When a bony prominence of the foot experiences continued pressure or friction from an opposing surface the tissues can become thickened and more tough resulting in a corn developing. They vary is size, shape and severity and tend to be more common in women, especially those who constantly wear tight or narrow shoes.
What Causes A Corn?
The most common cause of a corn developing is due to ill-fitting footwear, especially tight or narrow fitting shoes that cause the toes to become cramped into a small space where pressure builds up and friction between the shoe and the tissues of the foot occurs. Sometimes a deformity of the foot may be to blame, especially those with hammer toes or bunions as these condition force prominences to develop and increase the risk of some areas of tissue to feel pressure and rub against the shoe, when it normally wouldn’t.
Signs And Symptoms
Most often seen on the top of the toes, corns can begin as areas of hard skin that become sore and red as the pressure on them continues. As they grow, the tissue can become discoloured taking on a greyish, brown or yellowing appearance. They usually appear as a circular area and sometimes a ‘root’ will be apparent towards the centre of the corn. They do often occur in other areas of the foot such as in between the toes or more rarely on the sole of the foot and can often involve nerve tissues that results in pain and discomfort.
The term callus is given to an area of hardened skin that has become toughened over time due to repeated friction and pressure to the area. These areas are usually found on the toes, feet and sometimes hands. They are not serious or particularly detrimental to overall health but can cause significant discomfort to the person, or if left untreated can carry the possibility of leading to an infection developing.
Why do Calluses form?
The usual cause of a callus forming is due to constant pressure to the area or from continual rubbing and friction. When a callus develops on the foot it is usually because of ill-fitting shoes, or if found on the sole of the foot, because of spending too much time doing lots of physical activity such as long distance running, hiking or even dancing barefoot.
Sometimes socks can be blamed for calluses, as the seams may rub or become trapped between the toes beginning the process of areas of friction and redness occurring. Very rarely a callus may be a side effect of another illness such as syphilis or because of a reaction to some substances that can cause the tissues to thicken and harden.
Signs and Symptoms
Calluses often begin with a reddened area that is painful, usually from shoes that rub. If the same shoes are worn continually, a callus can grow. In their early stages of development, they may feel as though they are burning or throbbing, but as it ages and grows, it often becomes less acutely painful, but the increase in size can lead to the wearing of many different types of shoes uncomfortable. Calluses vary in size and shape from person to person and can be yellow, white or even greyish in colour.
In general we wait until our toenails catch on our bedclothes or socks before we cut them, yet it is far safer and better for us to take care of them on a regular basis.
Nail trimming is more than simply nail cutting. We have nails on our toes as protection & nails should be cut following the shape of the curve, not too short, leaving the corners just clear of the fleshy part of the toe.
If a nail is cut straight across, two sharp corners are left which pose a threat to adjacent toes. A gentle curved nail looks best, feels comfortable and protects the toe adequately.
Nails should never be cut down the side as this will often lead to an ingrowing toenail. It may make the nail feel more comfortable for a few days but as the nail grows up the problem will reoccur again.
The nail is a dynamic object which will advance. We anticipate that advance and make provision for it.
What is a Fungal Nail?
A fungal nail is a unsightly condition which can be difficult to treat. Fungal nail usually begins towards the far end of the nail. It may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If fungal nail is left untreated, it will proceed to the base of the nail. It will attack the nail root (matrix) and cause the nail to grow very thick and deformed. The big toe is usually the first nail to be affected with fungal nail. It can spread to adjacent toenails. In rare cases, fungal nail will also affect the skin surrounding the nails. If fungal nail is not treated for along period of time, the nail will become very brittle.
What Causes Fungal Nail?
Fungal nail is caused by microscopic organisms called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes thrive on warm, moist conditions. They grow in the nail bed, beneath the nail and live off keratin. Keratin is the protein in the nail.
What Does Fungal Nail Look Like?
In early stages, the nail may have white or yellow patches of color, and yellow horizontal streaks in the nail. In later stages, the nail will be thick, deformed, discolored and have a foul smell. In some cases, the nail splits and crumbles.
