Feet

Question 1

what patient with feet problems should be referred (3)

Answer 1

1. Children
2. Diabetics
3. elderly people

Question 2

What are foot conditions (7)

Answer 2

1. Corns and calluses
2. Chilblains
3. Blisters
4. Bunions
5. Ingrown toenails
6. Dry skin on the feet
7. Sweaty feet

Question 3

What are corns and calluses (4)

Answer 3

1. hardened, thick areas on the skin of the feet as a result of this skin undergoing prolonged pressure or friction.
2. Hard corns form over the bones, either in the top, bottom sole or sides of the foot.
3. Soft corns (which form similarly to hard corns) normally form in between the toes where it is moist.
4. Calluses are larger areas of hard skin normally formed on the ball or heel of the foot.

Question 4

What are the causes of corns and calluses (2)

Answer 4

1. Ill-fitting or rubbing shoes
2. walking or running too much as this can put pressure on the foot.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of corns and calluses

Answer 5

pain and soreness

Question 6

What are treatments for corns (3)

Answer 6

1. Corn plasters and treatments are available to purchase OTC.
2. care must be taken to ensure that normal surrounding skin is protected during treatment.
3. These products may not be suitable for patients with diabetes or those with thinner skin.

Question 7

What are treatments for calluses

Answer 7

refer to podiatrist as specialists may be able to remove calluses using a blade or by providing specialist insoles to reduce the discomfort.

Question 8

How are corns and calluses prevented (3)

Answer 8

1. Apply a moisturising foot cream to prevent soft calluses forming
2. use a pumice stone or foot file to carefully remove hard skin
3. wear comfortable fitting shoes.

Question 9

What are the special cautions for corns and calluses (4)

Answer 9

1. Patients with diabetes = GP/chiropodist/nurse
2. poor circulation = GP/chiropodist/nurse
3. under 12 = GP/chiropodist/nurse
4. Salicylic acid can burn healthy skin which should be protected while it is being used, for instance, by applying white soft paraffin for example, petroleum jelly, to the surrounding healthy skin.

Question 10

What are blisters (2)

Answer 10

1. fluid-filled bumps on the skin designed to protect the underneath skin from further damage allowing it to heal
2. Painfully sore pockets filled with clear liquid.

Question 11

What causes blisters

Answer 11

Ill-fitting footwear causing friction.

Question 12

What treatment is there for blisters (5)

Answer 12

1. Blisters are usually self-limiting and will heal within a week.
2. Blisters should not be deliberately burst, although by the time they are noticed, the top may have already been rubbed off.
3. Complete blisters should be covered with padding to protect the area
4. if they have burst they should be cleaned and kept protected from infection with a sterile non-stick dressing.
5. There are hydrocolloid dressings (moist dressings) available that act as a second skin to protect and cushion the blister, allowing it to heal without further friction damage, reduce pain and speed up healing.

Question 13

What are bunions (3)

Answer 13

1. form when there is an overgrowth of a bone on the big toe joints.
2. A bunion is a deformity of the joint of the big toe.
3. This deformity of the joint causes the bone at the base of the big toe to stick out and the big toe to become angled towards to the other toes in the foot.

Question 14

What causes bunions (3)

Answer 14

1. The exact cause is unknown
2. bunions are thought to be caused by a defective bone structure which could be caused by a genetic factor.
3. This can further be aggravated by wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Question 15

What are symptoms of bunions (3)

Answer 15

1. extremely painful
2. big toe pointing towards the other toes on the same foot
3. swelling over the big toe.

Question 16

What are the treatmens for bunions (3)

Answer 16

1. Painkillers
2. padding
3. surgery

Question 17

What causes ingrown toenails (4)

Answer 17

1. badly cut nails
2. wearing tight shoes
3. sweaty feet
4. injury.

Question 18

What are symptoms of ingrown toenails

Answer 18

Painful inflamed skin at corner of nail which can become infected.

Question 19

What are the treatments for ingrown toenails (5)

Answer 19

1. An inflamed, bleeding or infected ingrown toenail needs to be referred to the GP.
2. ensuring the feet are cleaned regularly
3. cutting toenails straight instead of at an angle
4. easing the skin gently away from the nail
5. purchasing good fitting footwear.

Question 20

What is sweaty feet (2)

Answer 20

1. Sweat is produced from sweat glands in the skin of the feet which can build up and cause the feet to smell.
2. It is usually more common in adolescents and pregnant women who are subject to hormonal changes making them produce more sweat than usual.

Question 21

What causes sweaty feet (6)

Answer 21

1. Unwashed feet
2. trainers
3. shoes and socks made of man-made material
4. hormonal changes
5. certain medical conditions
6. not letting your shoes dry before wearing them again.

Question 22

What treatments are there for sweaty feet (5)

Answer 22

1. Wash feet regularly
2. use special talc that can be bought over the counter
3. special impregnated insoles.
4. Customers can also be advised to use anti-bacterial soap
5. let shoes dry entirely before wearing them again.

Question 23

What is chilblains (2)

Answer 23

1. painful inflammation of small blood vessels that can occur anywhere on the skin
2. usually affecting the feet, particularly the smaller toes, which can become itchy, red and can blister.

Question 24

What causes chilblains (2)

Answer 24

1. the bodies reaction to cold weather/temperature fluctuations.
2. Chilblains are more common in those with poor circulation, family history of the condition, prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions, and certain medical conditions.

Question 25

What are the symptoms of chilblains (3)

Answer 25

1. Sore 2. itchy 3. purple/red swellings that may sting or burn when the temperature increases.

Question 26

What treatment is there for chilblains (5)

Answer 26

1. Chilblains are usually self-limiting and will resolve within two to three weeks. 2. Calamine 3. witch hazel can be useful to reduce the itching. 4. Refer the customer to the pharmacist. 5. Severe chilblains will need to be referred to their GP.

Question 27

What special cautions are there for chilblains (5)

Answer 27

1. You can advise customers not to let their feet get too cold and not to heat them up again too quickly. 2. Also advise them not to wear tight hosiery or foot wear 3. improve circulation by keeping active 4. wear warm clothing 5. avoid wearing wet shoes.

Question 28

What causes dry skin on the feet (5)

Answer 28

1. Dehydration of the skin 2. can be aggravated by wind and cold weather 3. chemicals 4. moisture removing soaps 5. aging or skin conditions such as eczema.

Question 29

What are symptoms of dry skin on the feet (2)

Answer 29

1. mild to more severe forms that can lead to additional complications such as infection. 2. Thickened skin is commonly found on the heels, but can occur elsewhere on the foot, which can crack, and easily become infected.

Question 30

What treatment is there for dry skin on the feet (2)

Answer 30

1. Emollient creams are most effective if they are applied after the feet have been soaked in warm water 2. use soaps and shower gels that are mild and moisturising.

Question 31

What special cautions are there for dry skin on the feet

Answer 31

If any signs of infection are apparent, refer the customer to the pharmacist as a GP referral may be necessary.