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Is it a verruca? The signs to look for and how to treat them

Mon, 27 May 2024 12:41:28 GMT

Verrucae are a common issue that our patients come to us for help with. Here we share what they are, how to spot them and some simple treatments you can try at home before you call in the professionals.

What are they?

Verrucae are a viral wart, part of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) family. There are lots of types of the HPV virus and a small number of these will affect the feet and hands. The virus is spread with contact with infected skin cells and can take a few months after you came into contact with it to appear in your skin. They are usually referred to as verrucae or a verruca on the feet and as a wart on the rest of the body.

What are the signs?

The virus causes new skin cells to grow which are infected with the virus. On many parts of the body they will blossom out of the skin, often looking like a cauliflower in shape. This is often how they will look on the toes. In the areas of the feet with thicker skin, like the soles of your feet, they will tend to be flatter and look like a distortion in the skin. More like a knot in a piece of wood with the lines of your skin bending around it, or still with the cauliflower like pattern but one that has been flattened. They are usually the same colour as your skin but in darker skin tones, can be slightly darker than your natural skin tone. If they are in an area that takes a lot of pressure, like the sole of your foot, your body may build up dead skin over the top of the verrucae. This is known as callus. In lighter skin tones it will appear yellow in colour. The darker your skin tone, the darker the callus can appear.

Many people look for 'black dots' as a sign of a verrucae but not all will have these. When the infected skin cells grow they push up through the skin in a similar way to a volcano. They will disrupt the structure of the skin and sometimes this brings small blood vessels with them. These are the 'black dots' that are often described and not all verrucae will have them.

Verrucae often do not hurt however if they are in an awkward location, or have a lot of dead skin build up on them, they can be quite painful.

Is it possible to have more than one?

Yes, we will often see multiple verrucae on the one foot. They can come in any size too. A large verrucae may be one or it could be a dozen small ones all next to each other. We see lots of different types. Sometimes the dead skin over the top will make them look larger than they actually are.

Are they contagious?

Yes. They are spread by contact with the infected skin and the shed skin cells from them. This is why so many people have them. The best way to avoid getting a foot infection such as a verrucae is to avoid walking barefoot in public places. Changing rooms, shared showers, swimming pools, gyms and hotels are all common places to pick up foot infections. Trying on shoes barefoot in shops is another easy way to spread infection. Use pool shoes or swim shoes in the shower and changing rooms at the gym or swimming. Make sure to take socks or 'pop socks' with you to try on shoes and if you are staying at a hotel, wear socks or slippers when you are in your hotel room.

If you have a verrucae then you can do the following to stop it spreading to others:

Keep your feet covered in public places. Use pool shoes, swim shoes or verrucae socks at the swimming pool.
Barefoot sports? Gymnastics, martial arts, yoga and pilates are just some of the activities that are usually carried out barefoot. Cover your verrucae with medical tape or look at appropriate grip socks to wear for your activity. Your instructor can recommend which ones are safe to use.
Don't share towels with others in your household.
Avoid walking barefoot at home if you live with other people.
Don't pick the verrucae and wash your hands after touching it. It can spread to other areas of your body through picking and scratching your skin.

So how do I get rid of them?

Verrucae do not have a cure. Your body's immune system will often take care of the infection within 6-12 months of them appearing. Children in particular will often see theirs resolve with a bit of time and patience and without the need for treatment.

Many treatments available from the pharmacy are able to be used safely at home to try treating them first. However if you are pregnant they are best not to be treated at this time. If they grow rapidly, or are causing you pain, or if you have a health condition that affects your immune system (such as cancer, auto-immune conditions or take medicine to suppress your immune system), your blood supply or nerves in your feet (such as diabetes or circulation and heart problems) then you are best to see a podiatrist to have them assessed before trying any treatments.

What can I try at home?

With any home treatment, verrucae are highly unlikely to disappear after a few uses. Often it will take months of following the instructions, despite the advertising stating 'from one treatment'. The treatments work by damaging the skin to alert your immune system to the area. You should never try to cut your verrucae out, or take any sharp instruments to it. Not only is it dangerous, but you could actually spread the verrucae as well as injure yourself.

