Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s Foot is a very common fungal infection.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot are similar to that of a rash. If you have athlete’s foot you may notice redness, scaling or even blisters, and experience itching, stinging and burning. The fungus can spread to other areas of your body, with common locations including the nails, hands and groin.

The fungus can be picked up in a number of ways. Since the athlete’s foot fungus lives on surfaces like floors and towels, and thrives in wet or damp environments, it is typically contracted by exposing your feet to public floors, like swimming pool decks, locker room floors or public showers. The virus can also be contracted by wearing damp socks or wet shoes. Wearing tight shoes can also constrict your feet, not allow sweat to escape, and eventually lead to contracting athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot can often be treated with anti-fungal medications that are easily accessible over the counter, including ointments, sprays, lotions or powders. However, if your infection is severe, or the over the counter anti-fungal medications fail to work, you need to see a professional.

At Pickering Foot Clinic we are here to help you. Make an appointment today to have your athlete’s foot assessed and receive treatment options. We will follow up on your condition and discuss preventative measures. No doctor referral is necessary!

 

Bunions

Bony bumps and angled toes are the most common signs you might have a bunion.

Bunions occur when your big toe begins to angle in towards the rest of your toes. This will create a bump on the side of your foot at the base of your big toe, resulting in pain, soreness, swelling, or redness around the toe joint. If bunions cause overlapping of the toes, corns and calluses can occur, or if the bunion is developed by arthritis the movement of your toe may be restricted.

Although the real cause of bunions is still unknown there are a number of different contributing factors including:

• foot type
• deformities
• foot injuries
• rheumatoid arthritis
• wearing tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes

The best way to avoid bunions is to be proactive. Wearing shoes that have toe room, offer support, and don’t have a heel are good way to avoid contributing to the development of a bunion. Also, addressing any concerns with the biomechanics of your feet is a great way to stave off bunions by supporting healthy foot function.

Come to Pickering Foot Clinic to learn how to prevent bunions or seek treatment. We are committed to giving you the best treatment possible. We’ll asses your feet, offer treatment or prevention options, and follow up with your care. Make an appointment now. No doctor referral is needed!

 

Flat Feet

You have flat feet if the entire soles of your feet touch the ground when you stand on them, meaning you have no arch on the insides of your feet.

We’re all born with flat feet and most people develop arches as we grow. Those who don’t have flat feet.

Flat feet can also develop in adults as a result of weakened foot muscles that support the arch either through injury or wear. Adult-acquired flat feet can affect your bio-mechanics, putting stress on your feet, ankles, knees and hips and cause foot and ankle pain, as well as arthritis.

There are a number of possible treatment options for flat feet depending on your specific needs, including orthotics, stretching exercises, physical therapy, or even surgery.

At Pickering Foot Clinic, we’re more than happy to evaluate your flat feet and determine what the best course of action will be for you personally.

Make an appointment with us today. No doctor referral is needed.

 

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma thickens tissue around the nerves leading to your toes. This affects the balls of the feet, and most typically the space between the third and fourth toes away from your big toe.

 

If you have Morton’s neuroma you may experience:

• burning or shooting pain in the ball of your foot that may spread into the toes
• numbness or tingling in the small toes
• feeling like something is stuck under your foot in your shoe

High heels and tight shoes are a culprit of worsening symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. If your pain is not relieved after switching to supportive shoes or massaging your feet, you should see a Chiropodist.

Pickering Foot Clinic provides assessments of Morton’s Neuroma by highly trained Chiropodists and treatment options to suit you, including orthotics, stretching exercises or injections.

Make an appointment with Pickering Foot Clinic today. No doctor referral is necessary!

 

Callus & Corns

Callus is thickened and hardened skin that develops on your feet as your skin protects itself from wear.

Corns are smaller hard-centered calluses that are surrounded by inflamed skin.

Although callus is a protection mechanism of the skin it can become harmful when they become painful.

Wearing comfortable socks and shoes, moisturizing the skin, and using a pumice stone after soaking in warm water (unless you are diabetic) are all ways to prevent and remove calluses safely. Don’t cut calloused skin as this can lead to infection.

If your callus or corn is causing you pain, or your at-home remedies aren’t working, Pickering Foot Clinic can help you. We’ll assess and remove your callus or corn and follow up with you after.

Make an appointment today! No doctor referral is needed.

 

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are caused by a viral infection and often appear on the heels and balls of the feet. They are hard growths that can occur beneath callus and can cause pain and tenderness while walking or standing.

The warts are caused by the HPV virus infection on the outer layer of the skin on the foot. The virus is often contracted through cuts, scrapes, cracks or weak skin when exposed to wet and warm environments, such as pool decks, locker room floors, or public showers.

