Nail Cutting

It’s a well-known fact that the older we get, the further away our feet seem to get!

If you find you’re having difficulty reaching down to cut your own nails or you’re cutting your toes trying to manage them with the garden shears then it’s time to get some help!

Correct nail cutting is essential to prevent problems occurring such as ingrown toenails or cuts to the skin so if you’re finding it hard to cut them for reasons such as impaired vision or mobility issues then it’s important to get someone else to do it for you.

Callus

A callus is a build up of hard skin, most commonly found over areas of increased friction such as around the heels and to the sides of the big and little toes. Left to build up, callus can become increasingly painful to walk on and can cause pressure to the underlying structures of the skin causing bleeding beneath the skin (known as extravasation). The pain can cause the sufferer to walk with an altered gait leading to further problems.

Callus is removed quickly and easily by sharp debridement (scalpel) method with no excessive filing or cheese graters!

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are caused by excessive friction around the heel, resulting in heavy callus which can split and bleed and be extremely painful. They are usually the result of poorly fitting footwear… Flip-flops are not your friends!!!

As with other callus, we use sharp debridement to remove the hardened skin, leaving your feet supple again. You will be given advice on appropriate footwear and the use of urea-based creams to return the skin to its much happier, natural, condition.

Corns

Corns are defined areas of hard skin found over points of excess pressure. They are often found on the tops of ‘hammer toes’, the sides of the little toes, or on the ball of the foot as the result of pressure from footwear.

We use sharp debridement (scalpel) techniques to remove the corn and can provide padding and devices to relieve pressure and advice to prevent them from reoccurring.

Please, please, please… DO NOT be tempted to try medicated corn removal plasters. They contain an acid which causes a chemical burn to the skin and does more harm than good most of the time.

Thick Nails

As we age, our nails are exposed to repeated trauma. Our toes love nothing more than to try to make close friends with door frames, bed posts, coffee tables, heavy jars and horse’s hooves. As a result of all this trauma, our nails can often become permanently damaged and grow very thick which can make them unsightly and very difficult to cut.

Thick nails are no match for us, we can cut through anything! We can also thin down your thick nails to give them a far more ‘normal’ shape and appearance.

Fungal Nails

Despite the plethora of treatments available to buy, all promising miracle results in completely impossible timescales, fungal nails can be very difficult to treat.

Every person is different and fungal nails require a tailored treatment plan to be effective. We will work with you to find the most appropriate treatment and will liaise with your GP to request medication if required.

Skin Infections

Conditions such as Athletes Foot can be embarrassing and persistent but with the correct treatment and advice, your condition can be treated and kept at bay. There is an abundance of treatments available in shops and pharmacies, most of which can be effective if used consistently and correctly, however, it’s especially important to follow good advice around foot hygiene.

We can work with you to find the best treatment options for you.

Ingrowing Toenails

Ingrowing toenails can be excruciatingly painful, often becoming infected and requiring antibiotic treatment, and in some case, nail surgery. If a piece of nail has become embedded in the skin, then it is likely that antibiotics will not solve the issue and the infection will keep reoccurring.

Early intervention at the first sign of an ingrown toenail can prevent infection occurring and provide instant pain relief.

If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, even if you feel there is an infection present, please get in touch and we will aim to see you as quickly as possible to remove the ingrown spike non—surgically.

If we feel the problem has gone too far or the pain is such that you would need an anaesthetic, then we will refer you to a podiatrist, (either privately or via the NHS) to discuss surgical options.

The Feet in Diabetes…

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the UK and its prevalence is increasing.

At the time of writing, in 2022, there are currently over 4 million confirmed cases with a suspected additional 1 million of unconfirmed cases and the number is set to continue rising, expected to reach over 5 million confirmed cases by 2025.

The risk of foot problems in people with diabetes is increased, largely because of either diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage or degeneration) or peripheral arterial disease (poor blood supply due to diseased large- and medium-sized blood vessels in the legs), or both.

Peripheral arterial disease affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes over the age of 50, and can also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The life expectancy of people with diabetes is shortened by up to 15 years, and 75% die of macrovascular complications.

Foot complications are common in people with diabetes. It is estimated that 10% of people with diabetes will have a diabetic foot ulcer at some point in their lives. A foot ulcer can be defined as a localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, below the ankle, in a person with diabetes.

For this reason, regular footcare is essential for all diabetics. Prevention is always better than cure and a qualified foot professional (foot health practitioner, chiropodist or podiatrist) is trained to spot the early warning signs which can indicate more serious problems.

With early intervention and management, the majority of diabetic foot ulcers are entirely preventable.

At Faversham Feet, we are trained and insured to treat diabetic feet. Clients with diabetes will be given a neurovascular assessment, similar to that provided by their diabetes specialist nurse, which will help us to assess their risk factors and monitor and manage their feet accordingly.

Diabetes UK (www.diabetes.org.uk) are an excellent source of information and advice around managing your feet in diabetes but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and always make sure you are having your feet checked by a professional at regular intervals.