Now that autumn is here, foot health is key to getting to work on foot, those long walks through the woods or gardening. So if your looking for some TLC for your feet then don’t worry.  This blog might have the answers you’re looking for.  You don’t need to live all year round with Halloween feet!

Check out some of the most common problems, with verrucae, corns and callouses, and thickened toenails.

Verrucae

Verrucae (plantar warts) are a painful viral wart that infects your feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus and use your skin cells to replicate. Verrucae usually look like small cauliflower-like lumps, or if they are on one of the foot’s pressure points then they look like a flattened pit sometimes with black dots in the centre which are visible blood vessels supplying the wart with blood. Verrucae are transferred by foot to floor and floor to foot contact.  Therefore, walking barefoot comes with a higher risk of developing plantar warts, particularly if there are others walking barefoot in that area i.e changing rooms and swimming baths.

For more information about verruca and to determine if it is a verruca or a corn have a look at our blog post.

Corns and Callus

Corns are small plugs of hard skin that build up.  Through pressure corns are forced into your foot, onto nerves, thus causing pain.

Corns are commonly found on the pressure points of the foot as this is where most hard skin (callus) is formed. Corns and callus are often the result of poorly fitting shoes or not wearing socks.  This is because corns and callus are formed when the skin is rubbing against something i.e the edge of the shoe. So the best way to prevent corns is by using the correct shoes and reducing rubbing where possible. Corns can look similar to verrucae, however, you can often tell a corn apart from a verruca by pressing and squeezing them.  Corns will often hurt while pressing, but verrucae will hurt more when squeezing.

Thickened Toenails

Thickened toenails are either the result of trauma to the nail or just old age. When an injury occurs to the nail, whether it is by ill-fitting shoes, stubbing your toe, or playing sports regularly, the nail plate can become disfigured causing the nail to thicken over time.

As we age, toenails can thicken naturally.  Thickened nails are usually difficult to cut and can be more brittle than normal nails which can lead to accidents where the skin might become damaged.  If you have thickened toenails, then you can book an appointment at We Fix Feet

Fungal Toenail Infection

Fungal Toenail Infections can cause thickened toenails as well, but they can also cause other problems like odour and discolouration. The fungus thickens the nails by growing under the nail causing it to be pushed up. The fungus can get under the nail through breaks in the nail or where the nail meets the nail bed. if you suspect fungal nail, then consider booking a 5-minute fungal nail test.

If you have verrucae, corns and callouses, thickened toenails, or you just want some TLC for your feet visit our multi-award winning footcare clinics in Beeston or Ilkeston. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with one of our Foot Healthcare Experts and rid yourself of Halloween Feet.