Sue Turner, D.P.M
I am a podiatrist (foot doctor) based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since 1991 I have had the privilege of treating people and their foot problems - I've seen over 18,000 pair. Wow, that is a lot of feet, and a lot of people attached to those feet! I love every challenge that comes my way and have a keen interest in attempting to solve what appear to be unsolvable problems for people. Sometimes people come in limping and they leap away!
Nail and Skin
Only the most common problems will be discussed here.
Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
It presents in many different ways. It can be dry and flaky (usually in small circles on the bottoms or sides of the feet) or it can be moist with blisters that are itchy. It can exist in combination with bacterial infections, which can create an angry redness and discomfort. It can be between the toes, at the ends of the toes or on the bottoms or sides of the feet. It can be itchy, but not always. It can affect the nails as well as the skin. It can be acute and sporadic or chronic and never-ending. Some people have sweaty feet and are more prone to it. It is not caused by lack of cleanliness (in most cases). It can be picked up at swimming pools, in gyms, from any wet floor, from a partner or house mate. It is common and usually easy to treat. It is usually worth the time and effort to see a podiatrist and get a proper diagnosis and prescription for the most effective medications.
Fungal Toenails
Very common and often distressing. Difficult to treat. New oral medications (pills) are 75% effective (according to their literature) and don't guarantee that the problem can't recur. The new medications are relatively safe as opposed to the older oral anti-fungals which caused liver distress, there can still be side effects. Fungal toenails can be treated with topical solutions (creams do NOT work) but this method is less effective. Though it sounds barbaric, removal of the toenail (under local anesthetic) (by a professional) will improve the chances that a topical solution will work.
Ingrown Toenails
These are more common in women because of the footwear that tends to squeeze the toes. The shape of the nail can be modified over time by wearing too-tight shoes. This can create a chronic ingrown toenail. If a toenail continually grows into the nail border and creates discomfort or infection, most likely a nail procedure will be required to eliminate the problem. This involves a local anesthetic, removal of the nail border, destruction of the nail matrix (growth centre for the nail), one to two weeks of diligent soaking and taking care of the healing tissues. It is a highly successful procedure by experienced practitioners. If you have an infected ingrown toenail, see a podiatrist. The nail border that is digging into the skin and creating the infection can be removed. Once this is done, there is usually no need for antibiotics. Anyone who has diabetes or poor blood flow should see a podiatrist or medical doctor immediately if this problem arises.
Difficult Toenails
Toenails can be thick, fungal, painful, crumbly and downright impossible to cut oneself. Podiatrists manage these difficult toenails using proper instruments. Again, anyone with diabetes or poor blood flow should never ever cut their own toenails.
Corns
Often confused with warts, corns are a discrete area of thick skin that usually cause pain. They are located on toes, between toes, on the bottom of the foot and overlying bunions. They can be trimmed but they will usually come back. To eliminate them completely, an assessment must be done to determine why they exist. Often they are shoe related and sometimes they are caused by bony prominences. Sometimes, surgical excision of the bony part is the best option. Always try conservative options first. Corn pads with acid destroy the top layer of skin. Often the corn goes much deeper than the acid can reach. The best way to treat them is to see a podiatrist - have them assessed for the underlying cause, have them trimmed and padded and take a good hard look at what shoes you have that may be causing them.
Callouses
Usually on the bottom of the feet - forefoot area or heels most commonly, they indicate an increase in weightbearing pressure. They are sometimes associated with dry skin. People who wear sandals alot will have more callousing. High arched feet and severe flatfeet tend to develop callouses. It's a good idea to have the problem assessed by a podiatrist and then to carry on home treatment on an ongoing basis. Sometimes padding, insoles and orthotics can eliminate this problem.
Blisters
They show up on the backs of heels most often, sometimes on the bottom of the foot or toes, between toes or over any bony prominence. Blisters can literally form in minutes. If a shoe rubs against the skin repeatedly a blister will usually form. It is the body's way of saying, hey, stop that! If you are developing blisters in new shoes - ascertain that the shoes aren't too small first. If the heel is rubbing, simply place a round one inch square piece of moleskin over the irritated area. If a blister has already developed, cut a hole out of the centre of the moleskin and place it where the blister is. Then cover the whole dressing with a bandaid. This should keep shoe pressure off the blister. You can also buy blister pads which can work as long as they effectively keep pressure off the blistering area. If blisters develop fluid inside, the best option is to soak in warm salt water. If the blister doesn't resolve or if you have diabetes or poor blood flow see a professional.
The Singing
Podiatrist
604-736-1910
943 W. Broadway, Suite 530
WHAT IS A FOOT DOCTOR? >
A foot doctor is a medical specialist who treats feet. Any foot problem (and some knee, hip and back problems) can be evaluated and treated by a podiatrist. More...
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