What is Podiatry?
Podiatry is a specialist area of healthcare, allied to medicine which involves care and maintenance of foot and lower limb conditions.
Our podiatry aim is to improve the independence, mobility and general quality of life of our patients.
We specialise in providing assessments and treatments that are focused on relieving symptoms and pain, improving function, preventing disease and improving the independence and wellbeing of both adults and children.
Who needs to see a podiatrist?
Prevention is always better than a cure. So if your feet hurt then your body is telling you that something is wrong. Foot problems can be prevented and managed by visiting a podiatrist regularly for a foot health check-up.
What can a podiatrist do for me?
- Recognise & treat painful foot problems
- Provide treatment and care if you are unable to reach or maintain your own feet
- Help to manage & prevent foot problems associated with conditions such as diabetes & arthritis
- Offer specialist advice if you require insoles
- Provide advice and treat foot problems associated with sport & fitness activities
- Give advice on footwear & general footcare
What types of treatment are available
We offer the full range of specialist advice and treatments for all for foot related conditions including:
- Nail care (including ingrowing toenails, fungal infections)
- Biomechanics (including gait analysis and the provision of prescriptive insoles)
- Heel pain
- Corn and callus reduction
- Diabetic screening
- Wound care
- Blisters
- Children’s foot health/care
- Foot health education and advice
- Cracked Heels
What are corns and calluses?
Corns and calluses are a build of hard, thickened dead skin that can become painful.
These are caused by excessive pressure or friction, and the common cause is wearing poor fitting shoes.
A Podiatrist is skilled to cut away the corn or callus using a blade and give advice on how to help it reoccurring.
Corn
Two different types of corns
- Hard corn: Commonly occur on the tops of toes or on the outer side of the little toes. Other high pressure areas on the soles of the feet and heels can also develop corns.
- Soft Corn: Develops in between the toes, usually the fourth and fifth inter digital area is affected. These corns become soft due to the sweat and are more at risk of getting infected.
Corns have a defined centre, which becomes painful and needs specialist enuculation/removal.
Callus
A callus is larger and broader in size compared to a corn. Occurs on the bottom of the foot just under the toes. Does not have a defined edge or center. Becomes very uncomfortable when walking especially when wearing high heels. If it is left untreated it can develop into a corn.
Common causes of callus:
- Loss of padding underneath the foot. Elderly people have less fatty padding under their feet; skin is fragile and is more at risk of developing calluses.
- Thin soled shoes, less shock absorption when walking causes the skin to thicken.
- Dry Skin.
- Regular physical activities/sports that put constant pressure on one area.
Treatment
Corns and calluses need treatment from a Podiatrist.
- The Podiatrist will asses if it is a corn or a callus.
- Establish the cause.
- They will check and advise on your footwear.
- Advise on any padding that can be of benefit.
- The Podiatrist will use a scalpel blade to remove the callus or enuculate the corn. This procedure is usually pain free. The removal of a deep longstanding corn may feel uncomfortable.
Our Podiatrist at Lotus Holistic has over 10 years of clinical experience. Trained, qualified and practiced in the UK