First, take a photo of your verrucae if you can with a ruler beside it. You might need to ask for some help. Hold a camera phone about 5 inches from the foot and use the zoom until the verrucae fills the screen as much as possible, ideally with the ruler beside it so you can see the markings. Make sure the camera focuses on the verrucae to make it clear, you may need to tap the screen to do this. This will help you remember the size and shape of how it looked before you began your treatment so you can tell if they are working.

Over-the-counter treatments from the pharmacy which contain salicylic acid (such as Bazuka) can be effective. These are often applied daily and dry quickly. Be careful using these if you are travelling to warmer climates than you are used to as the acid can work in a different way and cause a burn. If your skin becomes painful or irritated then stop the treatment.

Covering the verrucae up so that it can't get wet is another option, especially in children. Using waterproof medical tape or quick drying clear nail varnish both work well to seal the skin. If you don't have sweaty skin then blister plasters can be used instead, even though they are not sold for use on verrucae. This is known as 'occlusion therapy' and works by sealing the skin's own moisture into the verrucae which in turn damages the skin.

Over-the-counter freeze treatments are also commonly available but can make little impact on verrucae on the soles of the feet. The versions available to the public are not very strong and work better on areas with thinner skin such as the tops of the toes.

None of these worked! What can a podiatrist do?

As the medical experts in feet, podiatrists have access to a range of stronger treatments. We use a range of different treatments at Stirling Podiatry and our podiatrists can advise on which of the treatments you are suitable for based on your medical history and verrucae type.

These include stronger acids than the ones available in the pharmacy, including Verrutop, freeze therapy (cryotherapy), needling and Swift microwave therapy.

New Year, New Restrictions

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 16:25:43 GMT

As we enter 2021 and a new phase of restrictions in Scotland, we continue to operate for essential medical care

Podiatry is an essential medical service and we are thankful that the Scottish Government has allowed all the essential healthcare services to continue treating patients during this latest lockdown. Private healthcare services continue to play a vital role in supporting the NHS and helping to prevent more serious interventions being required.

At this time we are advising our patients that we are open for care and your appointments can go ahead as normal however we feel it is best to go with a "be sensible" approach. If you do not need to be seen at this time then please postpone your appointment. Covid-19 is in high circulation in the general population just now and the new variant is far more contagious. We follow strict infection control procedures, wear medical PPE and are doing everything we can to keep you and us safe in the clinic. For many of our patients postponing treatments would be harmful to their feet and general health. We are always happy to discuss your needs and help you decide if treatment just now is the right thing for you.

At this time we continue to ask you to please do not arrive early for your appointment, use of our waiting room greatly increases the risk to you and our other patients as it makes social distancing much harder. Please also continue to follow the rules around masks. We will always respect a medical exemption otherwise please attend wearing a well fitting mask which covers your mouth and nose. You may be provided with an alternative mask by our team if yours is not fit for purpose. Please do not be offended if this is raised with you, it is for everyone's safety.

If our capacity in clinic needs to be restricted, or if the virus levels in the area rise, then we may need to restrict appointments to those with the greatest medical need. In the vent of this happening then we will contact you directly to discuss your appointment.

Some of our more commonly asked questions we have been receiving from patients are:

I don't live within the Stirling Council boundary, can I still come to my appointment?

The Scottish Government rules state that travel to a medical appointment is classed as essential travel so yes. We have temporarily introduced email appointment reminders to accompany your text and phone reminders which will give you an additional proof of your appointment. If we have an email address on file for you then these will be automatically issued the morning before your appointment but may end up in your Spam folder.

I've been advised to resume shielding, does this mean I need to cancel my appointment?

Medical care is one of the few reasons that you can leave your home when shielding however even with all safety measures you are at a higher risk from Covid-19. The decision as to if you should attend your appointment will be unique for your circumstance, Your podiatrist will be happy to discuss your situation with you if wished.

I'm just out of hospital, can I still attend my appointment?
Current guidance is that you should wait 7 days after discharge from an inpatient stay in hospital prior to attending appointments.

