Problems of the skin of the feet and how a pedicure specialist should act if they exist

It is simple to neglect our feet until issues occur when it comes to their maintenance. Although the skin on our feet is strong and resilient, problems that can be uncomfortable or even detrimental to our general health can still affect it. These issues—from corns and calluses to cracked heels and fungus infections—are more frequent than you may imagine.

Having an acute eye and a delicate touch are essential for handling these problems as a pedicure specialist. To ensure the best possible outcome for the client, a different approach is required for each condition. For example, in order to prevent infection, calluses may need to be smoothed and moisturized, while cracked heels may need more intensive care. Your clients’ comfort and foot health can be greatly improved by being aware of these issues and knowing how to treat them.

This post will discuss common foot skin issues and offer advice on how a pedicure specialist should handle them. Being able to handle these problems well is essential if you want to give your clients the best care possible and make sure they leave feeling as good as when they arrived, regardless of how experienced you are in the industry.

What are the problems of the skin of the feet

In addition to diagnosing issues, a manicure specialist must be able to investigate potential causes of problems, treat the desired area appropriately, choose products to be used in the salon during the procedure, and suggest the best course of action or appropriate at-home care. Which foot skin conditions are the most prevalent ones that you might run into when working with clients? Among them are:

• Cracked heels
• Corns
• Corns
• Hyperhidrosis
• Hyperkeratosis
• Dry skin.

Every one of them has potential causes, remedies, and preventative measures that can be taken to get rid of them during a pedicure. Let’s go over each issue pertaining to the skin of the feet sequentially.

Cracks in the heels: causes

Heel cracks can affect the deep layers of the dermis as well as the skin’s surface, resulting in excruciating pain when walking. As a result, in medicine, this kind of damage is known as epidermal-dermal. The size of the cracks can grow as a result of inflammation around their edges.

The primary reasons why heels crack are:

• Insufficient skin care, lack of systemic hydration and nutrition;
• Mechanical injuries and damage, including those inflicted in the pedicure room (cuts, burns, excessive removal of the top layer of skin);
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders;
• Diabetes, psoriasis;
• Thyroid diseases, hormonal imbalances;
• Fungal infections — mycoses;
• Long-term use of antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, cytostatics;
• Take hormonal drugs, including oral contraceptives;
• Strict diets, unbalanced, irrational nutrition;
• Dehydration.

If the cracks are seasonal or chronic, the client should be referred to a physician for testing and competent treatment to determine the cause. including the underlying illness that resulted in the skin cracking. A pedicure specialist is only able to eliminate the outward signs of a foot issue.

In this scenario, which physicians should be consulted for the client’s care? Making contact with a dermatologist is advised. The treatment will be administered by him or by an immunologist, gastroenterologist, or endocrinologist. After evaluating his medical condition and any accompanying symptoms, the client can decide which doctor to see or get in touch with first.

It’s also important to keep in mind that fungal infections account for 70% of complicated heel cracks. Only a number of tests can be used to identify the type of fungus. Consequently, the patient receives the necessary care, and the nail technician fixes the problem’s outward signs until the skin’s integrity is restored.

The presence of pathogenic fungi in the crack is indicated by a greenish-brown hue with varying shades. Instead of attempting to assist the patient yourself, it is preferable to send him to the doctor right away for a diagnosis and course of treatment. In particular, avoid using a tool to file down the impacted areas or using a blade to remove them after they have softened. Consider what’s best for your health and the health of the other workers in the same room. In addition, there’s a risk of spreading the infection to additional patrons of the salon.

How to treat cracked heels during a pedicure

A combined or hardware dry pedicure is advised for cracked heels. Excessive soaking is not advised, especially for deep cracks, as this will make it very difficult to remove the keratinized skin.

Deep heels cracks cannot be repaired in a single session. The filing process should be spread out over two to seven steps. Following each, the nail technician ought to apply a restorative, nourishing substance and use adhesive plaster to seal the crack. and then instruct the client to complete treating the trouble areas in compliance with the given advice.

There are three steps to treating cracks:

1. Treatment;
2. Gradual filing of the edges over 2-7 procedures;
3. Constant nutrition and hydration of the problem area and the entire foot to restore the lipid layer and PH level.

