Our feet are generally taken for granted. We don’t notice them until something goes wrong and we suddenly have to find a professional to take a look. While a typical nail bar might give you a quick pedicure and add a splash of varnish, a chiropodist or podiatrist is trained to provide the health care your feet really need.

A chiropodist is a highly qualified health care practitioner. They should be a member of an organisation such as the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Like most professionals, they have undertaken comprehensive training courses and will regularly update their skills to ensure they are up to date with developments and fit for practice. Compared to visiting a nail bar, you’ll expect to find a much higher level of knowledge, skill and hygiene provided routinely by a chiropodist.
But when and why do you need to visit one?

Medical Pedicures
Think about giving your feet the MOT they deserve. A medical pedicure will include your qualified chiropodist taking care of your whole foot. It can start with a relaxing footbath, followed by cutting and filing your nails, paying attention to problems such as corns, buffing your feet and applying a soothing cream. Just like nail bars, your chiropodist can also undertake the cosmetic changes such as applying nail varnish.

If you suffer from a condition such as diabetes, it is important that you pay special attention to extremities like feet. Any work that needs to be done, such as dealing with ingrown toenails should be carried out by a qualified professional chiropodist or podiatrist who has taken the time to note down your medical history and understands the complications that come with your condition.

Corns and Callouses
These are common foot problems and should be handled once again by a podiatrist or chiropodist who is trained to remove them. The standard of hygiene required, even when carrying out a minor procedure such as a corn removal, shouldn’t be underestimated. Living with this kind of problem usually means you suffer significant discomfort when you walk. The sooner you see a chiropodist who can help relieve the condition, the better.

Ingrown Toenails
Another common condition occurs when your nail begins growing back into the skin of the toe. An ingrown toenail can sometimes be remedied by simply cutting the nail but if the pain and symptoms persist you need to see a professional chiropodist or podiatrist. They’ll be able to perform the minor surgery you require while also making sure that your risk of infection is greatly reduced.

Fungal Infections
If your nail becomes discoloured and perhaps misshapen, it may mean that you have a fungal infection. This can be difficult to get rid of once it sets in and, while there are a variety of different remedies on the market, some are less effective than others. The method we use at Beauchamp Foot Care kills the fungus under the nail. It’s overseen by a qualified chiropodist who has been trained to use the equipment and is a painless and quick way to combat fungal infections.

Verruca Removal
Many people get a verruca at some time in their life but getting rid of it can be a nightmare. At Beauchamp Foot Care, we’ve got over two decades of treating this common condition, the most highly effective of which is Spirularin which has been shown to work well on stubborn verrucas and can protect your foot from further infection.

A chiropodist offers a much wider range of services than your average nail bar and you should seriously consider booking an appointment if you want to ensure your feet get the care they need. Not only can a chiropodist handle specific problems, they can also advise how to keep your feet in tip top condition for the future.

To discover the full range of services that Beauchamp Foot Care provides, book an appointment today with one of our qualified chiropodists.