Reynauds causing corns and calluses NHS

[Kernowall]

Can anyone enlighten me and whether Reynauds can the the underlying cause of corns and calluses and wither podiatry treatment should be on the NHS if so? I am just starting to research it but seem like a pool of knowledge and experience here.

[LucyJean]

Hi there, Raynaud's doesn't cause corns and callouses. They are caused by pressure and friction...i.e. from your shoes, or socks and the way you walk. Some people have a genetic tendency to develop them more than others, and some people might naturally be a bit more lopsided, or have leg length discrepancies or any number of little defects that show up as pressure points as we get older. Some people might have jobs or leisure activities that also make them more susceptible...like someone who is always on their feet or is a sportsman for example.

However, if your circulation is impaired because of the Raynaud's then you might not feel where things are rubbing, and you might not have such awareness of how you are walking/standing/moving so it is possible you might be more susceptible to develop these things. Also any areas that have been compromised are not likely to have such good blood supply so they might not heal so well.

I think that chiropody is only available on the NHS if you have other underlying conditions such as diabetes. Podiatry can be available if you have difficulties that cause pain or problems mobilising.

All my best

Lucy x

[Kernowall in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you that was my thinking, that I may not just be feeling the rubbing etc. as they seem to quite suddenly become very painful I wasn’t really aware of because of callouses were developing. As yet I’ve only been diagnosed with Raynauds nothing else although currently being tested. I couldn’t walk a couple of days ago and had to quickly get a podiatrist and the NHS could not help but can ill-afford to do so.

Thanks for the reply.

[Glynis]

Hi, I have Sclorederma & Raynauds, I see a podiatrist on a regular basis for removal of calluses etc...I am currently attending every week due to an ulcer that they are keeping an eye on and dressing it .I see her on the NHS if you have a specialist nurse or your GP can do it get them to refere you, that's how I started.Hope you get sorted

Glynis

[GGhere]

I have very painful patches of hardened skin on the bottoms of my feet. I think they are caused by the thickening and tightening of the skin caused not by Raynauds but by scleroderma. This tight skin seems to cause the flesh on the underside of my feet to diminish so I feel like I’m walking on pebbles which is so uncomfortable. I haven’t yet asked for medical help but I’m considering doing so.

[cowhide]

I also have calluses which form mainly on my finger tips and on the ball of one of my feet. I too have scleroderma as well as Raynauds. In my area, I can self-refer for NHS podiatry - if your Raynauds is bad then it might lead to ulcers or gangrene so you should have access to the same emergency foot clinics as diabetics have. It's really important you keep checking your feet as sometimes lack of feeling can disguise a serious issue due to lack of circulation. A good moisturising cream should help keep skin soft and reduce the severity of calluses, podiatrist recommended one as high urea as possible, I use Dermatronics once a day.