Skin Conditions

Calluses (Thickened Skin)

Callus (hyperkeratosis) is a build-up of thickened skin that develops in areas of high friction or pressure. Calluses usually occur on the soles of the feet but can occur on other parts of the feet exposed to long term friction. Some common places calluses form are; bottom of the forefoot, around the heels and the tips of the toes.

It is recommended that people with diabetes be screened and treated regularly to prevent the build-up of callus which could potentially lead to ulcers forming underneath as the skin.

At Sydney Foot Clinic, the treatment of most calluses are simple and respond well to conservative care. Treatment may involve debridement (removing) of the callus, padding, deflective the pressure and education to prevent further future callus formation.

Corns

Corns are a painful area of thickened skin that develop after long standing callus and can be extremely painful to walk on. Corns are usually hard and circular, with a waxy or translucent centre. At the centre of a corn is often a very dense knot of skin called a core, which is located over the area of greatest friction or pressure. Some common causes of corns include ill-fitting footwear (tight), flat feet or bony prominences of the foot (bunions, hammer toe, arthritis).

The two main types of corns experienced are;

• Hard corn – appear on the top and sides of toes and the bottom of the foot
• Soft corn – appear in between the toes (commonly occur in between the 4^th and 5^th toes)

At Sydney Foot Clinic we help by removing the corn, determining the ause of corn, providing padding, strapping and silicon wedges that try and prevent the corn from reoccurring. Orthotic therapy may be used to redistribute high areas of pressure and thus reducing the risk of a corn developing.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a very common contagious fungal skin condition that affects the sole of the foot and the skin between the toes.

There a variety of fungi that cause athletes foot. It is easily spread between people and can be contracted from walking barefoot in communal areas such as showers, bathrooms and swimming pools, nail salons or contaminated clothing at the gym. Up to 70% of the population may develop athlete’s foot at some time.

Symptoms
Some common symptoms of the infection include;

• Itchiness
• Redness
• Peeling/flaking/scaling of skin on the soles of the feet or between the toes

Treatment
At Sydney Foot Clinic, some of the treatment/management offered for athlete’s foot include;

• Accurate diagnosis
• Recommending appropriate anti-fungal medication
• Removing any dead or flaky skin
• Education about foot care to prevent any further reoccurrence of the infection