General Foot Care

Our podiatrists can look after all your general podiatry needs, including the treatment of calluses, bunions, corns, ingrown toenails, cracked heels and plantar warts at our St Ives podiatry clinic.

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Calluses & Corns

Calluses are thickened areas of the outer layers of skin caused by increased pressure or friction on the affected area. A callus is the body's defence mechanism that protects the underlying tissues from excessive pressure and friction. A corn is essentially a callus in which a hard plug of skin forms due to increased pressure and pushes deeper into the skin. Corns will usually cause more pain than calluses.

Podiatrists treat corns and calluses by debriding the callus and removing the central core of the corn. Pads are often used to reduce pressure and friction associated with the corn.

Our podiatrists will also discuss the type of footwear most likely to cause corns or calluses and, in some cases, prescribe orthotics to reduce excessive weight-bearing forces on the foot.

If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease or any condition that causes peripheral neuropathy, it is important to have corns and calluses treated by a podiatrist to minimise the chance of wound formation resulting from subcallucal breakdown.

Ingrowing Toenails

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail penetrates or presses against the skin adjacent to the toenail and is most common in the big toe. Pain and inflammation are usually the first symptoms, and a secondary infection may follow.

Ingrown toenails are usually caused by incorrect nail-cutting techniques, picking at the nail, acute injuries or wearing shoes that are too tight, short or narrow in the toe box.

Many ingrown toenails can be treated without surgical intervention, but conservative treatment may require regular visit to a podiatrist. If surgery is required, it can be done at the podiatry clinic, and post-operative mobility is usually unaffected. Refer to the "Nail Procedure" page for more information.

Cracked Heels (Fissures)

Cracked heels are usually caused by dry skin around the heels. Cracked heels can also become more pronounced due to an additional build-up of callus. They are referred to as heel fissures when the cracks become deep enough to potentially become infected. They are usually painful when weight-bearing on the affected areas.

Some people who have relatively dry skin are more predisposed to developing cracked heels. However, mechanical factors, such as the way you walk, may also place excessive pressure on the dry, thickened skin around the heel.

To help reduce the dryness, an oil-based moisturising cream may be recommended. The thickness of the callus needs to be reduced, but this should not be attempted at home with razor blades or scissors due to the risk of infection and the danger of removing too much skin.

Our podiatrists can safely reduce the hard, thickened skin for you in a safe and hygienic environment. Regular podiatry treatment can be an effective way to manage heel fissures. We will also investigate the cause of the problem and provide advice on self-care techniques. Orthotics may be recommended to alter the way you walk and reduce the build-up of callus.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus usually infects the subepidermal area by penetrating through small openings in the outer layer of the skin. Warts are usually found on the sole of the foot. Warts can be painful during weight-bearing because they can form in anatomical locations on the foot that are exposed to pressure and friction. Morphologically, warts appear as small lumps of hard skin with black dots and are usually painful when pinched from the sides.

Warts may disappear within a few weeks but can also last for years. They should be treated if they are spreading or painful. Treatment options for warts include:

Chemical treatments, such as salicylic acid, which is a mild acid that may be applied topically to the wart. It works by softening and removing infected tissue.
Cryotherapy works by freezing the wart with a very cold substance, such as liquid nitrogen.

Most warts require multiple treatments, with a 1–3 week follow-up period between each treatment.

Ways to prevent plantar warts from occurring include wearing protective footwear in public places such as pools, gyms, locker rooms and other warm, damp environments.