SERVICES
When you are suffering from discomfort in your feet, it can be a real problem. Whether it be a small hard corn, a large verucca or simply that your toe nails have become too long, it can make a big impact on your daily life. People with diabetes should take particular care of their feet and I am here to help with that. A foot health practitioner can be a great service to all age groups, not just the elderly and any changes to the feet should receive proper attention and not be left to become worse.
I am a professional Foot Health Practitioner and am dedicated to making feet feel healthy again.
IMPORTANCE OF FOOT HEALTH
The well being of the foot is of paramount importance, they carry us around all day and yet people often neglect them, either due to busy lives, lack of education on the subject or simply because they cannot reach their feet!
There are many things that can affect the health of our feet; either mechanical or physical reasons, i.e. poor footwear, diabetes, infections, etc. A foot health practitioner can help take care of patients' feet and alleviate the symptoms of the stress and strain they are put under. A foot health practitioner will also be aware of the symptoms that feet can show, indicating more serious health problems.
AREAS COVERED
I am based in Cheshunt and cover the surrounding areas - Goffs Oak, Cuffley, Waltham Cross, Waltham Abbey, Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Southgate, Cockfosters, Hadley Wood, Barnet, Hoddesdon, Wormley, Hatfield, Brookmans Park, Potters Bar, Nazeing, etc
DIABETES
Diabetics should take great care and exercise caution when cutting toenails. Never cut down the sides of the nails or poke anything down them. If you have difficulty cutting them yourself, get assistance from a foot health practitioner, rather than a friend or relative – the risk is too great not to seek help from a properly trained practitioner.
Daily hygiene is essential to the foot health of a diabetic patient. One should scrupulously clean the feet every day, using a simple soap (or emulsion if the skin is excessively dry) and be careful to check the temperature of the water in baths/showers before entering, this should be done using the elbow or the hand (fingers are less affected by neuropathy), making sure the water is warm, not hot. Take extra care to dry the feet thoroughly after washing, paying particular attention to drying between the toes. Socks and hosiery should be changed daily and ideally, be free from bulky seams or wear and tear. Shoes should fit well and be in good condition, they should be made of soft leather and not be too tight. Be careful of anything that may cause rubbing, such as stitching. Never go barefoot. Beware of excessive heat (i.e. heat pads or sitting in front of a fire), sunburn and ensure the feet are well protected from the cold and chilblains.
DEMANDS ON THE FEET
The anatomical structure of the foot is complex, Leonardo Da Vinci referred to the human foot as, “The greatest engineering device in the whole world.” The feet are inclined to aches and pains, as well as conditions such as corns, callus, bunions, verrucae and ingrowing toenails. Being overweight, elderly or in poor health can exacerbate a patient’s foot health issues, as can being in a profession that demands more from the feet, such as hairdressing, being a manual worker or an athlete.