LB Foot Health Practitioner

Before the craziness of Christmas properly kicks in this weekend I would like to thank all my patients for yet another brilliant year of keeping me so so busy and somewhat out of trouble 😜 You are all amazing! I've been thoroughly spoiled again this year with gifts and tips and I want you to know his utterly grateful I am 🎁😍 See you all in 2024 🫶

I always hugely appreciate receiving messages like this 💕 it makes MY day ☺️

Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is an extremely painful condition. It occurs when the edge of a nail pe*****tes the surrounding tissues of the toe (usually the big toe) and causes swelling, inflammation and infection. Ingrown toenails are commonly caused by poorly fitting shoes, but they can also be caused by improper trimming or by trauma.

When an individual experiences an ingrown toenail, it is not uncommon for them to attempt to rectify the problem themselves to alleviate their discomfort. In the vast majority of cases this serves only to irritate the nail wall, cause infection and worsen the condition.

Painful nails can also occur without the nail penetrating the toe. Shoe pressure on the nail wall can result in callus (hard skin formation) in the nail groove. If untreated this can build up and cause inflammation and infection. With this condition many people believe they have an ingrown toenail and frequently dig down into the groove to cut the nail, which in turn causes an ingrown toenail.

The treatment of ingrown toe nails is initially centred on conservative management. This means the Foot Health Practitioner removes the offending splinter of nail and the toe is dressed. Review appointments are made to ensure the nail does not pe*****te the nail wall upon re-growth. Frequently ingrown toenails can be persistent and troublesome. In such cases nail surgery is recommended. If surgery is considered the best way forward your Foot Health Practitioner can arrange a referral to a Podiatrist who undertakes nail surgery.

As it's National Feet Week 👣, I will be sharing some useful posts.

Today's post is all about Diabetes and foot care.

The Diabetic Foot

It's especially important to look after your feet if you have diabetes. Here's how to take care of your feet and advice on when to get professional help.

Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling known as peripheral neuropathy.

This can mean foot injuries don't heal well and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured.

"The risk of complications can be greatly reduced if you're able to bring your blood sugar levels under control," says foot specialist Mike O'Neill.

"Ensure that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also monitored and controlled with medication if needed."

Foot care tips if you have diabetes

You should have your feet checked as part of your annual diabetes review. You may be eligible for an NHS podiatrist if you have diabetes and symptoms affecting your feet such as numbness. Ask your GP for a referral.

Keep your feet clean and free from infection.

Wear shoes that fit well and don't squeeze or rub. Ill-fitting shoes can cause corns and calluses, ulcers and nail problems.

Never walk barefoot, especially in the garden or on the beach on holidays, to avoid cuts and try to avoid sitting with your legs crossed so you don't constrict your blood circulation.

Cut or file your toenails regularly.

Get corns or hard skin treated by a Foot Health Practitioner.

Stop smoking to protect your feet

If you have diabetes, it's important to try to stop smoking. Smoking impairs the blood circulation, particularly in people with diabetes. It can seriously worsen foot and leg problems.

Read more about how the NHS can help you stop smoking.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep active

You should also aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep active if you have diabetes.

This can help you to manage your diabetes and reduce the risk of getting problems with your feet and legs.

When to see a doctor

Seek treatment from your GP or Foot Health Practitioner if blisters or injuries don't heal quickly.

You should see your doctor urgently if:

you notice breaks in the skin of your foot, or discharge seeping from the wound. The skin over part or all of the foot changes colour and becomes more red, blue, pale or dark. You notice extra swelling in your feet where there was a blister or injury or there is redness or swelling around an ulcer or in an area where you have previously been warned, to seek immediate attention.

Diabetes UK has more information on how to look after your feet.

Appointments 📔🖊

I am currently unable to take on any new patients (unless you live in the same house as a current patient).

I will update my page when I have availability but currently I do not have capacity for new patients.

If you are struggling to find someone please do let me know and I can pass on contact details for other local 'foot people' 👌

I'm always so sad to lose a patient 😞 and feel for their loved ones too. So its much appreciated to then receive lovely feedback from their family 😊

I hope the New Year has started well for everyone 🙏

I am now fully booked & unable to take on any new patients until the end of April 🫣

As always I am so very grateful to everyone who chooses to book with me and use my services ❤️ Thank you 🥰

Very kind and thoughtful gift from some very lovely patients 😊 ❤️

Would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm feeling very overwhelmed by all the generous gifts/tips and cards that I've received this year 😍 Please know that I appreciate everything!

