Podiatry: Why Healthy Feet Matter More Than You Think And When to See a Podiatrist

Imagine someone in their early 40s.

They walk to work, spend hours on their feet, exercise occasionally, go for jogs sometimes and rarely give their feet much thought.

Then something begins to change.

Perhaps there's a small patch of hard skin underneath the foot that has become uncomfortable. Maybe a toenail has started pressing into the skin, or there's a sharp pain in the heel when they first get out of bed.

At first, it doesn't seem particularly serious.

They buy a corn plaster from the pharmacy, try filing away the hard skin, change their shoes or simply hope the problem will disappear.

But weeks later, the discomfort is still there.

They might wonder, "It's only my foot. Surely I don't need to see a specialist?"

What they may not realise is that their feet are among the most mechanically complex and hardworking parts of the body.

And a seemingly minor foot problem can sometimes be a sign of something that deserves professional attention.

To understand why, we need to look at what our feet actually do for us.

Your Feet: The Foundations of Your Body

Think of your feet as the foundations of a building.

Every time you stand, walk, run or climb stairs, they support your body weight, absorb impact and help maintain balance.

Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints and a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

Together, these structures allow your feet to adapt to different surfaces, distribute pressure and move your body forwards.

During walking, the forces passing through your feet can exceed your body weight.

When running, those forces can be considerably greater.

And yet, most of us pay little attention to our feet until something starts to hurt.

A small change in how your foot moves, a poorly fitting shoe, persistent friction or an untreated skin or nail condition can gradually affect the way you walk.

Sometimes the discomfort remains localised.

Sometimes you begin to compensate by changing how you place your foot on the ground, potentially affecting your ankles, knees, hips or lower back.

This is why good foot health isn't simply about keeping your feet looking neat.

It's about maintaining comfort, mobility, independence and quality of life.

And this is where podiatry becomes important.

What Is Podiatry?

Podiatry is a specialist area of healthcare concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs.

A podiatrist is a qualified healthcare professional trained to understand both the structure and function of the foot, as well as the skin, nails, circulation and nerves that keep it healthy.

You may also have heard the term chiropodist.

In the UK, podiatrist and chiropodist are protected professional titles regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Both describe professionals qualified to assess and treat foot problems.

Podiatry involves far more than cutting toenails or removing hard skin.

A podiatrist may identify underlying causes of pain, assess the way you walk, examine changes in circulation or sensation, treat common skin and nail conditions, and help prevent problems from returning.

Some podiatrists also specialise in sports injuries, biomechanics, diabetic foot care or minor nail surgery.

The important distinction is that podiatry is a clinical healthcare service, rather than simply a cosmetic foot treatment.

What Does a Podiatrist Actually Look At?

When our patient finally books a podiatry appointment, they might expect the podiatrist to examine only the uncomfortable area.

But a proper foot assessment can involve much more.

1. The Skin: More Than Just Hard Skin

The skin on your feet performs an important protective function.

It regularly experiences pressure, friction, moisture and changes in temperature.

When certain areas are repeatedly exposed to excessive pressure, the skin responds by becoming thicker.

This is how corns and calluses develop.

A podiatrist looks at the appearance, location and severity of skin changes, but also considers why they have developed.

For example, a painful corn under the forefoot might be associated with the way pressure is distributed during walking.

Removing the hard skin may provide relief, but understanding the cause can help reduce the likelihood of it returning.

A podiatrist may also assess cracked heels, blisters, fungal skin infections, verrucas and other skin abnormalities.

2. The Toenails: Small Structures, Big Problems

Toenails may seem relatively insignificant.

But changes in their thickness, shape, colour or direction of growth can cause considerable discomfort.

A podiatrist examines the nail and the surrounding skin for signs of injury, infection or abnormal growth.

Thickened nails can develop from repeated pressure, previous trauma, fungal infection or other conditions.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into or presses against the surrounding skin, causing pain and sometimes inflammation or infection.

Proper assessment is important because not every discoloured or thickened nail is caused by fungus, and treatment depends on identifying the likely cause.

3. Foot Structure and Movement

Your feet are designed to move, bend and adapt.

But everyone's foot shape and walking pattern are slightly different.

