SKIN CARE
Mount Eliza & Mornington Peninsula Area
As we take a closer look at our feet, it’s astonishing to realise how often we neglect their care. Our skin is our largest organ, and yet, we often overlook the skin on our feet, leaving them vulnerable to a multitude of issues. From painful corns and calluses to fungal infections and chronic skin conditions, the list of potential problems is extensive.
But, what if we told you there’s a way to tackle these issues head-on? Our podiatric skin care services offer a thorough approach to treating and preventing skin conditions affecting the feet, and we’re about to explore the many ways we can help you achieve ideal foot health.
You can book online for a consultation at our foot clinic.
Skin Care Services AT sTEP aHEAD pODIATRY:
Dry Skin Care
We often find that dry skin on the feet and ankles can be a persistent and annoying problem for many of our patients, leading to discomfort, itching, and even cracking. This can be especially troublesome during the winter months when the air tends to be drier.
As podiatrists, we are aware of the importance of dry skin care and take a proactive approach to addressing this common issue. We gently remove dead skin cells, helping to reveal smoother, softer skin. By doing so, we can reduce the risk of cracked heels and other skin problems. In addition, our dry skin care treatments can help prevent fungal infections, which can exacerbate dry skin issues.
Our goal is to provide personalised dry skin care services that cater to each patient’s unique needs. By combining our expertise with the latest techniques and products, we can help our patients achieve healthy, comfortable skin that looks and feels great. With our dry skin care services, patients can say goodbye to dry, itchy skin and hello to soft, supple feet that feel fantastic!
Cracked Heel Treatment
When dry skin escalates into cracked heels, it can be painful and even lead to infections, which is why we prioritise effective cracked heel treatment to restore healthy, supple skin. It’s clear that cracked heels can be a frustrating and debilitating condition, causing heel pain and discomfort with every step.
Our cracked heel treatment is designed to address the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. We use a combination of exfoliating and moisturising treatments to remove dead skin cells, soften hardened skin, and lock in moisture. Our treatment plan is tailored to each individual’s needs, taking into account the severity of the cracked heels and the patient’s overall foot health. By treating cracked heels promptly and effectively, we can help prevent complications. Our goal is to get our patients back on their feet, pain-free and confident, with healthy, happy skin.
Athlete’s Foot Management
Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis), a common and contagious fungal infection that affects millions of people worldwide, causing itching, burning, and cracking on the skin. As podiatrists, it is essential to address this condition through effective skin treatment. The importance of maintaining good foot hygiene to prevent the spread of the infection is clear, given that athlete’s foot thrives in warm, moist environments.
We recommend wearing well-ventilated shoes and changing socks regularly, especially after exercising or sweating heavily. If you’re experiencing symptoms, we can provide topical antifungal creams, ointments, or powders to treat the infection. In severe cases, oral antifungal medications may be prescribed by your doctor. Our podiatric skin care services focus on providing personalised treatment plans to address athlete’s foot and promote healthy foot skin.
Through our expertise in podiatry, it is evident that managing and preventing athlete’s foot reduces the risk of complications and promotes overall foot health. By taking a proactive approach to foot care, we can work together to prevent fungal infections and maintain healthy, happy feet.
Fungal Skin Infections for Feet
Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot, can quickly spread and take hold on your skin, making prompt treatment and prevention essential to maintaining healthy feet. These infections can be treated with topical or oral antifungal medications, and we recommend taking preventative measures seriously.
Excess fluid / oedema in the lower limb can break down the skin’s integrity, resulting in the loss of the skin’s natural protection barrier. This places the skin at risk for developing infection. It is important to protect the skin and manage this when possible.
Bacterial infections, such as cellulitis, require antibiotic treatment, and it is essential to stress the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen over time. It is apparent that fungal and bacterial infections can lead to more severe complications, such as sepsis, if left untreated. Especially in people with weakened immune systems. By prioritising regular foot inspections and proper foot hygiene practices, it is possible to prevent fungal and bacterial infections, reducing the risk of complications and promoting overall foot health.
Removal of Corns and Calluses
We commonly remove corns and calluses, which are areas of thickened skin that can become painful and debilitating if left untreated.
Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop due to repeated friction and pressure. While calluses are typically larger and spread out, corns are smaller and concentrated, often occurring between toes or on the tops of toes.
These skin conditions can cause discomfort, affect your daily activities, and even lead to more severe skin problems if neglected. As part of our podiatric skin care services, we provide hygenic removal of corns and calluses to alleviate your pain and prevent further problems.
