Clinical Articles
Covid-19 the skin and toes (2)
The first toe rashes were reported in Italy and Spain where we know the numbers of infected Covid-19 cases rose fast overwhelming their health services. Skin changes are now being debated in many countries by organisations such as the American Podiatric Medical Association and College of Podiatry (London). Ms Debbie Delves reports a suspected case from her South London practice
A mysterious heel pain follows my own journey
David refers to his own experience of heel pain and that mysterious condition called Haglund’s deformity. he takes you through the cause and as usual directs you to self help and trying to avoid surgery. He suggests some useful sites for the reader.
Futsal Trial for a new product to minimise impact on the skin’s surface
Testimonials can provide good feedback when developing new products. Mike McColgan describes a trial using the product Pellitec as a method of helping people reduce the risk of blisters.
Blisters and Pathology in the foot
Blisters occur in vigorously active populations and result from frictional forces that mechanically separate epidermal cells at level of the stratum spinosum. Moist skin increases the frictional force, but very dry or very wet skin decreases friction force. Read more by Mike who has made a study of this common problem in this two part article for Reflective Podiatric Practice.
The Dangers of Walking in the Countryside
As a journalist it is easy to headline something to grab attention. Walking is not dangerous of course but it has some perils.
We head out into the fields innocently expecting to enjoy a light breeze with plenty of sun rays. Shaking off not only those winter blues but maybe a little weight might be our objective, or just a day out. Much has been written elsewhere on the dangers of the sun’s powerful rays, but I focus on something a little more tangible. Let’s start with that anecdote…
Accessing the Internet; a problem?
Thoughts and attitudes of the medical profession about patient’s accessing the internet for information are probed. A realistic view of the value, the dangers with some anecdotal experience from the author’s own family. This helps answer the question should we or should we not look things up for ourselves?
How can podiatrists help with peripheral neuropathy?
The inability to recognise specific sensations at the end of the body is associated with a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Allied to cancer treatment this makes the condition an unfortunate side effect. A little bit of discussion covers other conditions for those who do not have cancer.
Covid-19 and the foot (1)
Jones and Lavy write in the Telegraph about the danger of ignoring Club foot. The development of arthritis in the mid or hind foot arises without early treatment. The resistance shape means skin is battered and can form thick calluses, ulcerations and blistering. The chances of us seeing the adult cases as we used to when I was a teenager in the seventies seems unlikely but Jones and Lavy are not wrong to remind us and the population. Amidst Covid-19 and its own horrors perhaps it is easy to take one’s eye off the ball for a moment. Removing the clinical realities for a moment, let’s go to Hollywood…
What’s that at the end of my toe?
Curious shapes, distortions and nail problems are always fascinating to podiatrists. Dr Ivan Bristow has published his latest article on Why does my toenail hurt? This can be downloaded using the link below. This is not the first article that has caught my eye from Dr Bristow and you can read another article on Pilonidal Sinus as part of my Footlocker series.
Nail Toxicity after Cancer Treatment
Here are three types of conditions that can affect the nail: Onycholysis – separation of the nail. Involution – the nail starts to excessively curl creating a pinching effect of the skin at the sides and nails coupled with a weakened immunity, it allow opportunistic fungal infections to take hold.