Regular 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
Avoid broken bones at home
You might be wondering where is this article all going? Yes, I am a foot health journalist, but what has the telephone got to do with feet? Being an avid writer with a keen eye for observational rubbish I can make anything relate to feet.
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.
Pain and Prevention of Blisters
Footwear, skin and terrain will make or break the comfort of a walk as blister disrupt your please. This article looks at the common sites and introduces the idea of better comfort and prevention through awareness.
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.
Nails and Medical Health
Nail problems are not just a feature for beautification but can pose an indicator for medical disease and this is true in cases of heart and lung disease, cancer and even kidney disease. This lighter article touches on the conditions that also arise in hands as well as feet.
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?
Diabetes and the foot
It should be remembered that diabetes is a disease where the body has a poor ability managing sugar digestion. Insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas affects many parts of the body at a cellular level.
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.