4 Tips To Get The Most From Your Podiatry Appointment

How to Make the Most of Your Podiatry Appointment...

I thought it might be beneficial to compile a list of small things you can do (or not do!) to prepare for your podiatry appointment, so that you can get the most out of your visit. These are tips I’ve noticed over the years that I advise my patients for their follow-up appointments.

1. Take Your Nail Polish Off

If you want any treatment or advice on your nails, we need to be able to see them! This includes cutting and filing, addressing ingrown toenails, providing fungal nail advice, etc.

• Regular Nail Polish: We can remove it with nail polish remover (provided your podiatrist has it available), but this will eat into your consultation time.

• Gel Nail Polish: This poses a bit more of a problem. Some podiatrists have access to special burrs to remove the polish without damage, but this isn’t always possible. Gel polish can clog files, rendering them ineffective.

  
  

If you don’t need any nail treatment, of course, this doesn’t apply to you!

2. Don’t Soak Your Feet Immediately Before Your Appointment

While soaking your feet can help with dry skin and keeping your feet soft, it’s not a good idea to do so directly before your podiatry appointment.

• It makes the skin soft and can mask areas that need treatment, such as calluses.

• Using very sharp instruments on recently wet skin isn’t advised.

• Soaking softens the nails and cuticles, making them more permeable to infection.

We really appreciate the effort, but it won’t help you get the best out of your appointment.

3. Don’t Use Cream Immediately Before Your Appointment

Similar to soaking, using foot cream close to your appointment can make the skin soft and mask areas needing treatment. Additionally, it can make the skin slippery, and if your podiatrist needs to use tape for a dressing or padding, the cream could prevent it from sticking.

We recommend regular use of emollients, but you can skip it just before your appointment, as your podiatrist will likely apply cream for you at the end.

4. Don’t Use Medicated Corn Plasters

I could write a whole separate post about medicated corn plasters, but for now, I'll just say STAY AWAY!

• Salicylic Acid: These plasters contain salicylic acid, which macerates both the corn and the surrounding skin. This makes it hard for your podiatrist to safely and effectively remove the corn and can also damage your skin.

  
  

If you have a painful corn, make an appointment with your podiatrist and use non-medicated padding to make it more comfortable in the meantime. Just avoid the acid!

I hope these tips help you prepare for your podiatry appointment!