Skin disorders can be treated with podiatry

You’re probably familiar with podiatry treating bone, joint and muscle problems in the feet and lower limbs but a major part of any podiatrist’s work involves treating skin and nail conditions. Certain skin and nail conditions are treatable using podiatry and a podiatrist will deal with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of a skin condition using a range of skills. Skin and nail conditions that are treated with podiatry include ingrowing toenails, corns, calluses, cracked heels, dry skin, plantar warts and fungal/bacterial problems. Podiatry is also an essential therapy for diabetics who can be susceptible to a number of skin conditions that are detrimental to health if left untreated.

Podiatry can help clear up skin complaints

Podiatry uses a variety of sterilised instruments, dressings, agents and orthoses (in-shoe support devices) to help skin and nail conditions. Corns and calluses are a common skin condition a podiatrist will treat. Calluses are areas of thick skin on the foot that have gone hard. Corns are smaller areas of callous with a deep condensed collection of skin cells. Corns and calluses result from persistent friction or pressure on the foot and typically appear on the ball of the foot, the heel and at the top of the toes. Podiatry treatment involves their removal which is painless.

Plantar warts appear on the sole of the foot as tough, horned growths and are caused by a virus invading the skin through a cut or abrasion. Plantar warts are painful and extremely contagious. Podiatry can offer better treatment for skin conditions such as plantar warts than over-the-counter remedies because effective recovery from the problem can involve chemical or surgical removal. Another common skin condition seen by podiatrists is athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin caused by the trichophyton fungus. The foot is a part of the body that can be warm, moist and prone to irritation which is an ideal environment for the trichophyton fungus to thrive in. Someone with athlete’s foot will have skin that is split, peeling, itchy and burning, particularly between the toes. A severe case of athlete’s foot can also have a bacterial infection that will require antibiotics. Podiatry treats fungal and bacterial skin infections such as athlete’s foot with topical creams and oral anti-fungals to eliminate the fungal spores.

Treating skin conditions in diabetics

Diabetics have poor circulation which reduces the amount of blood that flows to the foot. This can have a huge impact on the person’s resistance to any infection as well as affecting the healing of any existing infections. Nearly 5,000 diabetics a year need an amputation due to an aggressive skin infection that they were initially unaware of. There are several skin conditions that may be associated with diabetes including necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NCD), diabetic bullae and yellow skin phenomenon.

Regular visits to a trained podiatrist can prevent skin conditions in diabetics developing into something more serious. Attending a regular podiatry session can clear up skin complaints using recommended and safe products that aren’t necessarily available at the chemist. As an example, diabetics should not use corn plasters or chemical agents to treat corns and calluses.

Podiatry can help most people overcome a variety of skin conditions of the foot and also educate them on a number of self-care techniques for the prevention of skin and nail problems in the future.

Article submitted by

Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist

Date published

(09/07/08)