The following methods are used to treat cracks during a combination pedicure:

1. Apply an antiseptic to the foot, distribute evenly.
2. We apply a keratolytic based on urea or proteolytic enzymes, cover with a non-woven napkin and leave for 3-10 minutes.
3. Remove the napkin and treat the foot, including the heel, in three stages with a device with abrasive caps with a hardness of 100, 150 and 280 grit.
4. We treat the cracks with a diamond cutter with a truncated cone, directing it along the crack. The purpose of the manipulation is to open the crack as much as possible, turn it out, and remove dry edges, making them rounded and smooth.
5. We remove the entire keratinized layer around the crack so that it does not additionally “pull” the edges towards itself.
6. After this, the feet are again treated with an antiseptic to remove dust;
7. Apply a wax or urea-based product for quick healing.

Additional home care recommendations include using a nourishing cream to moisturize the entire body and applying wax to cracks once a day at night. Vaseline or Rescuer balm can be used in place of wax. A thick cotton sock is placed on top after the product has been applied at night under a plastic film. "Before and After" and "Hilfix" creams are two options for treating cracks.

In order to provide the best care possible for their clients, pedicure specialists must be knowledgeable about common foot skin issues as well as appropriate solutions. The specialist must be able to identify the symptoms of various conditions, such as calluses, corns, fungal infections, or dry skin, and know when to treat the client or refer them to another healthcare provider. Maintaining foot health while offering a secure and efficient pedicure experience is the ultimate objective.

Calluses

These foot skin abnormalities can be both wet and dry. They have a distinct, rounded shape with boundaries that are easy to see. A wet callus is an open wound with liquid inside, whereas a dry callus is a collection of compressed skin cells from the keratinized layer.

Callus-causing factors:

• Wearing uncomfortable shoes;
• Wearing shoes without socks;
• Congenital or acquired foot deformities, such as flat feet;
• Irregular foot care and insufficient hydration of areas that experience increased stress when walking.

A callus can hurt a lot. There’s also the rod-shaped variety, which typically shows up around the foot or toes. Because of the deep root canal, they are difficult to remove. Occasionally, viruses or fungi can pierce the core calluses, which can result in the spread of an infectious process. How to use hardware pedicure techniques to remove a core callus:

Corns

The size, irregular edges, and density of corns set them apart from calluses. They typically have an irregular shape and are larger than calluses. It is advised to treat callused feet with a combined pedicure that includes both the device and keratolytics.

If the issue is persistent, the client may be recommended to see an orthopedist and have custom insoles made to avoid calluses.

Callus-causing factors:

• Uncomfortable shoes;
• Various foot deformities (flat feet, hallux valgus);
• Diseases that upset the metabolism (diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis);
• Violations of the drinking regime.

Phases of working with maize:

• Filing in several stages;
• Constant softening and lightening of the skin;
• Wearing orthopedic insoles;
• Care with softening and moisturizing creams, masks.

It is possible to remove small calluses in a single pedicure procedure. Big ones are removed in phases since the regeneration process is also triggered if a very large area is removed right away until it turns pink. Without altering the type of shoes, the callus will consequently grow even larger while the problem area is subjected to the same loads.

Hyperhidrosis

Sweating excessively around the feet creates a warm, moist environment that is ideal for the rapid growth of fungi and bacteria. This results in skin irritation, an offensive smell, and persistent skin peeling.

It is essential to suggest that a client with hyperhidrosis be evaluated by an endocrinologist.

The primary reasons of foot hyperhidrosis:

• Thyroid gland malfunction.
• Wearing synthetic socks and tights, “non-breathable” shoes.
• Synthetic creams that form a dense film on the skin surface.

The skin is thick, swollen, moist, and challenging to file when hyperhidrosis is present. It is advised to use talc or baby powder for drying. The feet are cleaned with an alcohol-based antiseptic, dried, and then talc-treated before being filed with caps ranging in hardness from 100 to 280 grit.

To further maintain hygiene, pick the appropriate deodorant for your feet, wear clothing and undergarments made of natural materials, and practice good hygiene in the morning and evening.

