Skin & Nail conditions
There are many Dermatological conditions that affect the feet.
Here are some of the ones we commonly see at the clinic.
Corns
The visible portion of the corn tends to be round, but corns are actually cone-shaped and painful inwardly directed callus/dead skin. They usually form at a pressure point near a bone, or on a weight-bearing area.
Pressure on the corn pushes this "root" deeper into the flesh which causes pain and trouble walking.
Ingrown toenail
This condition most commonly affects the big toe. It occurs when the toenail embeds into the surrounding skin of the toe, either by growing into the skin, or by the skin extending over the edges of the nail.
Cracked Heels
Heel fissures are a common foot problem. When the cracks become deep, standing, walking or any pressure placed on the heel can be painful. Deep cracks can also bleed and in some cases, they can become infected, and lead to cellulitis.
The skin starts off as dry and thickened around the edge of the heel, and as pressure increases on the fat pad underneath the heel, the heel expands outwards which causes the dry, thick skin to split.
Plantar Wart/Verruca
A plantar wart is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It often appears as a cauliflower-like lump with small black dots on its surface. When they appear on a weightbearing surface of the foot, walking or standing can be painful.
Athletes Foot
Tinea Pedis is a contagious fungal skin infection that usually begins between the toes. Typically, the skin will develop an itchy, scaly rash.
Fungal Nails
Fungal nails often result from untreated tinea pedis (Athlete's foot). It may also follow an injury to the nail or inflammatory disease of the nail.
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Other conditions can look like fungal nails so before treatment starts, a proper diagnosis should be made.
Retronychia
An ingrown nail plate at the base of the nail, usually caused by trauma.
Often there is yellow discoloration of the nail, detachment of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis), and painful inflammation of the skin at the base of the nail.
Callus
A callus is an area of thickened and sometimes hardened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation.
Nail Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a complex disease that can involve the skin, nails and joints.
If the nail is damaged from psoriasis, a secondary fungal nail infection can also develop.