Personal FootcareEducation ProgrammeSections 6 - 8

Developed by the Scottish Government Personal Footcare Working Group, January 2013. With acknowledgment for the content of these slides to the Podiatry Services of NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Lothian and Cardiff and Vale UHB.

Content of the ProgrammeContent of the Programme

This education programme contains 8 This education programme contains 8 sections:sections:

Section 1: What is personal footcareSection 1: What is personal footcare Section 2: Keeping feet cleanSection 2: Keeping feet clean Section 3: Skin care and Checking feetSection 3: Skin care and Checking feet Section 4: FootwearSection 4: Footwear Section 5: What to do if you spot a problemSection 5: What to do if you spot a problem

Section 6: Nail cutting and filing Section 6: Nail cutting and filing Section 7: Nail conditions Section 7: Nail conditions Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Section 6: Nail cutting and filingSection 6: Nail cutting and filing

Consent, privacy and dignity for the Consent, privacy and dignity for the personperson

Wash your handsWash your hands Clean the feetClean the feet SeatingSeating LightingLighting Personal footcare equipment Personal footcare equipment Place paper towel under feetPlace paper towel under feet

Nail structureNail structure

Image courtesy of Cardiff &

Vale UHB Podiatry Service

Direction for filing nails

How to cut/file a persons toenailsHow to cut/file a persons toenails

Cutting toenailsCutting toenails

If right handed use left hand to hold the If right handed use left hand to hold the toe and with the left thumb add tension toe and with the left thumb add tension to the pulp of the toe pulling the tip of to the pulp of the toe pulling the tip of the toe down away from the nail platethe toe down away from the nail plate

Check for vascular skin tufts under the Check for vascular skin tufts under the nail platenail plate

Filing toenails

Filing the nails Filing the nails should either be should either be side to side for side to side for thick nails or down thick nails or down across the free nail across the free nail edge edge

Image courtesy of NHS Lothian Podiatry Service

Bleeding points

Adopt regular ‘first aid’ proceduresAdopt regular ‘first aid’ procedures

Apply pressure to stop bleeding Apply pressure to stop bleeding Apply sterile plaster or dressingApply sterile plaster or dressing Keep plaster / dressing on for no more Keep plaster / dressing on for no more

than 2 days after which the area should be than 2 days after which the area should be checkedchecked

Record on the care plan Record on the care plan Contact Podiatry or the persons GP if Contact Podiatry or the persons GP if

concernedconcerned

Section 7: Nail Conditions

The next series of slides will show The next series of slides will show examples of toenails you may not examples of toenails you may not feel confident to attempt to cutfeel confident to attempt to cut

Deciding some toenails are beyond Deciding some toenails are beyond your capabilities can be the right your capabilities can be the right decision to make decision to make

Some of the following will require a Some of the following will require a referral to the podiatristreferral to the podiatrist

Nail conditionsThickened toenail Nails compromised by poor

circulation

Ingrown toenail Fungal nail

Images courtesy of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Podiatry Service

Neglected toenails

Images courtesy of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Podiatry Service

Challenging toenails

Most of the previous nails were examples Most of the previous nails were examples of nails requiring initial assessment by a of nails requiring initial assessment by a podiatrist or podiatry assistantpodiatrist or podiatry assistant

Tackle only those toenails that you feel Tackle only those toenails that you feel you are confident to cut and which have you are confident to cut and which have been assessed by the Podiatry Servicebeen assessed by the Podiatry Service

As a guide, the nails you should treat are As a guide, the nails you should treat are those which an individual would normally those which an individual would normally do themselves do themselves

Section 8: Frequently asked questions

When should we cut nails?When should we cut nails? How often do we cut them?How often do we cut them? What if they are too hard?What if they are too hard? Can we use scissors to cut toenails?Can we use scissors to cut toenails? How do we know whose nails to cut and How do we know whose nails to cut and

whose not to?whose not to? What to do if redness, pain, swelling or What to do if redness, pain, swelling or

pus is evident?pus is evident? Why doesn’t the podiatrist cut toe nails?Why doesn’t the podiatrist cut toe nails? Where can I buy footcare equipment?Where can I buy footcare equipment?

Review of Learning Outcomes

By the end of this programme you should be able to:

Explain the importance of good personal footcare Clip and file toe nails safely Recognise why feet need to be checked on a

regular basis Explain the importance of good skin care Describe the correct features of good fitting

footwear Be aware of the referral criteria/pathway to their

local NHS podiatry service and recognise when to make a referral

Local Contact Details

Trainer contact details

Local NHS podiatry service

Further information Feet for life:

www.feetforlife.org Age Scotland:

www.agescotland.org.uk

Diabetes UK www.diabetes.org.uk

Image courtesy of Cardiff and Vale USB Podiatry Service

Thank You