Taking good care of your feet consists of cutting your nails and debriding corns and calluses. Corns are the result of a natural physiological process, and are produced by excessive pressure to the sole of the foot. They can sometimes be painful, especially in the presence of cracks and plantar calluses. In these cases, debriding the corns and calluses will decrease the pressure and relieve the pain.

Apart from fungi, several other conditions can affect nails and change their appearance. For example, nails can sometimes thicken, making cutting them a challenge. A podiatrist will be able to file the nails down and take care of any other issues.

Diabetics and sufferers of vascular disease have a greater risk of developing foot complications, especially if they do not look after their feet properly. For these people, receiving regular foot care is an effective way to prevent these complications.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail enters the skin, and causes inflammation and pain. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to a serious infection. The causes of onychocryptosis are many: poorly-cut toenails, trauma, improper footwear, or even just a naturally bent nail. Ingrown toenails will show signs such as redness, swelling, tenderness, and even discharge if an infection is present.

A podiatrist will be able to evaluate the severity of the condition and offer the most appropriate treatment, which will be either a bevelled cut of the ingrown nail, or minor surgery. In the case of surgery, the patient is given local anesthetic and the ingrown part of the nail is permanently removed, leaving an aesthetically-pleasing result. The procedure is simple and the patient will usually be able to return to their normal activities the following day.

Plantar warts are caused by a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and occur in the surface layers of the skin (the basal layer of the epidermis). Sufferers usually catch this virus in humid environments, such as showers and public pools. It is a benign condition that is easily spread from one person to another. A good way to prevent catching plantar warts is to never walk barefoot in public areas.

Because the skin on the soles of the feet is thicker than skin elsewhere on the body, the usual topical treatments are less effective for plantar warts. This is why podiatrists offer several other treatments, as well as remove dead skin to expose the virus.

An appointment with your podiatrist may be needed to verify the most appropriate treatment, depending on the size, location and history of the wart. Also, certain treatments may require several sessions.

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects either the toenail itself or the skin directly beneath it (the nail bed). The fungus usually makes the nail thick, yellowish, and difficult to cut. Sometimes the nail will even change texture or become detached. This is a progressive disease that can extend to the nail root.

Repeated traumas and other conditions can thicken nails. You may have to visit your podiatrist, who can assess the problem and establish a treatment plan. The podiatrist will trim down the nail and may prescribe certain medications. A visit to the doctor may even be necessary for more aggressive treatments, such as oral medication.

Feet can suffer from many skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, athlete's foot, hyperhidrosis, and dryness. These conditions are not always painful, but their appearance may be embarrassing and distressing for the patient. If pain is present, it may be accompanied by burning sensations, itching, and increased sensitivity.

A podiatrist can assess the condition and find the cause in order to fix the problem. In the case of athlete's foot (which is actually a fungal skin infection), a podiatrist can prescribe a cream to destroy the microorganisms. For hyperhidrosis, several treatments are available to prevent excessive sweating and to control odor.

After a workout, you may find that you feel pain. Whether you are new to exercise, an amateur returning to physical activity, or even a top athlete, no-one is immune to sports injuries. Exercise can cause painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis, medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), painful bunions caused by running, or excessive muscle fatigue.

In addition, a misalignment of the foot can cause musculoskeletal problems, which manifest themselves as pain and discomfort, not only in the muscles and joints of the foot, but also in the knees, hip and back.

Your podiatrist will be able to ascertain the cause of the pain encountered during your exercise, and establish an appropriate treatment plan. This can range from simply choosing better shoes or muscle strengthening exercises, to physical therapy or even a prescription of foot orthotics.

An infant’s gait evolves constantly as they grow up. In fact, most children do not have a fully mature gait until seven years of age. It is generally well-known that flat feet are normal in children younger than three. However, as some children grow up, their arch never forms, which can cause symptoms such as excessive fatigue from walking and pain while running. It is not uncommon to see such children walk with their feet turned inward, which can be problematic because they tend to stumble and lose their balance often.

Of course, children can develop other conditions as well. A podiatrist can assess and monitor your child to ensure optimal development. Your podiatrist can also advise you on ways to help your child overcome their bad postural habits that may be affecting their postural development.

Diabetes is a condition that is becoming increasingly common in the population. Diabetics have to take special care of their feet, because diabetes can easily cause damage in this particular area of the body. For example, a high blood sugar level can lead to damaged nerves, which causes diabetics to lose sensation in their feet. It is therefore important that diabetics inspect their feet daily, and to adopt a healthy lifestyle to ensure the health of the skin and nails of their feet.

Diabetes also damages small blood vessels, including those of their feet, eyes and kidneys. This leads to a diminished blood supply, meaning small injuries will take longer to heal. A diabetic may find that an annual visit to the podiatrist is useful to stay on top of their feet’s health. A podiatrist can also cut their toenails safely and effectively, as well as give advice to diabetics on how to take care of their feet themselves.