Some people have high arches. Others have lower arches or flatter feet.

These differences are not necessarily problems.

However, when foot structure, footwear, injury or movement patterns contribute to excessive strain, pain can develop.

Depending on their expertise, a podiatrist may examine joint movement, foot alignment, walking mechanics and areas of abnormal pressure.

This is sometimes called a biomechanical assessment or gait analysis.

The aim is not to make everyone's feet look or move in exactly the same way.

It's to understand whether the way your feet function is contributing to pain or injury.

4. Circulation and Nerve Function

Your feet depend on a healthy blood supply and functioning nerves.

Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, while nerves allow you to feel pressure, pain, temperature and touch.

Certain medical conditions, particularly diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, can affect these systems.

A podiatrist may assess circulation by checking foot pulses, skin temperature and other clinical signs.

They may also assess sensation, particularly in patients who experience numbness, tingling or reduced feeling in their feet.

These checks are particularly important because reduced sensation can allow minor injuries to go unnoticed.

And when circulation is impaired, even a small wound may take longer to heal.

Common Foot Problems a Podiatrist Can Treat

Many people search for a podiatrist only after a specific foot problem becomes painful.

But there are numerous conditions that may benefit from professional podiatry assessment and treatment.

Corns and Calluses: Why Does Hard Skin Keep Coming Back?

Our patient notices a small, painful patch of hard skin underneath the foot.

They file it down.

It improves temporarily.

Then, a few weeks later, it returns.

Why?

Because hard skin is often a response to repeated pressure or friction.

Calluses are broader areas of thickened skin, commonly found on the heels or soles.

Corns are more concentrated areas of hardened skin, often with a central core that can become painful when pressure is applied.

They may develop because of footwear, foot shape, pressure distribution or changes in the way someone walks.

A podiatrist can carefully reduce corns and calluses using appropriate clinical instruments and assess ways to reduce the pressure that caused them.

This is particularly important when the hard skin is painful, recurrent or associated with diabetes or poor circulation.

The aim is not simply to remove the thickened skin.

It's to understand why the foot is producing it.

Ingrown Toenails: When a Small Nail Causes Significant Pain

Imagine a toenail gradually pressing into the soft skin beside it.

Initially, there may be only mild tenderness.

Then the area becomes red, swollen and painful, particularly when wearing shoes.

In some cases, infection develops.

This is a typical presentation of an ingrown toenail, also called onychocryptosis.

It commonly affects the big toe.

Potential contributing factors include cutting the nails too short, trimming deeply into the corners, tight footwear, nail shape and repeated trauma.

Trying to dig out the corner of an ingrown nail with scissors or other sharp instruments can damage the surrounding tissue.

A podiatrist can assess the nail, provide appropriate conservative treatment and advise on preventing recurrence.

For more severe or repeatedly ingrown toenails, a suitably trained podiatrist may recommend a minor nail procedure under local anaesthetic.

Early assessment can often prevent a relatively straightforward problem from becoming more complicated.

Verrucas: Why Are They So Difficult to Get Rid Of?

A verruca is a wart that develops on the foot, caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Verrucas commonly appear on the soles of the feet and may have a rough surface with tiny dark dots.

Because they develop in areas that carry body weight, they can become flattened or grow inwards under pressure.

Some are painless.

Others produce discomfort that feels like stepping on a small stone.

Many verrucas disappear naturally over time, but some persist for months or longer.

People often try over-the-counter verruca treatments without being entirely sure whether the lesion is a verruca, corn or another skin condition.

A podiatrist can assess the area, explain the available treatment options and help determine whether treatment or monitoring is most appropriate.

Treatment isn't always necessary, and even professional treatment cannot guarantee that a verruca will disappear immediately or never return.

Fungal Toenails and Athlete's Foot

Fungal infections are another common reason people seek professional foot care.

Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, often causes itching, peeling, scaling or cracking, particularly between the toes.

Fungal nail infection, known as onychomycosis, can cause toenails to become discoloured, thickened, brittle or distorted.

However, not every thick or yellow toenail has a fungal infection.

Repeated trauma, psoriasis and other nail conditions can produce similar changes.

This matters because antifungal treatment is unlikely to help if fungus isn't the cause.

