Verrucas

What do they look like? They look like circular, can be slightly raised with a thick rim, and be confused with corns. Some verrucas have black spots in the centre and some are rough and bumpy with a cauliflower appearance. There can be just one or a cluster of them.


What types are there? They are referred to as warts and can be found not only on the feet but also on the hands. Common warts tend to be flat, filiform warts are finger like projections, and mosaic warts form in clusters.


What causes verrucas? A strain of the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) which penetrates the surface of the skin, especially if there is a cut or crack present. You can be predisposed to them if your immune system is low.


Who gets them? Usually occurs in young children and teenagers probably because they are more likely to use communal areas and walk around in bare feet. It is reported that 1 in 10 people get it at any one time, and some people are more prone to the virus than others, especially if their immune system is compromised.


How do they spread? The virus thrives in a moist warm environment like swimming baths, shower areas and saunas.


How long do they last? Often people are unaware they have them until they become painful usually if they are present over pressure points on the foot. Some only have them for weeks but often it can last for at least six months to two years.


How can I prevent them?

• Wear flip flops or croc shoes when going swimming around the pool and shower areas.


• Do not share towels or footwear.


• Avoid touching or scratching the verruca


• If you are already infected keep the verruca covered with a plaster to stop others in your household getting infected, especially in the shower.


• Try ways to boost your immune system byy eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, plenty of sleep and rest, and avoiding unnecessary stress!

How can they be treated? It is always advisable to see a chiropodist to confirm it is a verruca and not a corn. The chiropodist will then assess what the best form of treatment will be, dependent on the age of the person, how active they are and any medical conditions they may have. The two most common forms of treatment are salicylic acid-which varies in strength, the higher the strength the more painful it tends to be to treat, and cryotherapy - freezing the verruca. The chiropodist will usually remove any tissue that is infected between applications, and assess the effectiveness of the treatment adjusting it accordingly.

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Diabetes part two

In 2001 the Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) was published, and it's the first ever national framework of standards for the treatment of diabetics. It covers all aspects of treatment and prevention set over a 10 year period. The aim is to raise the quality of services offered to those with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that affects every aspect of life, and occurs in all ages.It is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults in the UK and its becoming more common. 2.35 million is estimated to have it in this country which will increase to 2.5 million in 2010.

Obesity is 9% of the cause, and the life expectancy of a patient with Type 1 diabetes is reduced by 15 years. Type 2 is preventable in 2/3 of people and 90% of people have Type 2 as opposed to Type 1. Those at higher risk are in lower social economic groups and in ethnic minority communities. 5% of NHS funds is spent on the care of diabetic patients and 10% on hospital in patients.

It is because of these figures the NHS has focused its efforts to improve the care but especially the prevention of secondary complications as a result of this progressive and chronic disease. The key to prevention is early detection.

Diabetic Feet Part One

Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in the Uk and in the West, due to lifestyle, diet, lack of exercise, and family history. We are also becoming more advanced in picking up and diagnosing patients at an early stage. The NHS is keen to screen and prevent problems for the diabetic foot, and most GPs have diabetic clinics where patients are monitored on a yearly basis.

There are secondary complications for diabetics for example heart disease, kidney and eye
problems, and foot ulcers which undetected can lead to lower limb amputations.

This is why it is imperative that they are seen regularly by a qualified chiropodist so that they can be asseseed and any poetential problems can be identified quickly and treated.