Narration for third Video - Common Foot Problems

Hello, I’m Andrea Keenan, a podiatrist at The Foot Care Centre in Clonmel. In this video I’d like to talk to you about two of the most common foot problems we see in clinic; corns and athlete’s foot.

I’ll give a brief explanation of what they are, what causes them and how to treat and prevent them.

During this video there will be references and links to other sources of reliable information, such asthe NHS, where you can explore these topics in more detail.
Corns are areas of thickened skin that may develop anywhere on the foot and, if left untreated, canbecome increasingly painful and impact mobility.

They are typically classified into three types: hard corns, which are most common and often described as feeling like a stone in the shoe; soft corns, which generally occur between the toes due to moisture and friction and seed corns found on the ball of the foot.
The primary cause of corns is excessive pressure or friction, most frequently resulting from ill-fitting footwear. However, structural variations in foot anatomy such as bunions, hammertoes and other bony prominences also contribute by altering weight distribution and increasing localised pressure.

Effective management involves professional removal of the corn using a scalpel which provides
immediate relief, followed by advice on appropriate footwear and preventative measures to reduce reoccurrence. Strategies include wearing properly fitting shoes, using insoles to redistribute pressure and applying gel toe separators, digital caps, or padding to minimise friction, particularly between the toes. Individuals with fragile skin or impaired circulation, such as those with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, are strongly advised to seek early intervention as delayed treatment may lead to further complications and increased risk of infection or ulceration.

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal skin infection which thrives in warm, moist environments and affects the spaces between the toes and the sole and sides of the feet. Symptoms include an annoying itch, redness and cracked or peeling skin and sometimes a mild odour. If left untreated it can lead to secondary bacterial infections such as cellulitis, especially in individuals with compromised skin or underlying health conditions. It is commonly caused by not drying your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Wearing tight, non-breathable shoes or keeping feet in damp socks for prolonged periods can also encourage the growth of the fungus.
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For the use of The Foot Care Centre only – not for unauthorised copy, publication or distribution. Treatment usually involves using antifungal creams, sprays or gels. It is important to keep using them for the full recommended guide time, even if symptoms start to get better, to ensure the infection iscompletely gone.

Prevention focuses on keeping the feet clean and dry. This includes changing your socks and washing feet daily, drying thoroughly, especially between the toes. Footwear should be breathable and well ventilated and shoes should be allowed to dry out fully between uses. Taking these simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of developing athlete’s foot and help maintain healthy feet.

Thank you for watching this video, I hope it was of some help to you. There are two further videos in this section discussing good foot care and helpful information to guide your choices about hosiery and footwear. Please contact me at The Foot Care Centre in Clonmel if I can be of any further service.

Disclaimer:
This video provides general information intended to broaden your understanding of foot
health. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your doctor for advice specific to your individual medical needs.

References and links to further information third video – Common Foot Problems

https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/library/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/Foot-Health.pdf
https://www.esht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1018.pdf
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/podiatry/foot-health/problems/
https://rcpod.org.uk/common-foot-problems/athletes-foot
https://rcpod.org.uk/common-foot-problems/corns-callus
https://www.chiropody.co.uk/what-we-treat/skin-problems/athletes-foot.php
https://www.chiropody.co.uk/what-we-treat/skin-problems/corns.php
https://podipedia.co.uk/athletes-foot-blog/
https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/callosities-and-corns

Here at The Footcare Centre, Clonmel, we have a wealth of expert information to help you take care or your feet.

Don’t bring back an unwanted poolside virus, the dreaded Verruca.
A verruca is a wart found on the soles of your foot and around the toes and is caused by a virus.
Verruca can be contagious and transmitted through direct person-to-person contact. They tend to be more common in children, teenagers and young adults but they can reappear at any age.

Most verruca disappear by themselves especially in young people. But if your verruca is painful,
unsightly and bothering you, you may wish to treat them. The most commonly used treatments for verruca include paring to remove the surrounding hard skin, which causes the pain, and then the use of cryotherapy (freezing) or occlusal tape (zinc oxide or kinesiology) to provoke an immune response to attack the virus.

How to avoid catching a verruca?
Always wear footwear, flip flops or crocs, or swimming socks in communal areas like around the
pool, in gyms, communal showers, changing rooms etc. If you do get a verruca, avoid touching or scratching it and never pick at them. Keep your feet clean and dry and see your foot health
practitioner for further information on treatments.

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​​Do you know someone who suffers from Diabetes?  Do they have regular foot care check-ups in accordance with best practice for people with Diabetes?
 
Diabetes is a serious illness and if left uncontrolled, may cause nerve damage reducing the sensations in your feet.  It may also reduce blood flow to the feet which inhibits the healing of wounds and can allow infection to be introduced.
 
