In severe cases, inflammation may arise from an ingrowing toe nail which may result in a secondary infection.
It will affect a patients day to day activities as the pressure from the nails against the shoes causes discomfort.
If the condition is left untreated for a long period of time, the nail will become very brittle and the patient may experience episodes of total removal of the nail followed by re-growth.
Appearance of Fungus Nail
At an early stage, the nail may have white or yellow patches of discoloration. There may also be yellow horizontal streaks in the nail.
At a later stage, the nail will grow thick, deformed, discoloured and have a foul odour (musty smell). It may also split and start to crumble.
Athletes Foot
Introduction to Athletes Foot
The term athlete's foot is a highly misleading name, as this condition does not only occur in athletes. Athlete's foot is a common name given to a fungus infection of the skin that predominately occurs in between toes but can occur anywhere on the foot. If left untreated the condition can spread to other parts of the foot, hands and can even affect the face.
This condition can cause a great deal of discomfort and can affect an individual's quality of life. The skin involved may be red, swollen and may contain sticky fluid. Patients may also experience a scaly dry rash on the bottom and sides of feet. This type of athlete's foot is called a "moccasin" pattern. Cracks or "fissures" can occur between the toes, sometimes with an accompanied soft white scale.
Symptoms
Symptoms include dry and itchy lesions. Patients often report a burning or stinging sensation. A common associated condition with athletes foot is a fungal nail infection. If athletes foot is not treated the lesion can become infected and extremely painful.
Bunions
Introduction to Bunions
Bunions are one of the most common forefoot deformities. A displacement of the bone under the 1st toe occurs. This causes the big toe to move towards the smaller toes. This shifting of the bones causes a bony prominence on the side of the patients foot (the bunion joint). Over a period of time the big toe may come to rest under (occasionally over) the 2nd toe.
A bunion is more common in women than men due to women wearing tighter fitting shoes. This condition can cause a variety of different soft tissue and bony complaints which may result in severe pain.
Symptoms include redness, swelling and pain which may be present along the inside margin of the foot. The patients feet may become too wide to fit into their normal size shoe and may experience moderate to severe discomfort occuring when the patient is wearing tight shoes. A "hammer toe" may occur at the 2nd toe. This is when the toe contracts and presses on the shoe. Subsequently, this may cause a corn on top of the 2nd toe.
Corns and calluses may occur on the soles of the feet, in between toes and on the bunion joint. Stiffness can occur at the big toe due to secondary arthritis, this is known as Hallux Rigidus. Other foot conditions can occur such as in growing toe nails and in severe cases the bunion joint may have a fluid filled sack called a BURSITIS. This can be very painful and can become infected
Callus:
1. A localized firm thickening of the upper layer of skin as a result of repetitive friction. A callus on the skin of the foot has become thick and hard from rubbing (as a result of repetitive friction). Calluses of the feet may lead to other problems such as serious infections. Shoes that fit well can keep calluses from forming on the feet.
2. The hard new bone substance that forms in an area of bone fracture. Bony callus is part of the bone repair process.
Also called, less often, a callosity. Both callus and callosity are derived from the Latin callum meaning thick skin.