Skin & Toenail Care in Canberra
Podiatrists around the world call a consultation for skin and toenail conditions a ‘general footcare’ consultation and sometimes ‘primary footcare’. Here at New Step Podiatry, we don’t think ‘general footcare’ is reflective of what we do during these consultations, however, a ‘lower limb dermatological assessment and management consultation’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it so we’ll stick with general footcare for now.
There is an endless reasons why people chose a podiatrist over themselves, friends, family members or nail salons to treat their toenails. Some examples are:
They can’t reach their feet due to a stomach, back, hip or knee injury or condition
They can’t see the toenails due to poor vision
A corn or callus is too deep and risky to remove at home
The risks associated with self treating are too high. A cut or bleed with unsterilised equipment may result in an infection or chronic wound
Troubles operating nail nippers due to hand injuries and arthritis
Some home clippers and scissors are unable to cut thick, curved and ingrown toenails
An expert opinion is required because the condition and its causes are unknown
Podiatrists in the ACT are inspected by ACT Health officers to ensure the environment is safe and clean. All instruments are sterilised in an autoclave so 99.9% of bacteria and fungi are destroyed
Our podiatrists are trained in additional treatments for skin and toenail concerns including:
Swift microwave therapy for warts
Partial and total nail avulsion/removal surgeries for ingrown toenails or deformed toenails
Toenail bracing, a non-surgical alternative to ingrown toenails
Podiatrists are aiming to improve the function of the lower limbs.
What conditions would benefit from a general footcare consultation?
Thick, hard to cut toenails
Ingrown toenails
Fungal toenails
Painful, damaged & misshapen toenails
Dry, cracked heels and skin
Calluses and corns
Tinea/fungal infections
Warts/plantar warts/verrucae
Blistering
Chilblains
What happens during the consultation?
To determine the reason for the consultation and what you want to achieve from the consultation. A series of questions are asked to develop potential causes and a treatment plan.
Your skin, toenails and shoes are inspected. Your standing, walking and/or running posture are assessed to see if there are biomechanical causes
Assessment findings and today’s treatment are discussed. Treatment may include toenail trimming, reducing the thickness of the toenails, callus removal, corn removal, dry skin filing and cream application.
You will be provided with suggestions for strategies to do at home to keep your feet looking and feeling as good as they do after the treatment
All information discussed during the consultation is written down for you to take home
This depends on your reason for seeing a podiatrist. New Step Podiatry staff collaborate with their clients to determine if and when the next appointment should be made. Some people choose to call when they need their next podiatry treatments and others book in advance.
Clients requiring specialist treatment for ingrown toenails or warts will need more frequent appointments than clients having toenails cut and calluses removed.