Footcare advice: Hygiene, Corns, Calluses, Cuts, Wounds and Dry Skin

Transcription

1 Footcare advice: Hygiene, Corns, Calluses, Cuts, Wounds and Dry Skin Information for patients Podiatry Service Phone no: Ref: Review: 07/2016 Foot Care Advice Ref Review: 07/2016 Page 1

2 Foot Care This leaflet gives advice on how to look after your feet, deal with corns and calluses, cuts and wounds and dry skin. Maintaining good foot hygiene Try to wash your feet every day and put on clean socks Make sure your feet are dried well, especially between the toes Do not soak them as it makes the skin soft and water-logged and can remove the skin s natural oils. Avoid using talcum powder on your feet as this can clog up the pores Keep your toenails at the right length If nails get too long they can cut into the next toe or get pushed back by the shoes. If they are too short they become sunken and may start to ingrow. Cut nails straight across, making sure that the edges of the nail can be seen. Do not cut or pick down the sides as this can cause an ingrowing toenail. Nails can be kept the right length by filing them once a week. If your nails are thick, file over the top of them to reduce the thickness. Corns and calluses Corns and calluses are areas of hard, thickened skin. They are caused by excessive pressure or friction from shoes. For this reason it is most important to check your footwear is the right style and the right size for your foot. To treat corns or callous gently file them down with a pumice stone or emery board and apply a moisturising cream. Avoid using medicated corn plasters or solvents These contain an acid which acts on the skin to soften the callous. The acid may stray onto normal skin causing an infection and/or an ulcer to develop. It is safer to use a protector without an acid in it, such as foam or gel. Foot Care Advice Ref Review: 07/2016 Page 2

3 Dealing with Cuts and wounds on your feet If you have a cut or an open wound on your foot it is important to treat it in the following way: bathe it in warm, not hot, water into which some salt has been dissolved Dry the area with a clean towel or kitchen roll and then dress the area, preferably with sterile gauze Do not use an excessive amount of sticky tape Do not wind bandages tightly around any part of the foot as this may restrict blood flow Check the area regularly and if you notice any swelling or redness get advice from your G.P practice or Podiatry Clinic If you have a blister, try to keep it intact and do not be tempted to pop it. Cover it with sterile gauze until it resolves naturally. Dealing with Dry Skin on your feet Rough, dry skin is a very common complaint. It is caused by a loss of water and natural oils from the outer layers of the skin. In the feet it is often associated with cracking, scaling and a feeling of tightness and itching. If there is a crack in the skin it can be sore and may become infected. There are a variety of lotions, creams and ointments available which, when applied to the skin, can have a softening or soothing effect. We call these products emollients. How do emollients work? Emollients work by increasing the water content in the skin, either by trapping in moisture or by drawing moisture up from the skins deeper layers. There are a variety of emollients that can be used: o Ointments - These are greasy and as such can be difficult to use. However they are very effective and the benefits will soon show (e.g. Epaderm). o Creams - These are a mixture of oil and water. They are not greasy and are easy to use (e.g. E45, Diprobase). Foot Care Advice Ref Review: 07/2016 Page 3

4 o Lotions - These have a high water content and are easier to use, but they are less effective. The water will evaporate when applied to the skin. Some emollients contain urea which is effective in breaking down plaques of skin; these are often used on the heels (e.g. Calmurid, Flexitol). Which is the best emollient to use? Everyone is different and it is important to find an emollient that suits you. It is often appropriate to use a variety of different emollients throughout the day: o Creams that are easy to use and quickly absorbed can be applied during the day, then an ointment can be used before getting into bed, where it can soak in overnight o Loose socks can be worn to stop the ointment being rubbed off onto the bedclothes. How do I apply the emollients? They should be used at least twice a day. Skin should not be allowed to dry out before putting on the next application. They are best applied after a bath or shower when the skin is warm and moist. Enough emollient must be used each time. The most common reason for emollients not working is not enough is used you cannot use too much. If in doubt use more, rather than less. The emollient should be smeared or stroked into the skin. If it is rubbed in, it can irritate the skin or hair follicles. Avoid using emollients in the webbing between the toes. Foot Care Advice Ref Review: 07/2016 Page 4

5 Comments, compliments or complaints We welcome any suggestions you have about the quality of our care and our services. Contact us: Freephone: Phone: Textphone: Customer Care, Reception, Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, SK10 3BL For large print, audio, Braille version or translation contact Communications and Engagement on Admission information The trust accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, personal property of any kind, in whatever way the loss or damage may occur, unless deposited for safe custody. Please leave valuables at home. If you need to bring personal items that are expensive, for example micro hearing aids, please be aware that you do so at your own risk East Cheshire NHS Trust does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying or abuse and is committed to ensuring that patients, staff and the public are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Foot Care Advice Ref Review: 07/2016 Page 5