Thank you all so so much...I have the best job 🥰

Christmas working hours:

My last working day for 2022 will be Thursday 22nd December and I will be back to it on Wednesday the 4th January 2023.

If you have an urgent need between those dates then do call and something will be sorted for you.

December is fully booked & the first 3 weeks of January are already almost full too.

Not a bad day at the 'office' today 😉

☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

Some more lovely feedback 😊 I absolutely love my job. Feel very lucky to have so many lovely, kind patients 💕

I've had some lovely feedback recently 😊 Messages like this really are so appreciated 🥰

It's summer 😎 and the time of year I get a lot of calls about...

⚠️Cracked Heels ⚠️

There are many potential causes of cracked heels. Dry skin (xerosis) is common and can get worse with wearing open-back shoes/flip flops, increased weight or increased friction from the back of shoes 👞

Dry, cracked skin can also be a subtle sign of more significant problems, such as diabetes or loss of nerve function (autonomic neuropathy).

Diagnosis of Cracked Heels/Fissures:

Diagnosis can be made by your Foot Health Practioner or Chiropodist with a clinical exam. They will look at your medical history and discuss your lifestyle/footwear to find the source of the dry skin.

Treatment for Cracked Heels/Fissures:

At home treatments are the first line for thick callused heels/cracks & fissures.

Moisturise feet twice a day paying particular attention to the heels. Look for moisturisers with ingredients including alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acids, or urea (10-25 percent).

As the callused area thins you may switch to creams with ceramides, petroleum or natural oils to keep the skin soft. Soak feet in warm (not hot) water for 10 minutes a day.Use manual exfoliation (scrub brush or pumice stone) with light pressure to remove excess dead skin.

The 'damp sock' 🧦 technique can also be used. * I have a handout regarding this that I can give to you at your appointment *

Ah how lovely is this weather 😍 ☀️

I am now fully booked until the end of August 😬

If you have an urgent need then do contact me and I will do my best to help you.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far 🤗☀️

Important appointment information:

I have a very small amount of appointments left for the end of June and July.

The summer holidays are fast approaching and I will be working reduced hours/days in August and also the beginning of September whilst my youngest is being phased into school.

I will always do my best to try and fit people in but during the school holidays this is not always possible.

😊

Last week was Foot Health Week 🦶🦶

Below is a link with lots of useful information including how to choose the right type of shoe for you 😀

https://rcpod.org.uk/fhw

Foot Health Week 2022 Foot Health Week 2022

Appointments:

I am currently taking bookings for May 📔🖊🗓

April is fully booked 🙂

Some lovely feedback received yesterday 😀

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

🎅🌲🎁

I am logging out of social media until after Christmas so please call if you have a urgent enquiry/need otherwise all messages will be replied too in the New Year.

Can I also thank you all for another fantastic year of following my page, liking my posts and booking appointments with me. I really do have the best patients ❤

Half term is almost over! I have been going through my diary this morning and I am fully booked for November and December is filling up fast.

If you are a new patient and are considering an appointment then please do call ASAP as I only have limited space for any new patients now and I'm only able to see those within an 8 mile radius of Devizes unless you live with or very near too someone already on my books.

As always thank you to those who continue to support me/recommend me and book appointments with me 🤩

Due to a large increase in work load in recent times I am temporarily closing my books to new patients who live outside of an 8 mile radius to Devizes. The exception to this is if I currently see someone in your household already 😊

🙌

Health Education England is launching the standards for the foot health support workforce as part of work to increase the supply of podiatrists and expand the role of the support workforce in the NHS.

The new standards for the foot health support workforce will ensure that the NHS recognises the knowledge and skills of the wider foot health support workforce.

These standards will support the NHS to utilise the full skills mix of the foot health workforce by providing a clear understanding of the footcare treatments that the NHS podiatry support workforce and foot health practitioners can safely perform. The needs and safety of patients is central in this work. Employers and managers can use the Standards to effectively plan, develop, and deploy their support workforce. For more information visit https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/allied-health-professions/education-employment/future-proofing-podiatry-workforce/standards-foot-health-workforce

Find out more and access Health Education England’s standards for the foot health support workforce