Plantar warts are difficult to get rid of on your own or with over-the-counter treatments. You should see a Chiropodist if:

• you have diabetes or lack of sensation in your feet
• you have a weakened immune system
• at-home wart treatments haven’t worked
• the wart has multiplied or gone away and come back
• it’s painful
• it has changed in colour or size

At Pickering Foot Clinic, we do much more than just safely and effectively remove your plantar warts. We will give you a full assessment, pick the best suited treatment options for you, follow up on your care and suggest preventative measures. Book an appointment with us today! No doctor referral is required.

 

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a very common foot ailment.

Signs of a toenail fungus:

• Thickening
• Discolouration (yellowing or darkening) and dullness
• Crumbling, brittleness or changing shape
• Separation from the nail bed
• Pain or odor

Toenail fungus is contracted when fungal grains enter under the nail and grow. The fungus grows well in warm and moist environments. Surfaces like swimming pool decks, locker room floors, showers as well as sharing nail clippers can increase the potential of contracting toenail fungus. Wearing tight shoes that lock in moisture can also create an environment for nail fungus to grow.

To prevent toenail fungus, make sure to completely dry your feet after bathing, and always wear socks and shoes that are clean and dry. If you are suffering from toenail fungus and have tried over-the-counter treatments without relief, you should see a Chiropodist.

At Pickering Foot Clinic, we’ll do a full consultation and assessment to determine the best possible treatment and care as well as consult you on further ways to prevent the growth of toenail fungus.

Book an appointment today. No doctor referral is required!

 

Plantar Fasciitis

A shooting pain in the heel of the foot upon taking your first steps in the morning or being on your feet for long periods of time could mean you have plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis occurs from over stress on the plantar fascia which are the tissues on the bottom of your feet that attach your heel and the balls of your feet. The plantar fascia experiences increased stress as a result of doing certain exercises like running, abnormal biomechanics, excess weight on your feet particularly during pregnancy, as well as working on your feet for long periods of time.

Simply ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic foot pain and pain elsewhere in the body.

Coming to Pickering Foot Clinic for an assessment and consultation can present you with treatment options like exercise and stretching programs, night splints or orthotics, among others.

Speaking with a Chiropodist about your options can start you on your journey to better foot health.

Book an appointment with us today! No doctor referral is needed.

 

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are a very common foot condition. They occur when a toenail begins to grow into the soft flesh of the toe. Ingrown toenails are painful and can make the area red, swollen, and warm.

Ingrown toenails are caused by a number of things including cutting your toenails in a rounded way or too short, injuring your toenail, wearing tight shoes or having very curved toenails.

It’s important to take care of an ingrown toenail early to prevent infection. This is especially true for people with medical conditions that reduce blood flow to the feet as it may not heal properly and become infected. A bad infection from an ingrown toenail can even go on to infect the underlying bone.

At Pickering Foot Clinic, a highly trained Chiropodist will examine and assess your condition and provide the best treatment and follow up care possible.

Book an appointment today. No doctor referral is needed.

 

 

Thick Toenails

It’s important to have well-maintained nails that are trimmed often, however, this can be difficult when they become very thick.

There are a large number of reasons why our toenails become thick and difficult to cut, from fungus to injury to circulation issues.

At Pickering Foot Clinic, we can cut, thin and maintain your toenails in a comfortable and caring environment so they’re healthier, cleaner and you feel better about how they look.

Book an appointment today! No doctor referral is needed.

 

Toe Deformities

Toe deformities are caused by muscle imbalances. Stronger muscles take over weaker ones, which can change the appearance of the foot. Wearing unsupportive and tight shoes over very long periods of time, injuries and genetics can all contribute to toe deformities and can also cause more foot problems like callus and corns.

There are four main types of toe deformities:

Hammer Toe:

A hammer toe exists when toes curl down instead of being straight. This is due to the inability to relax the middle joint of the toe. Hammer toes are prone to developing corns on the high-point of the toe.

Claw Toe:

On a claw toe, the tendons tighten and the toe curls over. This makes it look like a claw and can occur in any toe except the big toe. Claw toes can cause extreme pressure and pain.

Mallet Toe:

A mallet toe occurs when the end joint of a toe will not straighten. These toes are prone to developing corns on the highpoint of the toe.

Retracted Toe:

When a toe points out in another direction and doesn’t touch the ground while sitting, walking or standing. Retracted toes may develop corns on the top of them from constant rubbing against shoes.

Pickering Foot Clinic is here to assist you with toe deformities and the conditions that arise as a result.

Book an appointment for assessment and treatment of your toe deformity in a comfortable and caring environment. No doctor referral needed!

 

Cracked heels

Cracked heels are a common foot problem. For some people it is an aesthetic issue; for others, the cracks can go deep enough to cause pain while walking and increase the chance of infection.

Heels crack due to dry skin and can also be brought on by being on your feet a lot or being overweight.

The caring team at Pickering Foot Clinic will help you to address and heal your cracked feet and share preventative measures to prevent future cracking.

Book an appointment today. No doctor referral needed!