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My Nails Need A Makeover- KERYflex Nail Restoration

By Rebecca Flower

 

Open toed shoes, thongs, flip flops & bare feet are the customary Northern Beaches footwear attire. So with the warmer months again dawning upon us exposed toes for some people are their own worst nightmare.

 

Podiatrists at our Balgowlah and Curl Curl clinics are often faced with patients “wishing they had nice nails” or claiming to “hide my nails under polish”. Our podiatrists cringe when they hear that their patients go and have shellac applied or worse still are having acrylic nails put on their toenails. Not only is this really damaging to the nail health, it can also create the perfect breeding environment for fungus. So whats the alternative?

 

One of the treatments we specialise in at our Northern Beaches Podiatry Clinics is a nail restoration system known as KERYflex. Essentially KERYflex is a cosmetic nail treatment that can be used on individuals who feel they want to improve their ‘unsightly’ nails. KERYflex can be used for short term nail damage like bruised, chipped, broken or fungal nails. or for long term nail complications due to trauma (slow growing or distorted nails) or congenital nail abnormalities.

 

KERYflex is offered as podiatry only treatment, meaning you can be confident that your nails are being restored by a fully trained professional, using sterile equipment and techniques. KERYflex is a resin material that wont further damage your underlying nails (unlike acrylic or gel).

 

Our podiatrists have been using this nails restoration system in their Northern Beaches clinics for over a year now and are always excited by how natural they are able to get the nails to look. “We are able to reduce the thickness of natural nails and sculpt an entirely artificial nail over the top of the damaged/unsightly nail”.

 

Generally KERYflex will last up to 8-10 weeks on nails, it is unaffected by acetone, nail polishes or detergents.The composite resin creates a flexible, but durable, non-porous nail that allows the remaining natural nail to grow.

 

If you are embarrassed by the look of you nails and want to have summer ready toes, all of our Curl Curl and Balgowlah podiatrists are trained in the art of KERYflex application.

 

 

 

Sydney Podiatry Co Talks Fungal Nails

By Rebecca Flower

 

At Sydney Podiatry Co fungal nail infections are one of our patients most common complaints. And with our two Podiatry clinics being located on the northern beaches we can understand that showing your toes during the summer months can often be inevitable!

 

Unfortunately, treatment for fungal toenails can be can be a lengthy process. Fungal toenail infections that have been present for a long time are generally more resistant to treatment, and regardless of the type of treatment; the nail infection will always have to grow out.

 

There are a myriad of treatments out there to fight that fungi, but before you try any paint on potions, medications, laser treatments or surgical options, its best to make sure that you truly have toenail fungus. Often in our clinics we will have patients presenting with, what looks like toenail fungus but is actually a nail injury.

 

Clinical signs are usually enough to diagnose nail fungus, however if oral anti-fungals are to be taken or you clinicians are unsure, you may need nail scrapings (no pain involved)! to be sent off to a laboratory to be microscopically examined and the type of fungus confirmed.

 

If it is confirmed you do have a fungal infection of the nail treatment can begin. At Sydney Podiatry Co we believe that in order to achieve the most successful treatment, we first must determine what type of treatment will best suit you and your lifestyle.

 

There are pros and cons of every treatment option available and our podiatrists at Sydney Podiatry Co will discuss these with you in consideration of your needs.

 

When topical solution is used, regular podiatry treatment is needed so that nails can be thinned out and the solution is able to penetrate the site of the fungal infection. Podiatry treatment for fungal nail will also include footwear advice to avoid ongoing trauma to the nails.

 

It is important to remember, regardless of the type of treatment you choose the key is to BE PATIENT, as it can take many months for fungal nails to fully resolve as the new healthy nail has to grow out.

 

If you suspect you might have a fungal nail infection or your not responding to over the counter treatments do not hesitate to give Sydney Podiatry Co a call or email to chat through your concerns with one of our podiatrists.

 

Foot Health for Diabetics

By Rebecca Calloway

 

"People with diabetes can develop various foot problems. Ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications"

 

Typically people diagnosed with diabetes are prone to lower limb and foot complications. These complications are predominantly due to reduced blood flow, changes or reduction in sensation, or even a change in foot shape.

