Problems We Solve

When a nail has a curved edge, it can easily cause aggravation to the skin alongside it. This situation can very quickly escalate into an ingrowing nail, with bleeding or pus or even extra tissue growing over the nail. It is acutely painful and difficult to deal with by yourself. It will be life-affecting, making activity very painful and even difficult to wear shoes.

Podiatrists are trained as standard in a procedural technique to remove all or part of the ingrowing nail for a permanent resolution. This procedure is very effective, and particularly worthwhile for recurrent ingrowing nails.

Verrucae, or warts, can be a persistent and annoying problem because they can take years to disappear or may not at all.

A verruca (aka warts) is a benign skin lesion caused by variants of the Human Papilloma Virus. They are most often associated with shared damp environments such as changing rooms and swimming pools. They can often disappear on their own in children, but in adults can be very stubborn. This is because the virus lives in the middle layer of the skin and is hard for the immune system to detect. On their own they aren’t usually a problem, but they can develop a thick layer of skin, especially on weight-bearing areas of the foot, which can be very painful. They may also spread around the foot and for these reasons people will often seek treatment.

We have two treatment packages, Needling and Swift, which both stimulate the immune system to find the viral infection and then mount a response. When successful the patient has generated antibodies to the strain and the verruca disappears.

• Needling is undertaken with local anaesthetic, utilising a small needle to damage to the verruca and alert the body to the location.
• Swift causes a similar alert to the immune system by way of heating the area. It needs no anaesthetic or needles.

Nails that are damaged or thick can be most vulnerable to fungal infections. The infection can be hard to identify or differentiate from a traumatised nail. We have a quick test that will tell us if there is fungus present, so that we can start you on a treatment plan right away.

Who wants to be stopped in their tracks by pain?! Do you suffer with pain under the arch or achilles tendon? Maybe a sore bunion or burning sensation under the ball of the foot?

Pain around the feet and ankles can occur for so many reasons and can require investigations into movement and function.

Often musculoskeletal or biomechanical pain will require orthoses to resolve and some rehabilitation work to get you fully fit and back to activity again.

Having flat feet is not always a problem, but if it is accompanied by pain in the foot, ankle, knee or hip, the foot position can be a sign of a more significant problem. We can delve into the lower limb mechanics with you and find out where the chain is broken. We can then help you on a course of remedial action, often including insoles/orthoses and exercises.

There are many different causes and sites of forefoot pain, but mostly it arises as a result of overloading the front of the foot. We need to address the loading issues and help the foot to work more effectively as you pass over it during walking. An insole/orthosis is sometimes needed, as are rehabilitation exercises. A full assessment of the lower limb mechanics is utilised to root out the problems and formulate a treatment plan.

Pain under the heel is often a result of tissue injury or overload, but the causes aren’t always clear. We will fully assess your movement and foot positions to establish why the injury has occurred and address the underlying causes. We often utilise rehabilitation exercises with heel pain cases and there may be need for an insole/orthosis.

Nails are frequently the cause of embarrassment, but they need not be! Trust us when we say we have seen it all, and there is no need to feel embarrassed when you attend. Nails can become thickened after trauma or ill health, and they can be unsightly or painful as a result. We can help you manage your thick nails, reducing their thickness and improving comfort.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin. Often it occurs between the toes, but it can also be present all over the feet, and mistaken for dry skin. Podiatrists know how to differentiate these and the right course of treatment for you. The presence of tinea infection is often a precursor to fungal nails.

Corns and calluses, heel splits and dry skin are frequently treated in podiatry clinics. We have the right skills to remove hard skin and corns effectively, so you have comfortable feet right from the very next step. We can advise on how to prevent skin conditions such as these arising, so that your largest organ stays in excellent condition. Simple skincare routines can prevent a multitude of complications and we believe that prevention is always the best cure.

“Skin, skin, such a wonderful thing. It keeps the outside out and the inside in.”

Hard, thick skin can become really compacted and form a corn. This is usually described as standing on a stone or a needle.

Who would have thought skin could be so painful?! Unfortunately corn plasters and razor blades are not safe methods of corn removal and injuries easily occur! The use of scalpels for corn and callus treatment is something that podiatrist are uniquely trained and experienced in.

A few minutes in the right hands and you will be skipping along again!

With the feet being so vulnerable to problems it is imperative that they are expertly looked after.

We can help prevent ulcerations and amputations to feet affected by diabetes, because we are experts in foot care.

We can monitor blood flow into the feet and nerve ending function, which are commonly affected, and also keep a keen eye on any vulnerable areas.

We can tell you all the best tips to keep them safe for as long as possible and advise on safe products to use to improve their health.

Our beautiful clinic is situated in a prominent position in Ilminster, one of South Somerset’s traditional market towns. We are adjacent to the two GP surgeries with plenty of free parking, and ground level access throughout.

We have 4 bright spacious clinical rooms, and a comfortable waiting room complete with artwork from local artists. Currently we stock a range of Barekind bamboo socks and plenty of footcare products to help you with your self care as recommended by the clinicians. Our patient support team is ready to welcome you with a smile!