A podiatrist can examine the nails and skin, recommend appropriate next steps and advise when testing or additional medical treatment is required.

Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis

Now imagine our patient developing a sharp pain beneath the heel.

It's particularly noticeable during the first few steps in the morning.

After walking around for a while, the discomfort may improve, only to return after prolonged standing or activity.

One possible cause is plantar fasciitis, also called plantar fasciopathy.

The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue running along the underside of the foot, helping support its arch.

When this tissue is exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate, pain may develop.

But not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis.

Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is why professional assessment can be helpful.

Management may include appropriate exercises, changes to activity, footwear advice or other treatments, depending on the diagnosis.

Bunions, Foot Deformities and Pressure Problems

A bunion, medically called hallux valgus, develops when the big toe gradually deviates towards the smaller toes and a bony prominence becomes noticeable at the base of the big toe.

Some bunions cause little or no discomfort.

Others produce pain, rubbing against footwear or difficulty finding comfortable shoes.

Hammer toes and other toe deformities can also create areas of pressure, corns and skin irritation.

A podiatrist can assess the symptoms and advise on appropriate footwear, pressure relief and other non-surgical approaches.

Not every bunion needs surgery, and not every change in foot shape requires treatment.

The important question is whether it is affecting comfort, mobility or daily life.

Why You Shouldn't Always Try to Treat Foot Problems Yourself

It's understandable that many people first try to manage foot problems at home.

After all, pharmacies and online shops sell a wide range of corn plasters, foot files, verruca treatments, nail products and insoles.

And for some mild conditions, sensible self-care is entirely appropriate.

But there is an important difference between maintaining healthy feet and attempting to diagnose or treat a problem without understanding its cause.

1. You May Be Treating the Wrong Condition

A painful area beneath the foot might be a corn.

But it could also be a verruca, an inflamed area of skin or another condition requiring different management.

Similarly, a thickened nail may be fungal, but it could have developed from repeated trauma.

Treatments that work for one condition may do little for another.

A podiatrist begins by assessing what the problem actually is.

2. Home Treatments Can Damage Healthy Skin

Some over-the-counter corn and verruca treatments contain acids designed to break down skin.

If used incorrectly, they may irritate or damage surrounding healthy tissue.

Attempting to cut away hard skin using blades or sharp tools also risks injury and infection.

This is especially concerning for people with diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation.

Professional podiatry treatment allows the affected area to be managed with appropriate equipment and clinical judgement.

3. Removing the Symptom Doesn't Always Remove the Cause

This is particularly true for corns and calluses.

You may remove the hard skin.

But if the same area continues experiencing excessive pressure, the skin may thicken again.

Likewise, changing footwear may temporarily reduce discomfort without addressing another contributing problem.

A podiatrist looks beyond the visible symptom to consider the factors that may be causing it.

4. Delaying Treatment Can Make Some Problems Worse

A mildly ingrown toenail may progress to significant inflammation or infection.

An untreated pressure point can become increasingly painful.

A small wound in someone with diabetes or impaired circulation may become a much more serious problem.

This doesn't mean every foot complaint is an emergency.

It means recognising when self-care is insufficient, and when professional or urgent medical attention is appropriate.

Diabetes and Foot Health: Why Regular Assessment Matters

For people living with diabetes, foot care deserves particular attention.

Diabetes can affect the small nerves supplying the feet, causing a condition known as peripheral neuropathy.

Over time, this may reduce the ability to feel pain, pressure or temperature normally.

Diabetes may also be associated with impaired circulation and an increased risk of poor wound healing.

Imagine developing a small blister from a new pair of shoes.

Normally, pain encourages you to remove the shoe and protect the area.

But if sensation is reduced, you may not notice the blister at all.

Continued pressure can allow the skin to break down, potentially leading to an ulcer.

This is why people with diabetes are advised to have regular foot assessments and to check their feet for changes.

Podiatrists play an important role in diabetic foot screening, risk assessment, education and prevention, with specialist services managing more complex problems.

Importantly, if you have diabetes and develop a new wound, ulcer, or a red, hot, swollen foot, seek urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Prevention and early recognition are particularly important in protecting long-term foot health.

What Happens During a Podiatry Appointment?