 

Reduced blood flow or ishaemia is usually as a result of narrowing blood vessels that supply your feet and legs. Altered circulation affects the skin, the ability to heal, to fight infection and can lead to pain and swelling.

 

Sensation changes or neuropathy due to damaged nerves can present as tingling, buring, shooting pain or lack of sensation/feeling. This can impair the sensation of pain that can lead to injury, wounds and infection. Neuropathy can also cause muscle weakness leading to structural and functional changes in the foot

 

Foot deformities: any change in the physical structure of your feet, can change the pressure distribution of your feet when you walk. Increased pressure to certian areas can result in callous, corns, skin thickening, blisters, sores or ulcers

 

Podiatrists therefore, are an essential part of your diabetic managment team. The podiatry team at Sydney Podiatry Co, provide comprehensive foot health check up and are dedicated to diagnosis, treatement, management and prevention. We will liaise with your GP, and aim to maintain your productive, independant and healthy lifestyle.

Things you should know about swift microwave therapy: Planter Warts

 

What is swift therapy for warts?

Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licensed for the general treatment of skin lesions (warts/verruca). Swift treatment uses microwave energy delivered through a special probe that is applied to the skin. This probe generates heat within the verruca. Recent research has found that using this approach, called local hyperthermia, is much more effective at causing cell death within the wart than freezing or acid.

 

Microwaves!!?? Are they safe?

Yes. Microwaves are a form of non-ionising radiation, this means they cannot cause damage to the DNA of living things. Aside from your kitchen appliances, microwaves are used in a number of every day devices including your mobile phone, bluetooth and even WIFI.

 

How does swift work?

To really understand how Swift works, you must first know that when your body's cells are infected with the human papaloma virus (HPV) it has the ability to 'hide' in the body so that your immune system has no idea the virus is present.

 

Swift microwave therapy works by delivering energy to the site of the wart/verruca using a hand-held probe. Microwaves are delivered to a precise and predetermined depth. The microwaves heat the virally infected cells to 42-45 degrees, sending them into a state of stress. This stressed cell is then made visible to your immune system so it can then rid the body of the virus.

 

How does swift compare to other wart treatments?

Previous treatments used to treat warts like cryotherapy, salicylic acid, electrotherapy and excision are used to irritate the tissue and hopefully 'trick' our immune system into recognising certain cells are infected with the HPV virus. These treatments may work for some, however success rates are around 40-50% and often you may be left with a painful lesion that needs to be kept dry and will need redressing. Treatments can vary from daily to weekly and can be ongoing for months.

Swift does not disrupt healthy tissue, leaving it intact. That's great news, as it means there is no need for any dressings and there is no pain following the treatment. Meaning you walk out of the clinic just like you walked in!

 

Does swift hurt?

Treatment with Swift is extremely quick and requires no dressings. The rapid heating of the verruca/wart to 42 degrees can cause some discomfort, however this lasts for such a short time. Some people liken the sensation of swift to putting your foot in a hot bath and quickly removing as it feels to hot. Most people have no awareness of the treatment after about 2-3 minutes of treatment finishing.

 

How often will I need to come for swift treatment?

At Sydney Podiatry Co we generally place treatments 4 weeks apart. Most people will need 3 treatments. Some people may need additional treatments, particularly if their verruca is longstanding.

 

Is there any preparation required prior to treatment?

Generally no, however if your verruca/wart has substantial callous overlying one of our podiatrists at Sydney Podiatry Co may reduce this a few days prior to receiving your first Swift treatment.

 

Am I eligible for swift wart treatment?

With a few exceptions, most people with skin verruca on their feet would be able to have this treatment. Our podiatrist’s will carry out an assessment prior to treatment and be able to advise you on this.

 

I am interested- what do I do next?

Swift is available at Sydney Podiatry Co Balgowlah. If you think Swift sounds like it’s for you:

  • Call our Balgowlah Podiatry Clinic on (02) 9949 2315
  • Book online using the ‘book now’ button
  • E-mail us info@sydneypodiatryco.com.au
  • Complete our online enquiry form on the ‘contact us’ tab of our website.

What does it mean to be Flat-Footed?