Shoes must be maintained with equal scrupulousness; the insoles should be regularly cleaned with a disinfectant solution (e.g., "Multidez") and irrigated with it. Teymurov’s paste will assist in eliminating the disagreeable smell.

Dryness, peeling, hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis is the term for stratum corneum thickening. Most people consider this foot condition to be a cosmetic flaw. The keratinized skin layer can range in thickness from a few millimeters to a centimeter. Wearing synthetic shoes, being overweight, and not taking proper care of your feet are the main causes of hyperkeratosis. Consequently, calluses, corns, and cracks frequently make it worse.

Reasons behind hyperkeratosis:

• Heredity;
• Uncomfortable, tight shoes that do not allow air to pass through well;
• Excess weight;
• Age-related changes;
• Endocrine disorders;
• Fungal diseases;
• Insufficient care and moisturizing of the skin of the feet.

In the pedicure area, a combination of hardware treatment and the application of keratolytics, softeners, is used to eliminate the outward signs of hyperkeratosis.

Grinding caps with an abrasiveness of 100 to 280 grit—a transition from hard to soft abrasive—are used to remove rough skin.

Using a combined technique, the feet are treated with a grater on a slightly damp surface after the softener has been applied.

In order to avoid hyperkeratosis and excessive nail peeling, one must:

• Choose comfortable shoes;
• Conduct systematic care and moisturizing of the skin of the feet;
• Regularly use files and graters at home once every 7-10 days.

Products like cold paraffin therapy and creams with urea bases are advised. Wax applications or nourishing foot masks at night will be beneficial. One more option is to undergo paraffin therapy once every 21–30 days.

Every foot issue under consideration may have one or more underlying causes. The nail technician’s job is to assess the skin condition, choose the best elimination algorithm, and suggest the right course of action and precautions. Which techniques do you have up your sleeve for working with problematic feet? Post a comment to share!

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One comment on “Problems of the skin of the feet and how a pedicure specialist should act if they exist”

Natalia

FormaGel from the pharmacy can be helpful if you’re concerned about hyperhidrosis of the feet (it’s also effective for armpits and palms). Applying it to the skin once a week will be sufficient to reduce excessive perspiration and completely eliminate the unpleasant odor until the next application.

Problem	Action for Pedicure Specialist
Dry, Cracked Skin	Use a foot scrub to exfoliate, followed by a deep moisturizing cream. Advise clients to keep their feet hydrated at home.
Calluses	Gently file down calluses using a foot file or pumice stone. Avoid cutting them, as it can cause damage. Recommend regular exfoliation.
Ingrown Toenails	Soften the area with warm water, then carefully trim the nail. If severe, advise seeing a podiatrist.
Fungal Infections	Disinfect all tools thoroughly. Advise clients to use antifungal treatments and seek medical advice if the infection persists.
Foot Odor	Clean feet thoroughly and use antibacterial treatments. Suggest using foot powder or sprays to keep odor at bay.

Recognizing and treating skin issues is essential for keeping feet happy and healthy when it comes to foot care. Common problems that greatly affect both comfort and appearance include calluses, cracked heels, and fungal infections. In addition to treating these issues, a professional pedicure specialist is essential in ensuring that they don’t recur.

A pedicure specialist should use techniques that remove excess skin gently and without causing damage, especially for calluses and thickened skin. Frequent callus formation prevention and smooth skin can be achieved with regular exfoliation and moisturizing treatments. Additionally, it’s critical to teach clients how to take care of their feet at home by using foot creams and wearing shoes that fit properly.

Another common problem that can be uncomfortable and unsightly is cracked heels. A pedicure expert should concentrate on deep moisturizing and possibly apply specific treatments to heal and calm the skin in order to treat this. In more serious situations, it may be necessary to advise clients to see a dermatologist in order to receive more intensive care.

It’s crucial to proceed cautiously when treating fungal infections. A pedicure specialist should advise clients to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment, even though they can assist by keeping their surroundings clean and applying antifungal treatments. Preventing the spread of infections requires careful sanitization of tools and equipment.

In general, a pedicure specialist’s duties go beyond simply making feet look nice. Healthier feet and higher levels of client satisfaction can result from treating and managing skin issues with skill. Maintaining optimal foot health can be greatly impacted by appropriate treatments and routine foot care.

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