At some time in your life, you will likely come across one or more of the foot problems detailed below. Here are some ways of dealing with these issues:

Nail fungus:

These thickened and yellow nails are difficult to treat, mostly because the typical topical treatments do not get to the right depth of the fungal organisms. Oral medications are effective, though they can take many months and lead to side effects and liver problems. A chiropodist will assess the level of damage and recommend options to resolve the problem for good. Nail gels are very effective and topical treatments are most effective when the chiropodist first files the nail down to the right level for the topical agent to work.

Athlete’s foot:

This usually occurs between the toes, but can be found on other parts of the foot as well. It can look like dry skin, but moisturizers do not rid this problem. Signs of fungus include dry, itchy, scaling skin, redness and even blistering. Fungal organisms thrive in dark and moist environments such as between the toes, so ensure the area is kept dry and change your socks regularly as you perspire. It is also important to avoid walking barefoot in public areas, especially showers and locker rooms. If these self-care techniques are not working, visit your chiropodist for further care and guidance.

Heel cracks:

There are many skin creams on the market that are touted to resolve heel cracks and fissures. The reason they do not work is that the dead and calloused skin needs to be removed first and effectively, so the skin can come together to heal. By preparing the skin and utilizing strapping, the skin fissures adhere and heal. Besides dry skin and prolonged standing, many do not realize that foot wear is also a major contributing factor in the development of heel fissures, such as open back and thin-soled foot wear. A chiropodist is your best choice for the best solution.

To arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.