Walk is now closed for the festive season and will reopen again in the new year.

Thank you to all of our patients and colleagues for your continued support and custom during 2012.  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year!

We look forward to welcoming you in 2013 for all of your foot care needs.

If you need to contact us during the holiday period then please use the mobile number or email, both of which can be found here.

Kind regards,

Walk Specialist Footcare

Tips for looking after winter feet.

Now that the weather is getting colder and each morning generally brings some frost on the ground, it is vitally important that you take good care of your feet.

This time of year brings with it numerous challenges (dark nights, cold weather, slippery ground, christmas shopping, etc) so looking after your feet during these cold months is vitally important.  The tips below will help you to avoid problems.

1. Make sure that your shoes are appropriate for the activity - cold weather means that protecting them from the elements is important.  Also having a good quality grippy sole for those days when there is ice and snow on the ground will stop you slipping over and causing other injuries.  Even if you don't fall, you may tear or damage yourself leading to a long period of recovery.  If your job involves wearing shoes which don't fit the above criteria, consider changing your shoes when you get to work.

2. Don't get cold feet - exposure to the cold weather can cause a variety of symptoms, such as tenderness, pain and even breaks in the skin.  Chilblains,  an inflammatory skin condition related to an abnormal response to the cold, can be problematic and lead to further issues.  They are more common in females, but can affect anyone, especially those with poor circulation such as the elderly where they can become broken and potentially infected.  Ensure that your feet are warm and covered before going outside and when coming inside again, don't remove shoes too quickly.

3. Buy some good quality socks - while it doesn't sound nice, in winter shoes your feet will be more enclosed leading to an increase in sweating.  Socks made from natural fibres, such as cotton, allow your feet to breathe and can wick moisture from the skin.  Also make sure that you wash your socks at high temperature to reduce the chance of athlete's foot.

4. Pamper yourself! - make sure you maintain your daily routine of washing with a moisturising soap, drying well and applying a good quality emollient to keep the skin healthy.  Keep an eye on your nails; pressure from footwear may lead to an ingrowing nail.  

5. Visit a podiatrist for a foot MOT!  Podiatrists can help maintain the health of your feet and treat any problems you may have.  If you are concerned about the health of your feet or just want a foot check to make sure you are ready for the winter period, then please get in touch.

If you have any problems with your feet and legs, or questions and queries regarding your foot health then please contact us on 077 666 888 29 or 01562 51 56 61.  You can also contact us via email - contact@walkfootcare.co.uk.

Diabetes: 10 steps towards healthy feet.

The following hints and tips are adapted from Diabetes UK and while they focus upon diabetic foot health, a number are also pertinent to all patients.

1. Make sure that you attend your annual foot review.  Your bare feet will be examined by an appropriately trained person such as a podiatrist.  They will then be able to inform you of your risk of developing foot problems and whether referral to another health care professional is required.

2. Check your feet every day for any signs of redness, pain, damage to the skin, swelling or build up of hard skin.  If you are unable to examine your feet then ensure that a family member or carer can do this for you.  If problems are found early then the risk of complications can be reduced.  If you find any of the above then it is important to have it checked with an appropriately trained health care professional.

3. Be aware of any loss of sensation in your feet.  Don't go barefoot and avoid extremes of temperature if you think you have lost feeling in any part of your feet.

4. Always wear well fitting shoes that protect and support your feet and whenever possible don't wear shoes with bare feet.  Foot shape changes as you age and it is important to be aware of changes which have occurred.  If you are buying shoes, your feet become more swollen towards the latter part of the day - this is the best time to buy shoes as it represents your feet at their largest.

5. Look after your toenails.  Don't cut down the sides of your nails as this could lead to an ingrowing toenail.  If you have difficulty with your foot care then contact your local podiatrist for advice and assistance.

6. Avoid the use of corn plasters and self treatment of hard skin with blades as these may damage your skin.  Always seek advice and assistance from a podiatrist.

7. Always wash your feet daily with a good quality moisturising soapfollowed by thorough drying, especially between the toes.  This prevents the build up of fungus and bacteria which can lead to further problems.  Use of a good quality moisturising cream afterwards can help to keep the skin healthy.  For advice on moisturising creams ask your podiatrist.

8. Maintain a healthy and consistent blood glucose level.  This ensures that your diabetes is well controlled as studies have shows that poor glucose control leads to complications such as nerve damage and circulatory problems.  Your GP will ensure that you have appropriately spaced blood glucose checks and it is important that you attend for these.

9. Attend an education course to help you understand and manage your diabetes.  Your should be offered and have the opportunity to attend courses in your local area.

10. Visit a podiatrist!  Podiatrists can help to treat and maintain the health of your feet and are a valuable source of support and information.

If you have any problems with your feet and legs, or questions and queries regarding your foot health then please call 077 666 888 29 or 01562 51 56 61.

A focus on verrucas.

Verrucae or plantar warts are a common, infectious and sometimes painful problem.  It is estimated that 4-5% of children and adolescents have warts or verrucas.  They are caused by infection via the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  Most verrucae will spontaneously regress within approximately 2 years.  They are commonly found in children, young adults and those with a compromised immune system.

Are warts contagious?

Yes, however the risk of passing them on to others is low.  Skin to skin contact is required and you are more at risk is the skin is damaged, broken or macerated; for example in swimming pools and changing rooms.

Verrucas can be passed to other parts of the body via scratching and picking.  To reduce the chance of passing on verrucae:

•           Do not share towels
•           When swimming cover your verruca with a waterproof plaster
•           Wear flip-flops in communal shower rooms
•           Do not share socks or shoes

What treatments are available?

Your Podiatrist will undertake a full assessment to ensure that you are suitable for treatment.  The aim of any verruca treatment is to stimulate the immune system to fight the infection.

At Walk there are four treatments we use to treat verrucas - which one we advise will be based on your previous management. 

Debridement and filing - removal of excess verruca tissue and stimulation of the immune system.  This is the easiest method and may cause a small amount of bleeding.

Silver Nitrate - application of a caustic after debridement of the verruca.  THis can cause local staining of the skin and requires regular visits to the podiatrist.

Cryotherapy - following debridement of the verruca, liquid nitrogen is applied to the area twice, with a period of thawing in between.  Up to six treatments are provided; however, the verrucas may resolve in less time that this.  This approach can be painful.

Autoimmunisation/needling - local anaesthetic is used to numb the area being treated.  Then the area is cleaned and sterile needle is used to puncture the verrucas multiple times.  The initial injection is often painful; however, with this approach a single treatment is often required and only one area needs to be treated.

If you have any questions about verrucas or any foot and leg problems then please get in touch.

Call us on 01562 515661 or 077 666 888 29 to book your appointment.