Healthcare for your feet
General Footcare
At The Courtyard Clinic general treatment of the feet is an important part of what we do – we believe that prevention is better than cure.
Some of the conditions treated are:
- Corns
- Callus
- Ingrown Toenails
- Heel cracks
- Plantar warts
- Fungal nail infection
These are often recurring conditions that can easily and painlessly be treated during a general treatment consultation.
Callus and Cracked Heels
Callus describes an area of thickened skin. As skin thickens, it becomes less flexible and this can be uncomfortable to walk on. Particularly in summer, callus can also
fissure and crack particularly around the heels.
This is painful and often too-far developed for a hand file or pumice stone to remove in the bath! Scalpel debridement is a fast and instant reduction in thick skin, and advice regarding footwear and topical emollient can be helpful in reducing callus formation.
Corns
Corns are due to mechanical friction (often from footwear) or pressure on the skin, such as over bony prominences under the ball of the foot or between toes. As the tissue experiences increased pressure, the body attempts to protect itself by laying down a layer of callus. If this callus builds up focally over a small area, then the compacted hard tissue will build inwards and can result in painful lesions. Patients describe a sharp pain “like a piece of glass”.
Corns can sometimes build inward so deeply they can cause bruising and bleeding under the skin. If left unattended, this can result in an ulcer or wound. This is particularly dangerous in a Diabetic or immunosuppressed person who may then be vulnerable to infection and complication
Ingrown Toe Nails
Involuted nails have rounded curved edges and irritate the sulcus (gutter) of the nail. As the nail grows in length,
the curved edge tends to “pinch” tighter and can be painful as it clears the skin. Sometimes the curved edge can cut into the flesh and result in an infection. Read more about Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Plantar Warts/Verrucae
Verrucae warts are commonly found on the sole of the foot, and are due to the Human Papilloma Virus.
Generally, warts are self-limiting – meaning they can resolve by themselves. The time frame for this differs between patients and can be from a few months to a few years! If the warts are spreading or becoming painful, then treatment is advised.
Fungal Nail Infections
A fungal nail infection (Onychomycosis) is a common infection that can involve any part of the nail. It is most common in toenails, but can rarely occur in fingernails as well. Read more about Fungal Nail Infections Treatment.