Category: Dermatology

Urea Foot Creams

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The urea based foot creams are very helpful to manage a range of skin conditions that affect the foot. The higher concentrations of urea allow the ‘sloughing’ off of the drier flakes of skin and the lower concentrations of urea allow to more moisture to be retained in the skin.

Urea-based foot creams are widely used in dermatology and personal care for their intensive moisturizing and exfoliating properties. Urea, a naturally occurring substance in the body, functions as a humectant—meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. At concentrations around 10%, it helps soften dry, rough, and thickened skin, especially on areas like the heels and soles. This makes it highly effective in treating common issues like cracked heels, calluses, and general foot dryness, particularly during colder months or in individuals who stand or walk a lot.

What sets urea apart from other moisturizing agents is its keratolytic action at higher concentrations (20–40%). At these levels, it doesn’t just hydrate but also breaks down hardened, dead skin, promoting the shedding of flaky patches and calluses. This dual action—hydration plus exfoliation—is why urea-based foot creams are often recommended by podiatrists and dermatologists for conditions like plantar keratoderma, psoriasis, and diabetic foot care. The urea essentially helps normalize skin cell turnover and restore the skin’s natural barrier, making it smoother and more resilient.

Formulations often include additional ingredients like lactic acid, salicylic acid, or emollients like shea butter and glycerin to enhance urea’s effects. While generally safe, people with sensitive skin should start with lower concentrations to avoid irritation. It’s also worth noting that consistent use—typically once or twice daily—is key for noticeable improvement. For people dealing with stubborn foot dryness or thick skin buildup, urea creams are a targeted and scientifically-backed solution that often outperforms regular moisturizers.

Useful Resources:

Walker’s 15% and 25% Urea Foot Cream
The Effectiveness of the urea based creams
Should you use the 15% or 25% Walker’s Urea Foot Cream
Walkers Urea Foot Cream
What is the best concentration of urea for a good foot cream?
What foot cream do you recommend?

Onychophosis

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Onychophosis is the most common cause of pain in the nail sulcus. It is commonly mistaken for an ingrown toe nail. The pressure from the nail results in a build of of skin and it is that thicker skin in the nail groove that causes the pain. The treatment of onychophosis usually will need the skills of a podiatrist to expertly debride the callused nail groove and remove the painful skin.

Onychophosis is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of hyperkeratotic tissue—basically thickened skin—within the nail folds, especially the lateral (sides) and proximal (base) parts of the nail. This thickening usually occurs due to chronic irritation, repeated minor trauma, pressure from ill-fitting footwear, or mechanical stress. The condition is especially common in older adults and individuals with poor foot biomechanics, and it’s often associated with other nail disorders like onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) or nail plate deformities.

Clinically, onychophosis presents as thickened, yellowish or grayish skin that builds up beside or beneath the nail. It might be accompanied by tenderness, pain when walking, or discomfort during nail trimming. In severe cases, the tissue can compress the nail matrix or bed, causing secondary nail distortion or even infection. While it’s non-malignant, its chronic and progressive nature can significantly affect quality of life, especially in those with diabetes or compromised circulation, as it increases the risk of ulceration and infection.

Management of onychophosis involves a combination of mechanical debridement (careful trimming or grinding of the thickened tissue), offloading pressure (with better footwear or orthotic support), and addressing underlying causes. In podiatric care, routine debridement is often done to provide symptomatic relief. Preventive care is also key—regular foot hygiene, avoiding tight shoes, and managing systemic conditions like diabetes can help reduce recurrence. In persistent or painful cases, referral to a podiatrist or dermatologist may be necessary for more targeted treatment like keratolytic agents or minor surgical intervention.

Resources:
Not an ingrown toenail? (Podiatry Experts)
Onychophosis (PodiaPaedia)
Ingrown nail or Onychophosis? (Croydon Total Footcare)
The side of the toenail hurts, but its not ingrown (Podiatry FAQ)

Laser Therapy for Onychomycosis

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Laser therapy uses the high intensity light to try and destroy the fungal elements in toenail onychomycosis.

Laser therapy for onychomycosis—a fungal infection of the nail—is an increasingly popular treatment option, especially for individuals who either can’t tolerate antifungal medications or have not responded well to them. Onychomycosis typically causes thickened, discolored, and brittle nails, and it can be persistent and difficult to treat due to the hard-to-penetrate structure of the nail plate. Laser treatment works by emitting focused light energy that penetrates the nail and heats the underlying fungal pathogens, effectively damaging or killing them without harming the surrounding tissue.

There are different types of lasers used for this therapy, with the Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser being the most common. Some systems use pulsed lasers, while others use continuous light; both aim to raise the temperature of the fungal cells to a point where their structure breaks down. Treatments are typically painless or only mildly uncomfortable, and sessions last about 20–30 minutes depending on how many nails are involved. Most patients require multiple sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, to see noticeable improvement. The biggest advantage of laser therapy is that it’s non-invasive and drug-free, with minimal side effects compared to oral antifungals, which can cause liver toxicity or interact with other medications.