 

Being flatfooted means having feet that have lower than normal arches on the underside. The human foot is typically arched at the bottom, with the heel and the ball touching the ground while the middle part stays off the ground. But if someone is flatfooted, then their soles do not have standard sized arches, which means the entire underside of their feet presses against the floor. Flatfeet, also known as fallen arches, is a harmless condition that doesn’t impact the patient’s life much. However, a flatfooted person needs to wear correct footwear to keep their condition from flaring up.

 

What causes Flatfeet?

The feet, normally, develop arches during childhood; however, in some kids, the arches might never develop. Flatfeet are a common condition that generally does not cause any pain or discomfort to the person.

 

Some children can also have flexible flatfeet. Having flexible flat feet means that the child’s arches become visible when they are sitting down and disappear when they stand up. Most kids outgrow flexible flatfeet with time.

 

Even though mostly, people have flat arches since childhood but some can develop them with age. The arches on someone’s feet can drop over time due to excessive wear and tear.

 

Treatment

Flatfeet don’t require treatment if they aren’t causing any pain. However, if a person with flatfeet experiences frequent pain, then they need to see a doctor. The typical forms of treatment used for managing aggravated cases of flat feet include

  • Using orthotics (special inserts to keep inside the shoes to support the feet)
  • Regular stretching of the calf muscles to improve flexibility in the foot
  • Losing weight
  • Wearing proper footwear

 

Risk Factors

Although anyone can develop flatfeet, some people are more at risk than others. If someone has any of the following factors, then they are more likely to get flatfeet.

  • Obesity
  • Injury to the foot or ankle
  • Age
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes

 

Life with Flatfeet

Living with flat feet is not too demanding. Most of the time, a flatfooted person doesn’t even realize that they have a feet condition. With that said, one must be careful when buying footwear. Wearing misfit shoes can injure the feet of a flatfooted person or worsen the condition. Therefore, it’s essential to buy suitable footwear. When purchasing shoes, people with flatfeet should do the following

  • Get someone to measure the size of their feet
  • Make sure that the shoe fits the natural shape of their feet
  • Avoid heels that are more than 2.5cm
  • Ensure that the shoes they are buying have 1 cm of room between the corner of their longest toe and the end of the shoe
  • Ensure that the footwear they are buying is well-suited for the activity they plan on doing

 

The Takeaway

Having flat feet doesn’t alter a person’s life drastically. Many people with flat feet don’t even wear proper footwear and continue to be active without any complications.

 

If you need more guidance or on flatfeet, then reach out to us at Sydney Podiatry. We promise to take excellent care of you and your feet.

HELP!!! I Think I Have Chillblains.

By Louise Hill

 

Itchy, burning, numb toes? 

 

Are you experiencing increased itchiness, burning sensation, changes in the colour or even loss of feeling in some or all of your toes?  You could be suffering from chilblains.

 

What are chilblains?

Chilblains occur on the toes they appear in patches of discoloured skin ranging from red, blue, or white. Common symptoms can include burning sensation on the skin, swelling in the toes, increased itching, dry skin leading to splits and cracks.

 

 

What causes Chilblain? 

Believed to be caused by a combination of cold weather and poor circulation. The body’s circulatory system comprises arteries, veins and capillaries that carry blood to every cell. The circulatory system is sensitive to temperature. The toes are particularly vulnerable, but other extremities can develop chilblains including fingers, earlobes and the nose. 

Who gets chilblains?

you may be at a high risk of having chilblains if you are elderly, live a sedentary livestyle, teenagers, under weight or have an under lying medical condition. 

 

Do’s

 Keep your entire body warm at all times

 Make sure your shoes are comfortable and well fitted

 Dry feet thoroughly after showering or bathing

 Use woollen or cotton socks to allow your feet to ‘breathe’

 Improve peripheral circulation by gentle exercise, like walking

 See a podiatrist for regular professional treatments

 

Don’ts

 Tight fitting shoes 

 Heating cold feet too quickly

 Scratching or picking at the skin

❌ Sudden temperate change 

❌ Open shoes or footwear with no socks 

 


Despite the discomfort, most chilblains don’t cause any permanent damage to tissue, although in serious cases, it can result in an ulcer. Severe, ulcerating or recurring chilblains need professional attention. A qualified podiatrist can treat your chilblains and offer advice on prevention.