Skin & Nail Issues
Verrucae
Verrucae are plantar warts, located on the sole or toes of the foot and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of keratinocytes, the most dominant cell type in the epidermis, which results in development of epidermal thickening and hyperkeratinisation.
HPV infection is acquired from direct contact, which may be person-to- person or from the environment (e.g. showers and swimming pools; skin penetration increases if the skin is broken or wet). Around half of verrucae in children disappear on their own within a year, and two-thirds resolve within two years, but they can take many years to resolve in adults and thus this risk of cross infection would be greater if not treated.
There are a variety of treatments available depending on the type of verrucae the client is presenting with, the clients age group, activity levels and skin sensitivity. Treatments we currently offer are a variety of topical treatments and verrucae needling.
Not all treatments are suitable for everyone. And on some occasions it may be deemed most appropriate to not apply any treatment.
Skin Cancer of the Feet
Melanoma, a skin cancer, grows on skin that gets too much sun. It can also commence in places where the sun hardly shines, such as your foot. Because most people never check their feet for signs of melanoma, this cancer often spreads before it’s noticed.
Allowed to spread, melanoma can turn deadly. By inspecting your feet, you can find it early when it’s highly treatable. People of all races and colours can get melanoma on their feet. Research has shown that a foot injury may increase your risk of developing melanoma.
Sometimes, melanoma on the foot feels painful, bleeds, or itches, but not always. The bleeding tends to stop and start.
Non Infective Nail Conditions
About 50% of nail conditions result from various causes, including nail injuries, psoriasis, lichen planus, and occasionally tumours (cancerous and noncancerous).
Lichen planus affects the nails in up to 10% of cases. Some people may have only mild symptoms such as discoloration of the nail beds, thinning of the nails, and formation of nail ridges. Other people may completely lose their nails.
Nail psoriasis can manifest clinically as a wide variety of nail changes, like nail discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, pitting and onycholysis. Patients with psoriatic nails have impaired quality of life due to the appearance of nails, and significant morbidity and functional impairments may arise in large cases.
Onycholysis is partial separation of the nail plate from the nail bed or complete nail plate loss. It can result from an injury, overzealous nail cleaning, Psoriasis and thyrotoxicosis, Frequent exposure to water and cleaning agents
Nail neoplasms include benign and malignant tumours that have different signs and symptoms causing deformities and affecting nail growth. In general, malignant tumours deform the adjacent tissue while benign tumours preserve tissue architecture; however, it should not be considered a rule. Malignant tumours are the most important lesions of the nail apparatus for their impact on the prognosis. A biopsy is the only confirmatory diagnostic means.
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