As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and our feet are no exception. Skin becomes drier, nails thicken, and mobility may decrease, leading to increased foot problems. This is where a podiatrist becomes an invaluable asset to maintaining overall well-being.

Why Geriatric Foot Care Matters

Most elderly individuals seek toenail care from local pedicure and manicure salons. While this practice has been common for many years, it involves several risks:

• Sterilisation of instruments (nail clippers and foot files): There have been numerous reports of patients contracting fungal toenail infections after visiting nail salons. Although not definitively proven as the direct cause, certain practices in many salons increase the risk of fungal infections.

• Skill level: The skill level varies among technicians. It is difficult to determine the training and experience of nail salon technicians in handling complex toenail conditions (e.g., ingrown toenails or thickened toenails). Their ability to manage these issues often relies on years of experience and results, which may potentially harm elderly patients.
  
  
• Language barrier: Many elderly individuals have limited English proficiency and primarily speak their native language. Communicating foot issues and concerns effectively in a nail salon can be challenging due to language barriers.

• Pain during toenail care: It is absolutely unacceptable for toenail care to be painful. Some salons falsely claim that ingrown toenail removal should be painful. However, it’s a medical condition that requires management by a trained medical professional or podiatrist. In severe cases, practitioners may administer a small amount of local anesthesia to facilitate comfortable ingrown toenail removal.