Chiropody Belfast

Fit feet for summer

This month, Apex Clinic’s chiropody and podiatry specialists share their top tips for combating some irritatingly common foot conditions. Why not treat your feet this summer to stamp out pain and avoid the embarrassment of flaky feet?

If the shoe fits…

The wrong choice of shoe can do more than just damage your image. Although most foot problems are caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes, skin, nail, ankle, shin, back and knee complaints may also follow from lengthy periods of wearing inappropriate footwear.

We advise keeping the killer heels for special occasions. Equally, don’t be tempted to spend the summer months in flat sandals or flip-flops, as these will not provide enough arch support for your feet and may result in pain if worn for too long. Try rotating your choice of shoe, opting for support and comfort. Shoes with a slight wedge are better than flats as they release tension from the ball of the foot and ligaments.

Calluses, corns and dry skin

Many people think applying cream will cure calluses or dry skin on their heels or soles. No amount of skin moisturising cream will solve the problem of hard, dry skin or calluses. The best way to solve this is to visit a chiropodist who will painlessly remove dry skin with a scalpel.

The same is true for corns; these irritating and often painful conical-shaped areas of hard skin can be removed, without pain, leading mostly to an immediate 90 to 95% reduction in pain.

For patients suffering from a repeated buildup of dry skin, often resulting in cracking and bleeding heels or soles, prescription of insoles (orthoses) may be necessary to improve the way the foot moves.
Verrucas

Verrucas are caused by the same highly contagious skin-to-skin viral infection that causes warts. They are most common in children and are picked up in moist environments such as public swimming baths. Of course, prevention is always better than cure; we recommend wearing flip flops between the changing room and pool side etc.

At Apex Clinic, we offer two main treatments for verrucas, both with very high success rates: the application of monochloroacetic acid or silver nitrate. Both are relatively pain free and as a result are suitable for children as well as adults. In rare cases, our chiropodists may advise that the verruca is surgically removed.

Achy arches and foot pain

Given how much running around we all do, it is little wonder that so many of us suffer from painful, tired and achy feet. Apex Clinic podiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating foot pain which, in many cases, stems from poor foot function.

Common foot conditions such as fallen arches (flat feet), if left untreated, can cause painful symptoms not only in the feet, arches and heels, but also in the ankles, shins, calves, knees, hips and lower back.

Once diagnosed, our podiatrists can prescribe orthoses (or insoles) to support the arches, relieving pressure and reducing pain.

Your feet are your platform; take action now to treat and beat painful, embarrassing foot problems!