Episode Guide
Episode 4 - Feet
Wednesday 6th May 2009, 8pm Channel 4
This week’s episode starts with a visit to the clinic for Natalie, a 31-year-old woman who has had to endure taunts from children about the boils and cysts that she has suffered since childhood. Dr Pixie suspects she is suffering from painful cystic acne, and sends her to a specialist for treatment with antibiotics and lazer resurfacing. On returning to the clinic, Natalie has been prescribed the contraceptive pill and some small skin grafts that drastically improve the appearance of her condition.
The EB bus heads to Merseyside, where Dr Christian sees a case of a pierced problem nipple, whilst Dr Pixie sees a case of dermatitis that has it’s sufferer scratching himself in a very sensitive area. Meanwhile Christian puts a hydrocele sufferers mind at ease.
Dr James meets Thomas, whose mouthful of manky molars has left him with a smile that would worry a 70-year-old, but he’s only 20! Dr James recommends implants, but Thomas’s smoking substantially reduces the success rate, so dentures are going to have to be tried first.
Read Dr James’ guide to How to Look After Your Teeth >
The docs hit the streets of Liverpool to talk about feet, helped out by local podiatric surgeon Emma Supple, with some cases of calloused corns and nail psoriasis on display. The docs also hit the streets of Merseyside to see if they can persuade the ladies of Liverpool to give high heals the heave ho…
Next in the clinic is Anna, who has come in with a swollen arm and leg that Dr Christian diagnoses as Lymphodema. After visiting a specialist clinic, Anna starts a course of treatment involving manually massaging the excess fluid out of the swollen limbs.
Dr Pixie sees a young woman called Emma who is suffering from a hernia and excess skin after two pregnancies. Dr Pixie sends her off to a surgeon for repair to her umbilical hernia, and removal of the excess skin.
Next up, Dr Priya sees an unusual case of an abscess just above a man’s bottom, called a Pilonidal Sinus. The amount of hair in the area seems to be to blame, with hair filling up a pit in the skin and causing an infection to develop. The first treatment used is a lazer to remove the problem causing hair, followed by a surgical procedure to remove the infected follicles, which is full of matted hair.
And finally, this week’s body check sees our guinea pig group checking their urine for signs of ill health. Dr Christian talks to them about the reasons behind the differing colours and what the warning signs are to look out for. You can take the urine test yourself here >>
The EB Team would like to thank:
Dr Puneet Gupta, Cosmetic Dermatologist
Ms Angelica Kavouni, Plastic Surgeon at Cosmetic Solutions
Mr Mark Whiteley, Consultant Vascular Specialist
Mr Dalvi Humzah, Cosmetic / Plastic Surgeon
Janet McConnon, The Brighton Laser Clinic
Mr Andrew Clarke, General and Colorectal Surgeon
Dr David De Berker, Consultant Dermatologist, Bristol Royal Infirmary
Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company
The Arcadians
The Argosy
Solihull Operatic Society
Queensbridge Musical Theatre Society
Alexandra Theatre
Baker Street Medical Centre
Film Birmingham
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I am 15 and I have these tiny white lumps underneath my skin that are all over the side of my feet. But they only appear when I put weight on my feet and then they feel hard. But when I don't put any weight on my feet they can not be seen or felt. They do not hurt or cause me discomfort but I am curious as to what they are because I can't find these symptoms anywhere.
Hi, please help. I have problems with both of my big toe nails. About 15 years ago I dropped a heavy money counting machine on them and at the time my toe nails badly bruised and bled. Since then they have always grown back a bit wrinckly and look like they have lifted from the toe nail bed. I always have worn nail polish to hide them. I have had samples taken and they are not fungal infected. 5 months ago i went to see a chiropodist and he said that basically the nail was dead he cut them right back to about half the size. he suggested that i had gel nails put on to hide them, i did this and then i had the gel nails removed 3 months later and he then told me that this had made my situation worse and the toe nail hadn't grown at all and in fact had made them fester a little,now he suggest that i have the nails removed because he doesnt think that they will ever grow. I have an appointment to see a podiatrist in a few weeks. I hate the sight of my toes and am scared that if i have to have them removed they wont grow back. Can you give me any advice please?
My Mum had her big toenails and nail beds removed about 25 years ago. I am now her carer and have noticed that on the left toe a number of little lumps have appeared. They are tender on touching and on close inspection look like little bit of horny toe nail type tissue. Could you please advise what this might be and how best to deal with it. We have been to see her GP in the past and he didnt seem to have much idea what it could be. Thankyou for your help.
hi i have pain in my heel ...can't walk long distance went to see my GP ..he said i 've tender heel ...he given me injection in my heel it's about six month ago what i am still suffering.please help me
I had the same problem, but I have been referred to the physiotherapist. She is massaging my calf and foot (especially the inside) as the problem is that the muscles are too tight. You will also have to stretch the calf for 30 sec twice a day. So leaning against a wall with your affected foot stretched out behind you and leaning forward then hold for 30 secs and then bringin your affected foot a bit in and then sink a bit lower, also keep for 30 secs. Look it up on the internet... Also rolling your foot over something on the floor up and down. Normally they say to use something like a tennisball, but that keeps "running away", so I am using a wok handle. Do this twice a day whilst cooking ha ha. It seems to help. Oh and go and buy an insole for your shoe with is lifting the arch. Look at Boots they sell them especially for this problem.
I have corns on both of my feet on my baby toe its embarrasing and im only a teenager i never wear flip flops or anything showing my feet i never go swimming because it's too shameful what does a podiatrist do to them and how do i contact one?
A podiatrist cuts your corns off with a scalpel. It sounds bad but it's fine really. Only the dead skin is cut away so it doesn't hurt. You can find a podiatrist in Yellow Pages and contact them directly, or you could talk to your doctor first.
hi i have had a thrombosed corn on the ball of my foot for many years i hve been waiting for 3 years for electro surgery and feel i cant wait much longer. there is no specialist available were i live. what can i do
have very painful heel in the mornings after having been in bed all night , painful to put foot down for at least a couple of hours
Plantar fascilities - it's can be very painful and difficult to treat, I'v e been suffering 10 months, anti inflammatory, excercise and visits to the physiotherapist haven't really helped! Fine taping my foot gives some relief (get the demo on youtube)
the heel of my feet have been really sore for about 8month now. weres iv been in pain.. wot sud i do for this can my doc help me for this?
Hi, I have read most of the extracts regarding fungal nailsand other nail conditions. I have had the condition on all nails for about 10 years. I have been told there is no real cure at all & reading some of the articles this seems to be correct. I am considering havin all nails removed. What is the best advice - will the nails grow back? Can false ones be applied which would at least look correct cosmetically? Any advises appreciated. Thank you
Hi there, Fungal nails CAN be treated with Terbinafine tablets. Best given under medical supervision from your GP. This is no quick fix however and you may have to take the tablets consistently for as long as 12 months but they do work! It works for finger nails and toe nails. Please have a go before you even think about anything as drastic as nail removal. Important to keep feet and toes clean and dry thoroughly after washing and get rid of any sweaty shoes or trainers that don't allow your skin to breathe. Hope this helps. All the best.
Could you tell me when your next in liverpool please. The date and time.. Thankyou.
hi I have very painful big toes that stops me from wearing a shoe with a heal on i know i have broad feet and i am 65 but i would love to wear shoe with a little heel on i walk a lot but on flat shoes becoase i cant put presher on my big toes could you give some advise please
i keep getting mouth ulcers what is it to do with and how can i stop them
