Foot care nurses are a vital part of our healthcare system in providing quality care and education to clients. A foot care nurse is a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse and will have familiarity with conditions and common concerns of the feet. They will have completed an independent course in foot care which has a theory component focusing on anatomy, physiology, diseases, etc. as well as a practical component where they provide foot care to clients in a supervised setting. 

Foot care nurses can practice either independently or with a clinic, and services can be provided in a setting most convenient to the nurse and client. A foot care nurse will complete an initial foot assessment, and ask questions about your health to assist in best determining a plan of care. They will help identify any foot issues, and make recommendations for care. They will care for nails and any calluses, corns, or other concerns that require attention. Most importantly, they will educate the client as they work, so that some components of foot care can be done at home, if the client is able. And if there is a need for more advanced care, they can refer to the appropriate provider. 

Most major insurance companies will cover the cost of the services of a foot care nurse, and these services can also be tax deductible. 

Using the services of a foot care nurse should not be just for when you have issues or difficulties- proactivity can go a long way in preventing issues from ever starting. In my practice, I see many clients who are diabetics, have arthritis or another reason why they cannot reach their feet, impaired eyesight, poor circulation, are taking blood thinning medication, are having active treatment for cancer, or other health concerns. However, I also have a population of clients who have no health concerns, but understand that their feet are their foundation and will last much longer when they are well cared for.  

Ingrown nails….they make it hard to stand or walk, they’re often complicated, and they’re definitely annoying. 

Ingrown nails are caused when the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. They will typically cause tenderness, swelling, redness to the affected toe, and sometimes infection (paronychia) if the nail pushes through the skin. The great toe is usually the most affected toe, 

and while ingrown nails account for approximately 25% of visits to a foot care provider, they are often preventable. 

Ingrown nails occur when nails are not cut straight across; when they are cut too short; when you wear ill-fitting shoes over long periods of time that squish your toes together; when you have unusually curved nails; trauma to the foot or nail; or infections of the nail 

While care from a qualified provider is recommended, there are some at- home remedies that you can do while waiting for your appointment 

– Soak feet 10-15 minutes once a day in warm water (for people who have decreased sensation in your feet, use a thermometer to gauge the most appropriate temperature) – Tuck a small piece of cotton ball or dental floss under the nail to encourage the nail to grow out and away from the skin. This should be changes daily 

– Does there appear to be an infection? If so, it’s important to see a doctor to determine whether you require an antibiotic. 

If you are a diabetic or have impaired circulation, it is advised to seek treatment quickly as you are more prone to complications from an ingrown nail 

There are risk factors that you should be mindful of, whether you’re prone to ingrown nails or not. They are much less painful to prevent than to treat. 

Sweaty feet make nails softer; cutting nails too short; not cutting nails straight across; inability to properly care for your feet; activities that put your feet at risk of injury (repeated kicking or pressure on the foot, such as ballet, kickboxing, soccer); medical conditions that restrict or decrease the circulation to your feet; and poor-fitting footwear, including high heels 

With these risk factors in mind, you can prevent ingrown nails by inspecting your feet daily; cutting nails straight across and not cutting them too short- they should be even with the tip of the toe; wearing properly fitting footwear and socks that allow the toes to move; wearing protective footwear if you are at risk of injuring your feet; and keeping feet clean and dry change your socks throughout the day if necessary 

Your foot care nurse will treat your ingrown nail and show you how to properly care for and manage it as it grows out.

We’ve all been there….heels so rough that they could slice open the leg of your bed partner and skin so flaky that it looks like it’s snowing when you take your socks off. Then one day, the sun comes out and shines warm on your face, and you start thinking ahead to summer.  And with summer comes sandals and bare feet. And you have feet that require some treatment and TLC.

Over the winter, we often spend more time indoors, wearing fuzzy socks and blasting the heat. While it may be cozy and comfortable, it can be doing some damage to your feet in the form of dry skin and cracked heels. Dry skin is a given in the cold winter months- and your feet are no different. The cold air, combined with the increased indoor temperatures, leave your feet dehydrated and begging for moisturizer.

The question becomes – how do you treat it, and how do you prevent it from continuing to
happen?

First of all, it is important to ensure that you do not have an underlying medical condition
contributing to your foot issues. Sometimes, dry skin and cracked heels are linked to psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, thyroid issues, or biomechanical concerns such as flat feet or heel spurs.

The temperature of your shower or bath is one consideration. Hot water can damage keratin in the outer layer of your skin, preventing skin cells from retaining moisture. A cool or warm
shower is always best for your skin.

Do you soak your feet? Research shows that foot soaks can have relaxing and soothing
benefits, but can also contribute to dry skin. Foot soaks should be in warm water, and for no
longer than 10 minutes a couple of times a week. Epsom salts added to the water can assist with exfoliation of dead skin cells.

How about thick, calloused and cracked heels? There are a number of factors that can
contribute to split heels, including dry skin secondary to extreme temperatures (either hot or cold), diabetes- which can impair blood flow, barefoot walking, obesity, the use of harsh soaps and cleansers, standing for long hours and wearing shoes that are ill-fitting.  But there are also ways to manage this before it begins to cause soreness and discomfort, and interfere with your quality of life.

Our certified foot care nurses can help you manage dry skin and cracked heels, especially if you have difficulty reaching your feet safely; have issues with your eyesight and cannot see your feet properly; if you are considered high risk (if you have diabetes, are taking blood thinning medication, an oncology client, etc.); or if you have broken skin on your feet. You likely require more specialized care and treatment than you can provide yourself at home.

We can file and remove calloused skin that causes cracked heels, and recommend products that will help keep things under control, which in turn, leads to happier, healthier feet.

Medical foot care is provided by a health care practitioner (registered nurse or licensed practical nurse) and focuses on general foot health, and issues that people have with their feet. These practitioners have the experience and education to work with clients with complex care needs (ex. Diabetes, clients on blood thinning medication, etc.) and who can identify signs and symptoms of infection, skin pathologies, and nail abnormalities, including, but not limited, to ingrown, thickened and brittle nails, calluses, corns, hardened or thickened skin, and wounds and ulcers.  

While both medical foot care and pedicures tend to the toenails and skin of the feet, the purpose and details of the treatments vary. A pedicure is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on the beauty and therapeutic treatment of the toenails and feet, while medical foot care involves the assessment and treatment of nail and skin pathologies of the foot.