If you've never visited a podiatrist before, you may not know what to expect.

A podiatry consultation usually begins with a discussion.

The podiatrist will want to understand what has been happening, how long you've had the problem and whether it is affecting your daily activities.

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, the assessment may include:

1. Your medical history: including existing health conditions, medications, previous foot problems and relevant lifestyle factors.
2. Examination of the feet: checking the skin, toenails, painful areas and any visible changes.
3. Circulation and sensation: assessing these when clinically appropriate, particularly if there are risk factors.
4. Foot structure and movement: considering how the feet function and whether mechanical pressure is contributing to symptoms.
5. Treatment and advice: providing appropriate care, discussing footwear and home management, or recommending further assessment where needed.

Not every patient will require every type of examination.

Someone attending for routine foot care will have different needs from a patient experiencing persistent heel pain or a person with diabetes who needs a specialist risk assessment.

The most useful approach is one that considers the individual, rather than treating every foot problem in exactly the same way.

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

People often assume they should only seek help when a foot problem becomes severe.

But there are many reasons to arrange a podiatry assessment before discomfort starts interfering with everyday life.

Consider seeing a podiatrist if:

• You have painful corns, calluses or recurring hard skin.
• You have an ingrown, thickened, damaged or difficult-to-cut toenail.
• You are concerned about a verruca or possible fungal infection.
• You experience persistent or recurring foot or heel pain.
• You notice changes in the shape or function of your feet.
• You find it difficult to manage routine foot care safely.
• You have a medical condition that increases your risk of foot complications.
• You would like advice on maintaining healthy feet and preventing future problems.

Severe pain, a suddenly hot and swollen foot, signs of a spreading infection, inability to walk after an injury or a new foot wound in someone with diabetes may require urgent medical care rather than a routine podiatry consultation.

Why Foot Health Becomes Increasingly Important as We Age

As we get older, our feet naturally undergo changes.

The skin may become drier or less elastic.

Toenails may become thicker or more difficult to manage.

The natural cushioning beneath the feet can change, and reduced joint mobility or muscle strength may affect balance and walking.

Medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and circulatory disease may also become more common with age.

For some people, bending down to inspect or cut their toenails becomes difficult.

For others, a small corn or painful nail can make walking less comfortable.

And when walking becomes painful, people may gradually become less active.

This can affect physical fitness, muscle strength, balance and independence.

Maintaining comfortable, healthy feet is therefore an important part of healthy ageing.

Regular foot care, appropriate footwear, physical activity and timely professional assessment can all help people remain mobile.

Podiatry at Windwood Health Clinic, Shepherd's Bush

At Windwood Health Clinic, we believe that good foot health is an important part of overall wellbeing.

Your feet carry you through your working day, your exercise routine, your daily errands and the activities you enjoy.

When discomfort develops, it can have a surprisingly significant effect on your quality of life.

Our podiatry and foot care services in Shepherd's Bush, West London, include routine foot care, assessment and management of skin and nail concerns, and verruca treatment.

Whether you're experiencing uncomfortable hard skin, concerned about a toenail or looking for professional advice about a persistent foot problem, the starting point is understanding your individual needs.

A podiatry consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, have your feet assessed and understand the appropriate options for care.

Where a problem requires a different type of specialist assessment or treatment, appropriate advice or referral may be recommended.

We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. The right treatment should reflect the condition of your feet, your medical history and the way you live.

Professional Foot Care Close to Home in West London

Windwood Health Clinic is located at 96 Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 9BL, welcoming patients from Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Acton, White City, Notting Hill, Ealing, Kensington and the surrounding West London area.

If you've been searching for a podiatrist in Shepherd's Bush, podiatry in West London, a chiropodist near W12, or professional treatment for corns, calluses, verrucas and toenail problems, our team can help you explore the appropriate foot care options.

You don't have to wait until a foot problem becomes unbearable before seeking advice.

Because healthy feet aren't just about appearance.

They're about being able to walk comfortably, stay active and enjoy everyday life.

Book a Podiatry Consultation at Windwood Health Clinic

This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for an individual medical assessment. Podiatry treatments vary according to the condition and the practitioner's scope of practice. Please contact the clinic to confirm the availability of specific treatments.