Good foot care guidelines would include

• Inspecting your feet daily where you can see changes before they become problems such as blisters, swelling or nail issues.
• Be gentle when bathing your feet; never use hot water and always dry between your toes.  If you cannot use a towel, use paper towel, it may be easier.
• Have your feet cared for, nail cutting, corn removal etc, with a fully qualified Foot Health Practitioner as wounds or cuts to your feet could lead to ulceration if left untreated.
• Wear socks and shoes made specifically for people living with Diabetes.  Gentle Grip socks that won’t create a “tourniquet” effect at your ankles and doesn’t have seams to irritate your toes.  Wider fit shoes will give your feet room in case of swelling, hammer toes and bunions – removing pressure points and making movement easier.
  

 
Having to alter the way you walk due to bad feet can also affect your other joints such as knees and hips and create pain in your lower back.  See Andrea Keenan at The Foot Care Centre for diabetic foot checks and any foot issues you may have.

​Are you enjoying the sunshine and getting out in the fresh air – keeping in mind social isolating.  Vitamin D, called the Sunshine Vitamin, is a unique vitamin that people just don’t get enough of, especially in Ireland. 
 
Spring/Summer are the best times to enjoy being outdoor and connecting with the healing power of nature.  Vitamin D can also be taken as a supplement and occurs naturally in a few foods, including some fish, egg yolks and in fortified dairy and grain products. 
 
Vitamin D is an essential for strong bones, helping to prevent Osteoprosis, including in the foot and ankle; also helps your gut health by assisting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus – two minerals that are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones; promoting skin cell growth, repair and can prevent premature aging; improves your mood, we smile more when the sun is shining.
 
Deficiency in Vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection – it helps keep our immune systems balanced during the cold and flu season, very important at this time and helps your body absorb calcium and promote bone growth.

Some tips that will help you safely enjoy the sunlight:

• Only spend a short amount of time (approximately 30 minutes) in the midday sun to increase your body’s absorption of Vitamin D.
• Always use a sunscreen with a high PF factor to protect your skin.
• Use sunglasses to protect your eyesight.
• See your GP immediately if you see a new lesion or growth or changes in your skin; colour, size or shape or a sore that doesn’t heal.
• When having your annual blood check up have your GP check your Vitamin D levels.

 
As with everything, getting a healthy sun intake is a balancing act.

​It is very important for Seniors to take proper care of their feet for lots of reasons as foot problems tend to occur as we age. 
 
Feet lose cushioning/footpad over time and the nails grow thick and brittle.  Many Seniors experience reduced blood flow and this can delay healing of foot sores.  Bony deformities such as bunions and hammer toes, toenail disorders and arthritis are very common foot problems in older people.
 
Here are some Senior foot care tips for improved health and why foot care is important.

• If your feet are sore there is normally a reason for that so please don’t ignore any pain.  It could be due to corns or hard skin or maybe footwear that doesn’t fit correctly or may be old and need replenishing. 
• Proper fitting footwear is absolutely vital for everyone – too big and your foot moves around and too small and it creates pressure points which could lead to corns or callus or in severe cases, ulceration.
• Keep feet clean – this way you can more easily notice any changes to your skin or nails and visit your Foot Health Practitioner if concerned.
• Once you have cleaned them, you should moisturise your feet, but never between your toes as that can encourage fungal or bacterial infections.  Again, moisturising your feet will help reduce callus, help you to notice any changes in skin temperature or condition and rehydrate your skin.
• Movement like walking or golf or some other physical activity promotes circulation and good foot health.

 
At The Foot Care Centre we can help you to alleviate any problem you may have and also sell specialised gentle grip socks for people suffering from Diabetes and Oedema and wider fitting shoes and boots to accommodate any issues such hammer toes and bunions.

​​Recently I have been lucky enough to avail of some excellent online study during these extraordinary times.  I have completed all sorts of topics from Dementia Care to Verruca to taking advantage of the training from the Local Enterprise Office for the Training Online Voucher, expertly bought to us by Noel Davidson of The Entrepreneurs Academy.
 
During his online training, Noel told us about Ivy Bean who at the grand young age of 102, became an internet sensation.  Ivy Bean was on twitter @ivybean104 and each year she changed her tag to include her age.  Ivy Bean died at the ripe old age of 104, Rest in Peace Ivy.  Note to Noel, you now need to update your post!
 
Social media is a fabulous tool for a small business like The Foot Care Centre.  You can stretch your reach to a customer anywhere in the world, you just need the tools – an excellent website; good content and an e-commerce section to enable your customers to make sales, book appointments and contact you by email.
 
And excellent training is key – if you are unable to access or utilise all the benefits of social and digital media – you are missing out and so are your customers.