Plantar Wart Removal
Discovering a painful bump on the sole of your foot can be alarming, especially if it’s a wart, which can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can make every step uncomfortable. As it’s clear, warts on the feet, also known as plantar warts, can be painful due to their location on weight-bearing areas.
Plantar warts can be diagnosed by a podiatrist through a physical examination and may require a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Mainly to rule out the rare case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and the common mistake of treating a wart as a corn (and vice versa).
When it comes to wart removal on the feet, treatment options include cantharidin, cryotherapy, salicylic acid, and surgical excision, with the choice of treatment depending on the size, location, and number of warts.
As part of our podiatric skin care services, our goal is to provide effective treatment for plantar warts, addressing this common foot skin condition and promoting healthy skin. By visiting Step Ahead Podiatry, you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment, preventing discomfort, pain, and potential difficulties with walking or standing.
Foot Ulcer Treatment
As we shift our focus from wart removal to more severe foot skin issues, foot ulcers emerge as a pressing concern that requires prompt attention and skilled treatment. It is essential to recognise that foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 15% of people with diabetes. If left untreated, they can lead to serious health consequences.
We’ve seen that the most common causes of foot ulcers are neuropathy, deformities, and trauma, and it is clear that they can be managed with proper wound care, debridement, and offloading. Comprehensive podiatry services can play a pivotal role in this management.
Our approach to foot ulcer treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, including wound debridement, antibiotics, offloading devices, and assessing circulation, as this is a key element in detecting the ability to heal. In severe cases, referral to a community high risk foot clinic may be recommended or surgical interventions may be necessary. We emphasise the importance of early detection and treatment of foot ulcers, as they can greatly reduce the risk of amputation from complications such as infection.
As podiatry care professionals, we’re committed to providing thorough wound care and promoting ideal skin health for our patients with diabetic foot conditions and other conditions.
Psoriasis and Eczema Managment
We’ve seen how cracked heels can cause significant discomfort, but other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema can be just as debilitating, requiring specialised management to prevent complications and improve foot health.
As podiatrists, we are aware of the impact of these chronic skin conditions on the feet and ankles. Psoriasis can lead to painful cracks and fissures (while some suffer with only psoriatic nails), making it difficult to walk or stand, while eczema can cause intense itching, blistering, and comes in differing forms one common one being varicose eczema which places one at risk of varicose ulceration
To manage these skin conditions, we recommend lifestyle changes such as avoiding harsh soaps and wearing breathable footwear. In severe cases, referral to a Dermatologist may be recommended who will discuss individual medications or alternate therapies eg. UV treatment. Surgical intervention like debridement may be necessary to remove dead skin cells and promote healing. Regular foot care and maintenance, including moisturising and exfoliating, are vital in preventing flare-ups and improving the overall health and appearance of the skin on the feet.
By offering personalised treatment options and podiatric expertise, we help patients with psoriasis and eczema achieve excellent foot health and enhance their quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Podiatrists Treat Skin?
We’re often asked if podiatrists treat skin, and the answer is yes! Our comprehensive podiatry services also encompass nail and skin care. People can often assume we only focus on bone and joint problems in the feet and ankles.
Can a Podiatrist Do Wound Care?
We’re often asked if a podiatrist can do wound care, and the answer is yes! We can provide thorough wound care treatment, including debridement, dressing, and recommend the use of antibiotic therapy to promote healing and prevent complications.
Should I See a Dermatologist or a Podiatrist?
Unsure about seeing a dermatologist or podiatrist? If your skin issue is specifically on our feet or ankles, choose a podiatrist; otherwise, a dermatologist might be a better fit.
Step Ahead Podiatric Clinic
We take pride in offering extensive podiatric skin care services that cater to a wide range of foot-related skin issues. From removing corns and calluses to treating athlete’s foot and warts, you’re in good hands. Our podiatry services also include treating ingrown toenails.
By emphasizing proper hygiene practices and regular foot inspections, we help you maintain healthy, happy feet that will keep you going for years to come.
If you think that you may have any of these conditions (or another) and want some friendly expert advice and treatment, please feel free to contact us at Step Ahead Podiatry.
Step Ahead Podiatry is located in Mount Eliza, along the Mornington Peninsula of Victoria.
We are ready to take your enquiries for a consultation on 03 9708 8626 or you can find our contact form at our Contact Us page if you prefer written communication.
Book an Appointment
Book an appointment below or give us a call or email through the contact us page.