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A comprehensive education programme developed by the Scottish Government Personal Footcare Working Group. It covers topics such as foot hygiene, skin care, nail care, footwear, and recognizing and managing foot problems.
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Personal FootcareEducation ProgrammeSections 1- 5 Developed by the Scottish Government Personal Footcare Working Group, January 2013. With acknowledgment for the content of these slides to the Podiatry Services of NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Lothian and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Content of the Programme This education programme contains 8 sections: Section 1: What is personal footcare Section 2: Keeping feet clean Section 3: Skin care and checking feet Section 4: Footwear Section 5: What to do if you spot a problem Section 6: Nail cutting and filing Section 7: Nail conditions Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Learning Outcomes By the end of this programme you should be able to: • Explain the importance of good personal footcare • Clip and file toe nails safely • Recognise why feet need to be checked on a regular basis • Explain the importance of good skin care • Describe the correct features of good fitting footwear • Be aware of the referral criteria/pathway to their local NHS podiatry service and recognise when to make a referral
Section 1: What is Personal Footcare Personal footcare is the term used for what a healthy adult would normally do for themselves for their feet if they are able to. It includes; • Keeping feet clean • Skin care • Checking that feet are in good order • Keeping toenails at a good length • Choosing good fitting footwear • Getting help if you spot a problem
A personal footcare toolkit • Nail clippers or nippers • Nail file or emery board • Plasters • Skin wipes • Moisturising cream • Surgical spirit
Exclusions • Poor blood supply • Poor sensation - numbness • Medication e.g. anticoagulants, steroids, chemotherapy • Diabetes – screened as high risk • Rheumatoid Arthritis – unless assessed as suitable • Certain skin and nail conditions where there is inflammation, discharge or pain • Severe swelling of the feet and toes
Section 2: Keeping feet clean • Wash feet daily in warm water • Use a soft brush • Don’t soak for too long - no more than 10 minutes • Pat gently dry • Use cotton pads or buds to dry gently between the toes
Section 3: Skin Care and Checking Feet • Keep feet clean • Apply moisturiser if skin is dry • Check in between toes • Apply surgical spirit between toes is skin is moist • Check heels for pressure damage Images courtesy of NHS Lothian
Common skin conditions Images courtesy of NHS Lothian hard skin - callus corns
Dry skin • Dry (Anhydrotic skin) • Cracked heels/fissures
Moist Skin • Hyperidrosis • Athletes foot
Section 4: Footwear • Wear well fitting shoes, a foot shaped shoe! • Round toed shoes with good depth • Avoid synthetic materials • Your shoe should support your foot • Laces, Velcro, Buckles.
Slippers • Occasional wear • Straps/velcro • Sturdy sole
Section 5: What to do if you spot a problem Signs of infection • Pain • Swelling • Heat • Redness • Pus and blood may also be present Images courtesy of NHS Lothian
High risk foot Images courtesy of Cardiff & Vale USB Podiatry Service
Neglected nails Image courtesy of NHS Lothian