However, laser therapy is not a guaranteed cure, and results can vary widely depending on the severity of the infection, the type of fungus, and how strictly post-treatment care is followed. Clinical studies show moderate to good success rates, especially when combined with good hygiene and preventive practices like keeping feet dry and trimming nails regularly. It’s also worth noting that while the nail may appear healthy after treatment, regrowth can take several months, and reinfection is possible if proper precautions aren’t taken. Overall, laser therapy offers a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional treatments, but it’s best viewed as part of a broader treatment plan, not a one-time fix.

Most Useful Resources:
Laser treatment for nail fungus (Podiatry Arena)
Laser Therapy for Onychomycosis (PodiaPaedia)
Laser Therapy (Podiatry TV)
Laser treatment for toenail fungus (Podiatry Update)
New Laser for fungal nails (Foot Health Friday)
My Advice for Nail Laser Treatment (Running Injury Advice)
What is everyone opinion of laser treatment for nail fungus? (Podiatry Experts)
Laser Onychomycosis (Foot Health Forum)

Duct Tape for Warts

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Duct tape has many practical uses and it has been advocated for the use of treating warts or verrucae by occluding the area. The clinical trials show that it does not work too well.

Duct tape, though originally designed for industrial and household repairs, has found a surprising range of medical uses—especially in improvised or emergency settings. One of its most well-documented medical applications is in the treatment of common warts. The “duct tape occlusion therapy” involves covering the wart with duct tape for several days, then removing it to exfoliate the top layer of skin, and repeating the process. Studies have had mixed results, but many anecdotal cases report successful removal, likely due to the combination of occlusion, irritation, and immune stimulation.

Another notable use of duct tape is in first aid and wound management, particularly in situations where medical supplies are limited. It can be used to secure bandages, create splints, or even fashion makeshift butterfly closures to bring wound edges together. When paired with sterile gauze or even clean cloth, duct tape can form a reasonably effective pressure dressing for bleeding control. Its water-resistant backing also provides a barrier against dirt and contaminants, although it’s far from ideal compared to medical-grade adhesives due to potential skin irritation.

Beyond minor injuries, duct tape can play a role in orthopedic or structural support, especially for stabilizing sprained ankles or immobilizing fingers in wilderness medicine scenarios. When combined with padding or soft cloth, it can reinforce a joint or secure a limb to a splint. However, caution is essential: direct application on skin for prolonged periods can cause blistering or allergic reactions, and its strong adhesive can tear fragile skin upon removal. While not a replacement for proper medical care, duct tape remains a clever, multipurpose tool in emergency kits and survival settings.

Most Useful Resources:
Duct Tape (PodiaPaedia)
Duct Tape for Warts? (Foot Health Friday)
Duct tape does not work for Warts or VP’s (Podiatry Arena)
Duct Tape (Foot Health Forum)

Corns on Toes

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Corns develop on the toes when the medium to long term pressure on an area. The skin thickens in response to that pressure, but becomes so thick that it becomes painful. The only way to permanently get rid of corns is to remove that cause.

Corns on toes are areas of thickened skin that develop as a protective response to repeated friction or pressure, often from ill-fitting shoes or abnormal toe alignment. They usually form on the tops or sides of toes and can be either hard (dense and compact) or soft (moist and rubbery, often found between toes). While corns themselves are not dangerous, they can be quite uncomfortable and even painful, especially when pressure is applied while walking or standing. The body creates this extra layer of skin as a defense, but over time, it can actually increase discomfort if not addressed.

The primary causes of corns include wearing tight or narrow shoes, high heels that shift weight to the front of the foot, or shoes without enough cushioning. Toe deformities like hammertoes or bunions can also contribute by creating friction points. Activities that involve repetitive motion or prolonged standing can exacerbate the problem. In some cases, people with underlying conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation may be at higher risk, as they may not notice irritation until the corns are more advanced, increasing the risk of complications.

Treatment for corns typically focuses on removing the source of friction and softening or carefully reducing the thickened skin. This can involve changing to properly fitting footwear, using protective pads or toe separators, and soaking the feet in warm water to soften the skin before gently filing with a pumice stone. Over-the-counter medicated corn pads containing salicylic acid can help dissolve the thickened skin, but they should be used with caution—especially for those with diabetes or sensitive skin. In persistent or painful cases, a podiatrist can safely trim the corn and advise on preventing recurrence.

Most Useful Resources:
Corns on Toes (Foot Health Forum)
Painful corn on toe (Foot Health Forum)
Corn on toe(Foot Health Forum)
Foot Corns & Callus (hyperkeratosis) (ePodiatry)
Corns on the Toes (Dr the Foot)
What causes corns on the toes? (Foot Health Friday)

Ectopic Toe Nails

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Ectopic Toe Nails are nails that develop in areas of the toe or foot that they are not supposed to grow in.

Most Useful Resources:
Ectopic Foot Nails (PodiaPaedia)
Ectopic Foot Nails (Podiatry Arena)