Quest Podiatry

Chilblains, also known as Perino, are small, itchy, red swellings on the skin. They typically occur on fingers and toes but can also develop on the face and legs. No one knows exactly what causes this painful condition, but they are an abnormal reaction to exposure to cold weather followed by rewarming. They develop in cold temperatures as the tiny blood vessels under your skin get smaller and restrict blood flow. If your skin warms up too quickly, the blood vessels then expand causing blood to rush to your extremities resulting in redness and swelling. Risk factors of chilblains People with poor circulation tend to be more susceptible to chilblains. Health conditions such as Raynaud’s disease and Lupus, an autoimmune connective tissue disease may make your more likely to suffer from chilblains. Women are more likely to get chilblains than men. Being underweight increases your risk of getting chilblains. Wearing clothing that is tight or exposes your skin to cold, damp conditions will ...

Laser treatment provides an effective, safe and comfortable solution. Whilst fungal nail infections don’t pose a serious health risk, an untreated infection will not clear up and can spread. Conventional treatment options, such as topical and oral medication, often yield disappointing results. They can be time-consuming and carry potential side effects. In contrast, fungal nail laser treatment offers an effective solution. It is carried out by our  qualified, HCPC-registered podiatrists   and has several advantages: Safe & painless No recovery or downtime No side effects or drugs Suitable for diabetics Faster than other treatments A typical treatment plan involves a course of 3 to 4 sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. We provide straightforward aftercare advice, and you can resume your normal daily activity after each treatment without any discomfort. Source url :  https://questpodiatry.co.uk/foot-ankle-treatments/fungal-nail-laser-treatment/

Do you remember your parents and grandparents always nagging you to “wash your hands?” Well, I certainly do! And, what a chore it was too, well worth an eye roll or two … Many years later, as a first-year undergraduate at University College London Medical School at the London Foot Hospital we had to wash our hands before every clinical session and in between patients … for minutes at a time, while being watched! I even remember having an exam on HAND WASHING (although the real subject was obviously preventing the spread of infections). So, why is it so important to wash our hands frequently and thoroughly? The ugly truth is that we touch numerous objects and surfaces which have often been touched by other people, sneezed on by other people and spoken over (and therefore spat on!) by other people. We have no control over what we have just picked up on our hands. Bacteria and viruses end up on our hands, as well as tiny particles of faeces (both human and animal) and parasite eggs. We th...

The London Marathon took place on Sunday 2 nd  October and everyone at the clinic is so proud of Anna’s daughter Maddie, who ran for the  Alzheimer’s Society  and succeeded in raising over £3500. For many, such an undertaking is all about cardio fitness and leg strength. But good foot care and overall foot health are also vital, and it was great to be able to support her with this. If you are on your feet a lot, either through your work or leisure activities such as walking or running, there are a few things to remember: Keeping your skin soft and supple can help prevent blisters. Use a pumice or foot-file when you shower or bathe and moisturise afterwards. Use technical running socks or walking  socks that wick moisture  away to keep your feet as dry as possible. Watch out for the early signs of athlete’s foot which can be a common concern in people who exercise frequently or suffer with hot, sweaty feet. There are as many as 250,000 sweat glands in our feet an...

Corns and calluses are cases of thickened skin on the feet. They are generally caused by friction, rubbing or irritation, often the by-product of ill-fitting footwear. However, with a little bit of care, most cases can easily be prevented. The list below shows some of the more common symptoms of corns and calluses: Tenderness of the affected area Hard or thickened areas of skin Flaky skin Bumps on the skin What can I do if I have a corn or callus? As long as you do not suffer from any underlying conditions that could further impact a corn of callus (i.e.  diabetes ) – you can try the below methods: Over-the-counter pads:  These  corn pads  can be bought from most chemists and are designed to protect the corn or callus. Any products containing salicylic acid should be avoided, as they can irritate and damage healthy skin, leading to infection, especially if you suffer from poor blood flow. Soak your hands and feet:  By soaking your hands and feet, it can soften t...