Podiatry vs Chiropody: What’s in a name?

Podiatry vs Chiropody: What’s in a name?

Unhealthy, painful feet can stop us in our tracks, both physically and mentally. So, surely such an important area of health deserves protected titles and a clear distinction between practitioner roles. However, this is not necessarily the case. Whereas the likes of...
Is nail reconstruction for me?

Is nail reconstruction for me?

Our feet work hard for us, and over time, with ill-fitting footwear and injuries nails can become thickened, damaged, distorted and discoloured. This can lead embarrassment about your nail appearance and feeling like you have no treatment options left to get a normal...

The latest treatment in fungal nails

Would you like a quick, pain-free highly successful treatment for fungal nails? Why are fungal nails so hard to treat? About half of the patients I treat are suffering from fungal nails. Fungal nails are notoriously difficult to treat because nail isn’t very porous....
Why do I need to test my fungal nail?

Why do I need to test my fungal nail?

Have you got a fungal nail? Have you been treating it for months with no effect? Are you sure that it is definitely a fungal nail you are treating? Every week I see lots of patients who come to me for fungal nail treatment. Usually they have tried every over the...
Does Tea Tree oil treat fungal nails?

Does Tea Tree oil treat fungal nails?

Last week I saw two patients who booked a podiatry assessment because they thought they had uncontrolled athletes’ foot. They both presented with a red, overly itchy rash which hadn’t responded to over the counter athletes foot creams. One patient only had the skin...
Are Corn plasters safe to use?

Are Corn plasters safe to use?

Corn plasters are a medicated treatment marketed for the quick and easy removal and treatment of corns. They are readily available in most shops and chemists – I have even seen them sold in a petrol station! They can be brought relatively cheaply with no advice,...
Why are my heels splitting and cracking?

Why are my heels splitting and cracking?

One of the most common complaints we see as Podiatrists is heels splittng and cracking. During the warmer weather particularly, we are more prone to cracked heels. These can be painful and sometimes bleed. The most common causes are footwear (open backed shoes) and...
Easing the pain associated with osteoarthritis

Easing the pain associated with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition which causes pain and swelling to joints in the body. It is very different from Rheumatoid arthritis which we will look at in the coming weeks. In the UK it is thought around 8 million people suffer from the condition. It is more common...