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During the course of my working day I am asked many questions, here are just a few of the most frequently asked
Q. What is the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist?
A. Podiatry is the American term for Chiropody and is increasingly used alongside the English term, but there is no difference between these two. Both are protected titles under recent government legislation. From July 2005 anyone wishing to use these titles must be registered with the Health Professions Council, you can check the list of registered Chiropodists and Podiatrists at www.hpc-uk.org
Q. What is a corn?
A. A corn is the point on your foot where you take most pressure from walking, or footwear. The body builds up hard skin to protect areas of pressure and the corn becomes a nucleus, a lot of people think a corn has a root, and that you need to remove the root in order to get rid of the corn.
This is not the case. A corn on the sole of the foot is hard skin which tends to become cone shaped, pressing into your foot. Your chiropodist removes these with a scalpel blade. Corns are normally painless to remove as they are just dead skin, but do not attempt this yourself or use corn removal pads as they can seriously damage healthy skin.
There are other types of corn, the most common of which is a soft corn and is found between your toes. Again this is due to pressure. Whilst being soft they are incredibly uncomfortable often causing a burning sensation between the toes and again these can be easily removed by your chiropodist.
Q. Will my corns come back?
A. The short answer is probably. Corns are caused by local pressure and if you can eliminate that pressure you can eliminate the corn. In practice however this is often not possible especially where the corn is caused by a bony prominence.
Q. How can I tell if I have a corn or a verruca?
A. A verruca is a viral infection, known as the Human Papilloma virus which also causes warts on fingers, whereas a corn and callus are simply layers of dead skin. Verrucae tend to be painful to pinch but not to press whereas a corn tends to hurt when you press but not when you pinch it. A verruca often has black dots in it and can look like a cauliflower. Corns and callus are more likely to affect weight bearing areas, verrucae can appear on any area.
Q. Are Verrucae infectious?
A. Verrucae are transmitted by direct or indirect contact. All you need is a small micro scratch or breach in the skin’s surface and if it comes into contact with the virus it can take hold. Walking around bare-footed in a communal environment such as changing rooms or swimming pools are most associated with picking up the virus. It is also possible in hotel bathrooms, gyms, and even sharing a towel with an infected person. To try and avoid catching one, wear flip flops, or if you already have a verruca, keep it covered to prevent the virus being spread.
Q. Why do I get hard skin?
A. Hard skin is caused by pressure on your foot and this is the body’s way of protecting that area. In summer, hard, cracked skin on heels and balls of feet are very common and is often causes by wearing footwear which rubs the skin. Use a pumice or a foot file to gently rub away the hard skin then use a rich moisturising cream. For more serious hard skin see your chiropodist for advice and treatment.
Q.Why do diabetics need to take special care of their feet?
A. Diabetes, whether insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent, is a disease that has a nasty effect on many parts of the body and in particular the feet. The three main factors that cause concern are; the blood supply to the feet is reduced because of disease in the arteries and smaller blood vessels making them thinner. The sense of feeling is reduced or disappears completely because of peripheral neuropathy.
The immune response system is greatly reduced thereby the patient is not able to fight off infection. It is possible for diabetics to walk around with splinters, thorns or even drawing pins in their feet and not know they are there. Therefore the resulting infection will be very difficult to treat because the body is not able to help itself due to diminished blood supply and immune system.
The result very often is a diabetic ulcer, leading to gangrene and amputation. By being careful and having regular trips to the chiropodist and the doctor the condition can be successfully controlled without the need for such severe conclusions.
Any diabetic should never in any circumstances walk around barefooted, and they should also visit their chiropodist regularly to have their nails cut and their feet checked over properly.