Shore Podiatry

01/10/2022

Difficult to manage fungal nails problem? Book into clinic for assessment, advice and treatment.

26/08/2022

26/08/2022

26/08/2022

24/01/2022

Home visit available on Thursday 10th February on the Island for anyone who may be housebound . Direct message me (June) for further information.

24/11/2021

November is National Diabetes Month.
Know the importance of wearing the right footwear.

22/11/2021

November is National Diabetes Month.
Foot problems are preventable - know the importance of checking your feet regularly. With thanks to Dr Judith Anders at feelyourfeet
(https://www.feelyourfeet.com/)

28/07/2021

Looking forward to this exciting new venture. Clinic opening Wednesday 4th August at 18 East Princes Street, Rothesay. Thanks to Bute signs & graphics and everyone who helped make this happen 😁🦵🦶👣

18/07/2021

What is an ingrowing toenail?
An ingrowing toenail is a nail that is growing into the skin down the side of a nail. They can be red, painful and swollen and easily get infected. They can also produce hypergranulation which is a bulbous area of tissue which often weeps or bleeds.

They are similar to, but not the same as an involuted toenail which is when the nail is curved and the edges cause pain and irritation but don’t necessarily grow into the skin.

How can I help myself?
Nail problems are often caused by poor cutting technique, trauma, picking your nails, or badly fitting footwear. Genetic elements and the shape of your feet and toes may also play a part.

Preventing them occurring can be helped by good cutting and nail care techniques and appropriate footwear selection.

If you start to get an ingrowing toe nail, bathing the foot in luke warm, salt water for 5 minutes 1-2 times a day may help prevent it becoming too bad.

You need to also address any aggravating footwear or socks that could be putting pressure on the nails.

Although it is tempting to pick or cut down the side of the toe nail when they are hurting, it can make the problem worse or introduce an infection. If the ingrowing toe nail is mild, gently brushing down the side of the nail with a clean, soft toothbrush whilst salt water bathing may help keep the skin and nail apart and allow the nail to grow out, but do not do this if it is painful.

When to see a Podiatrist?
Most true ingrowing toe nails need professional treatment, in the early stages, if you see a Podiatrist, they may be able to help the nail grow out, most Podiatrists can also supply antibiotics. Antibiotics can help treat an infection, but if the root cause of the problem is not addressed, infection often reoccurs.

If the nail cannot be managed conservatively by a Podiatrist, it may be worth considering a partial or total nail removal. This is carried out under local anaesthetic by your podiatrist. Once the nail is removed, the nail matrix is usually treated with a chemical called phenol which helps to prevent nail regrowth and recurrence of the problem. It is only minor surgery but will take usually 6-12 weeks to heal depending on your health and lifestyle. You need to discuss the exact risks and healing times of the procedure with the podiatrist you see prior to having the surgery.

In the case of partial nail avulsion (just having the side(s) removed) the nail should look quite normal once healed (just slightly narrower) and the skin at the side of the toe will just grow up to the side of the nail. In the case of full nail removal (total nail avulsion), the nail bed will harden when it is healed like skin. Regrowth of the nail or part of the nail can occur but is less common.

If you make an appointment to see a podiatrist about an ingrowing toe nail, the first appointment will usually be an assessment and conservative and surgical options can be discussed then.

05/01/2021

PODIATRY IS HEALTHCARE. Following the latest government announcement that Scotland has entered a new national lockdown, the college of Podiatry have updated all members advising podiatry healthcare is exempt from restrictions and foot/lower limb healthcare should continue to enable people to get the treatment they need, and to prevent unnecessary foot and lower limb complications due to not receiving appropriate care.👣🦵

08/10/2020

Happy International Podiatry day everyone. Our feet are more important than many of us think. Not only do they help keep us upright and mobile, but the health of our feet can even indicate how healthy we are in other parts of our body. Foot health is a big issue that everyone should be aware of. International podiatry day is about making sure that everyone knows just how essential it is to look after our feet.
👣🦶🏃🏻‍♀️💃