Symptoms of Fungal Nail
The most common symptoms of fungus nail are brittle nail, split nail, thick and deformed nail, yellow or white patches of color on the nail, yellow horizontal streaks in the nail and nail changes on one or more nails (usually toenails).
In a normal and healthy state fungus and bacteria can live quite happily on the skin causing no problems at all, however, some forms of these bugs or high quantities develop and fungal infections can occur.
Types of Fungal Infection
Fungal organisms live off a substance called keratin that is found in the skin, therefore this is normally where fungal disorders develop and thrive. There are many different forms of fungal infections, but those affecting the foot or nail are usually confined to either athlete’s foot (tinea pedia), or an infection of the nail (onycomycosis).
Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections are often caused by an untreated fungal skin infection, such as athlete’s foot. The fungus spreads to the nail and can grow underneath the nail where it continues to multiply. These infections are also more commonly seen in those with other conditions such as diabetes, heart or vascular disease when the circulation to the feet can become depleted. They are also more likely to develop in those who live in hot or humid climates when the feet do not have a chance to cool.
Affecting just one or all of the nails, and can be spread very easily to the fingernails, these infections often present as a discolouration of the nail accompanied by a thickening of the nail, which can become dry and flaky. The nail may lift and the surrounding skin can become red and inflamed as this occurs.
Nails can become thickened usually as a result of damage or neglect. The condition may be complicated by the presence of a fungal infection, which will also make the nail crumbly. When the nail is thick it can become very uncomfortable and will often press on shoes or dig into other toes. It may be seen on single or multiple toes, often depending on the cause.
Thick nails are often very difficult and sometimes painful to cut. Our electric files are very versatile, and used carefully can do a lot of good work, reducing mass and thickness and restoring flexibility. Shape, growth and surface texture can also be improved.
How does Diabetes affect feet?
About one in five people with diabetes enters the hospital for foot problems. Many people with diabetes have mild to severe nerve damage. This can cause diminished feeling in the feet. As a result, you may not feel cuts, scratches, and breaks in the skin on your feet. These wounds can lead to unnoticed infection.
Specific Foot Problems
Calluses, Ulcers, Loss of feeling (Neuropathy), Poor Circulation, Amputation.
Calluses
Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. Calluses, if not trimmed, get very thick, break down, and turn into ulcers (open sores).
Foot Ulcers
Ulcers occur most often over the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers on the sides of the foot are usually due to poorly fitting shoes. Neglecting an ulcer can result in infections, which in turn can lead to loss of a limb.
Neuropathy
Diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy) also can lessen your ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Loss of feeling may mean that you might not feel a foot injury.
Poor Circulation
Poor circulation (blood flow) can make your foot less able to fight infection and to heal.
Amputation
If the above problems are not cared for, amputation of the foot or leg may result.
What are the benefits of a foot massage?
There are many benefits of this type of massage, including the most basic: it feels good. The feet are many times the hardest worked of all body parts. They are what hold your weight up all day long, and the longer you walk or stand, the more tired they will become. By receiving a foot massage, the patient can experience relaxation as well as pain relief.
As well as the most basic benefits, there are many other benefits to foot massage as well. Take zone reflex therapy as an example: the belief in this type of foot massage therapy is that the beginning of all reflex zones is in the feet, and by rubbing and manipulating these areas of the feet, healing can occur. Based on this belief, a regular foot massage could also have healing qualities because the necessary zones may be rubbed and manipulated.
Another benefit is the release of stress. There have been studies performed on patients of heart surgery that showed there was a significant decrease in the stress of patients after a foot massage. This could mean that a foot massage not only causes relaxation due to less stress, but better health as well. Since heart disease is linked with mental well-being (i.e. too much stress can lead to a heart attack), the foot massage can be indirectly causing better overall health, as well as recovery and prevention.
Paraffin wax treatment is a luxurious spa service intended to moisturize and soften the skin. Paraffin wax treatments have been medically endorsed since 1962. The warm paraffin is one of the most effective ways of applying heat to reduce the swelling in muscles, decrease inflammation of joints and connective tissues, soothe the pain from arthritis and improve circulation.
