Foot Care
Calluses and Corns
Calluses are hard, thickened areas of skin. These layers of thick skin can cause foot pain if they develop on weight bearing areas, such as under the ball of the foot or on the heel.
Corns are a localized area of pressure with causes the skin to build up like a cone into the foot. This build up of skin causes pressure on the underlying bone causing pain with walking.
Fungal Toenails
Nail fungus appears as thickened, discoloured toenails. As the fungal infection progresses, the nail can become brittle, crumbly, distorted or very thickened. This can cause the nail to separate from the underlying skin. These changes to the nail may cause pain, difficulty wearing certain shoes or lead to a possible infection.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. Fungus and bacteria are everywhere and all it takes is a small portal of entry for fungus to affect the skin on the feet, Since fungus likes moist environments, it often affects the feet since they are often covered with socks and in shoes.
Plantar Warts
A plantar wart is a lesion on the sole of the foot that can cause pain. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are often mistaken for a callus or a corn. Multiple tiny black spots can sometimes be seen on the wart as this is the wart’s blood supply.
Ingrown Toenails
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Calluses and Corns
Calluses are hard, thickened areas of skin. These layers of thick skin can cause foot pain if they develop on weight bearing areas, such as under the ball of the foot or on the heel. Excessive callus formation can lead to the breakdown of tissue underneath the hard skin, which can lead to an ulceration/wound and possibly infection.
Corns are a localized area of pressure with causes the skin to build up like a cone into the foot. This build up of skin causes pressure on the underlying bone causing pain with walking.
What causes calluses and corns to form?
Excessive pressure or friction
Uneven weight distribution
Faulty foot mechanics
Ill-fitting footwear
What are the signs and symptoms of calluses and corns?
Pain localized to one area
Thickened skin
Feeling of walking on a stone or pebble
If you notice thickened skin or discomfort when walking please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Fungal Toenails
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) appears as thickened, discoloured toenails. As the fungal infection progresses, the nail can become brittle, crumbly, distorted or very thickened. This can cause the nail to separate from the underlying skin. These changes to the nail may cause pain, difficulty wearing certain shoes or lead to a possible infection.
What causes fungal nails?
Walking barefoot on a moist surface where others also walk (public change room, public, pool)
Sharing socks or shoes with someone who has an active fungal infection.
Using the same shower facilities with someone who has a fungal infection.
What are the signs and symptoms of fungal toenails?
Thickened toenails
Discolored toenails
Brittle or crumbly toenails
Redness surrounding the nail surface
Foul odour
If you notice thickened or discoloured toenails and think you may have a fungal infection please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. Fungus and bacteria are everywhere and all it takes is a small portal of entry for fungus to affect the skin on the feet, Since fungus likes moist environments, it often affects the feet since they are often covered with socks and in shoes. This is why many people who complain of sweaty feet often have problems with chronic athlete’s foot.
What causes athletes foot?
Feet are in a moist/wet environment for long periods of time
If you do not change your socks or wash feet on a regular basis you are more susceptible.
Wearing closed, non-breathable shoes
What are the signs and symptoms of Athlete’s foot?
Red and itchy skin
Cracked, flaking or peeling skin between the toes or side of the foot
Unpleasant odour, smelly feet
If you have itchy, red skin and think you may have athletes foot please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Plantar Warts
A plantar wart is a lesion on the sole of the foot that can cause pain. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are often mistaken for a callus or a corn. Multiple tiny black spots can sometimes be seen on the wart as this is the wart’s blood supply.
What is the cause of a plantar wart?
Walking barefoot on a moist surface where others also walk (public change room, public, pool)
Sharing socks or shoes with someone who has a plantar wart.
Using the same shower facilities with someone who has a plantar wart.
What are the signs and symptoms of a wart?
A hard, palpable bump on the skin
Small black dots overlying the skin
A break in the normal skin lines of the foot
If you notice a bump on the skin of your foot or see little black dots and think you may have a plantar wart please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of nail grows down and into the skin surrounding the nail. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail could turn into an infection in the skin.
What is the cause of an ingrown toenail?
· Improper nail cutting technique
· Trauma to the toenail
· Ill-fitting footwear
What are the signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Painful, tender toe
Red, warm and mildly swollen toe
Possible yellowish or whitish coloured drainage (pus)
Pain from the sheets hitting the toe in bed
If you have pain along the inside or outside of your toenail or notice redness and swelling and think you may have an ingrown toenail please contact the Orleans Foot Care Clinic at (613) 834-2224 to book an appointment.