It’s the season for ghosts, goblins, zombies, and things that go bump in the night…but what if it’s your feet that are really scary-looking this Halloween?
What can cause freaky feet?
Firstly, you don’t have to suffer from freaky feet at any time of the year. There are a whole lot of foot problems that can change the appearance of your feet and toes, but here’s the thing: many of these issues aren’t just cosmetic. For that reason, we urge you to come and get those creepy creepers checked out in our clinic so you’re still able to enjoy trick or treating at Halloween.
There are a few different conditions that could cause you to develop on your feet. Here are just a few of the worst offenders.
Smelly Feet
The main causes of smelly feet are a build-up of sweat and bacteria on them and fungal infections like athlete’s foot. The amount you sweat can be affected by: hot weather and exercise.
What causes stinky feet?
Bromodosis, or smelly feet, is a very common medical condition. It’s due to a buildup of sweat, which results in bacteria growth on the skin. This bacteria causes bad odours. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also lead to bromodosis
How do I get rid of sweaty feet?
Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap; be sure to wash between the toes. Dry the feet thoroughly, then apply foot powder or an antifungal powder to your feet. Wear wicking socks made of natural or acrylic fibre blends that draw moisture away from your feet instead of trapping it.
Thickened Toenails
What causes toenails to get thick?
Thick toenails come from a buildup of the cells that make up your toenails. Three possible causes are increased age, nail fungus, and nail psoriasis (an autoimmune disease).
How does a foot health professional treat thickened toenails?
Our clinical team will regularly reduce thickened toenails as part of a general foot care treatment to maintain them.
Fungal nails
What does nail fungus look like?
Whitish to yellow-brown discolouration. Brittle, crumbly or ragged. Distorted in shape. A dark colour, caused by debris building up under your nail.
What causes fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infections develop when your feet are constantly warm and damp. You’re more likely to get an infection if you wear trainers for a long time and have hot, sweaty feet
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience:
- Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened distorted toenails.
- Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete’s foot.
- Infection of the surrounding areas which causes cracked skin, and increases bacterial spread.
Verruca or wart?
What does a verruca look like?
A verruca can seem remarkably similar in appearance to a corn. It develops into a hard callus lump much the same as a corn but there are a few subtle differences. Sometimes (not always depending on the depth of the verruca) you can see black dots on the hard skin
How do you get rid of verrucas?
We offer a variety of methods to treat warts and verrucas. These include:
- Swift Microwave Therapy – the most effective treatment
- Plasma removal
- Verrutop
- Cryosurgery
So this Halloween why not turn those freaky feet into fantastic feet?
Remember to stay safe and treat your feet right this Halloween!
If you are suffering from any of the above conditions, then book an appointment at our Podiatry and Foot Health clinics in the East Midlands. Our clinics are located in Beeston, Nottingham and Ilkeston, Derby.