Our 3 Step Traffic Light Guide. Are you in the Green?
Taking care of your feet is essential for overall health, mobility, and quality of life. A Traffic Light Guide helps you quickly understand what’s normal, what needs attention and when to seek urgent care.
How safe are your feet? Our 3 Step Traffic Light Guide. Are you in the Green?
1. Green: All Systems Go
The Status: Your feet look and feel healthy. Checklist:
- Skin is smooth without cracks or heavy calluses.
- Nails are trimmed and a healthy pink colour.
- You have full sensation (no tingling or numbness).
- No pain after a normal day of walking.
The Advice: Keep up the maintenance! Moisturize daily (but not between the toes) and ensure you’re wearing supportive footwear.
2. Amber: Proceed with Caution
The Status: Minor issues that could become big problems if ignored. Checklist:
- Build-up: Hard skin (calluses) or corns are starting to hurt.
- Structure: Slight rubbing or redness on toe joints (signs of bunions or hammer toes).
- Fungus: Discoloured nails or itchy skin between toes (Athlete’s foot).
- Footwear: Your favorite shoes are worn down on one side of the sole.
The Advice: Time for your foot MOT / tune-up. A podiatry visit can prevent these from becoming chronic issues.
3. Red: Stop and Seek Help
The Status: These are our ‘never ignore’ symptoms that require professional intervention. Checklist:
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Wounds: Any break in the skin, ulcer, or sore that isn’t healing.
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Color Changes: Feet appearing very pale, red, blue, or dusky black.
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Swelling: New or persistent swelling in one or both feet.
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Infection: Heat, pus, or unusual odours coming from your feet or nails.
Healthy feet support your entire body. Small changes can signal bigger problems, especially for people with diabetes or circulation issues. Daily care and early action can prevent serious complications.
Daily Foot Check Checklist
✔ Check tops, soles, and between toes
✔ Look for redness, swelling, cuts
✔ Check nail condition
✔ Feel for temperature differences
✔ Notice any pain or numbness
The Advice: Do not ‘wait and see’ . Contact us or your local podiatrist immediately.
Time⏱️ for advice or a check-up?
Book your February Assessment now. Let’s keep your feet and toenails in tip 🔝 shape!
We are independent prescribers able to prescribe any medication from the BNF relevant to the lower limb, foot and ankle.
Are you suffering from any nail condition? At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help. One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. Podiatrist South Kensington
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at +44 (0) 207 101 4000.
We hope you have a feetastic day!
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
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