Nail and Skin Care

Discoloured and/or thickened nails

Our podiatrists will assess your nails to determine the cause of your discolouration and/or thickening. Fungal infection is a common cause, as is acute or chronic trauma. Treatment can include cutting and filing the nail back to remove as much of the dead nail as possible and you may be advised to apply a topical ointment onto your nails.

Hard skin (callus) and corns

Callus is hard skin that has built up due to excessive pressure or friction which can cause a great deal of pain for people. Corns are also comprised of hard skin, however, instead of sitting on top of the skin they form in a concentrated area and can be quite deep due to localised pressure. Treatment includes removal of the callus and corns as well as assessment of footwear and advice for prevention.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts (also known as verucca) are skin lesions caused by the HPV virus. They are the same warts that you can get on other parts of your body, however due to the pressure on your feet they grow inwards. Treatment includes removal of as much of the warty tissue as possible and application of topical agents to trigger your bodies immune system to fight the virus. Padding and offloading can also be applied to the foot or into shoes if the area is painful.

Ingrowing toenails

An ingrown nail occurs when the nail digs into the skin causing inflammation and sometimes infection. Ingrown nails can either be caused by an acute issue such as incorrect nail cutting technique, or by other causes such as curly nail shapes.
Your podiatrist will assess your nail and advise you on the best treatment depending on the cause of your ingrowing nail. Treatment options include a more conservative option where the offending nail piece is cut away with or without the use of local anaesthetic as well as a permanent surgical option which can be performed in clinic called a partial nail avulsion.