Covid FAQs

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:19:05 GMT

Our latest update on how we are keeping you safe at the clinic

UPDATE: Following the announcement that Stirling will be placed in Level 4 restrictions we can confirm that all treatments will go ahead. Podiatry is an essential medical service and thanks to the measures we have in place, we can continue all treatments. If you would prefer to reschedule then please get in touch to rearrange your appointment.

We have now been on "General Care" for 3 months which means we are able to treat all kinds of conditions safely in the clinic.

We have taken extra precautions to make sure that you feel safe and secure during your visit to the clinic including staggering all the appointments to avoid patient cross over, use of medical grade PPE, portable screens, pre-appointment covid screening and a handwashing station at the door. This is on top of all of our usual hygiene measures that you would expect to find in a healthcare clinic.

We have compiled some of our more frequently asked questions below but please do ask if you have any questions at all and we are all happy to help.

I've not got anything too complicated so is it ok to come in?

Yes! we are here for all kinds of foot issues. We have changed how we are booking to make sure that we can see people quickly so there is no need to worry that someone else's feet may need seen more than yours.

We aren't supposed to be meeting people from other households indoors so does this mean I can't come to see you?

Podiatry is a medical treatment and the current restrictions are around socialising so these do not affect your healthcare appointments. Delaying treatment can result in more problems developing.

I usually see the NHS but can't at the moment, is it ok if I come to see you once?

Of course you can. Our NHS colleagues were mainly redeployed as District Nurses while they were on a "Critical Care" setting and as such were not able to see everyone that they would normally be able to. We can treat you for as long as you need without issue. Many of our patients see both us and the NHS as needed.

Can I have someone in my appointment with me?

In certain cases, yes you can. If someone is from your household or bubble, if they are your carer or if you are under 16 and require a parent then you can have someone with you. It's always helpful for us to know that you will be bringing someone else with you too so please let us know in advance if you can. If you are a child or have a Welfare Guardian then we already know that you will be coming with someone.

Is it ok to use your waiting room?

Not at the moment, no. We have carefully scheduled our appointments to make sure that our patients are not crossing over in the reception area or corridors. We wouldn't deny you a seat if you are unable to stand for example but we have to be cautious so please make sure that you arrive at your appointment time and not early. Thank you for your understanding and we appreciate your patience.

How effective are your cleaning products against Coronaviruses?

Very! Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that have been around for some time so all of our products are fully tested. Our disinfectants will kill coronavirus within 60 seconds. Our instruments are all sterilised thoroughly between treatments too in our autoclave (as is the normal standard in medical treatments).

Can I pay by cash?

Of course you can. The national advice is to pay by card wherever possible and the contactless limit has been raised to £45 but we will still accept cash.

What kind of PPE are your staff wearing?

We are following the advice from Health Protection Scotland for healthcare workers and as such our podiatrists are wearing medical grade masks and eye protection as well as the usual apron and gloves. We have also utilised portable screens during your foot treatment. Our receptionists have a fixed perspex shield on the desk so they do not currently have to wear a mask but would if they left the desk area. Please make sure you observe social distancing where you can and use the markers on the floor in reception too.

I've been shielding as I'm high risk, is it ok for me to see you?

Yes you can. Those in the Shielded category were able to have medical treatment throughout lockdown too as per the Chief Medical Officer's advice. We treat all of our patients as if they were shielded and follow strict infection control protocols including extra hygiene measures in our reception and bathroom areas.

I have a medical condition which means I may need to use your toilet. Is this still ok?

Of course you can. Our bathroom is disinfected after every use and there are cleaning supplies on hand for you to use for your comfort too.

And then there were 5

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:38:47 GMT

Welcome Zoë!

The practice just keeps on growing and we are delighted to welcome Zoë Young to the team.

" Hello, I’m Zoë and I’ve been a podiatrist for over 17 years. I’ve spent most of my career in the NHS, based in Tayside but was raised in Bridge of Allan and returned to the area 10 years ago. In the NHS I had link specialist roles in diabetes foot care, wound management and the high risk foot. I love helping patients to stay healthy and mobile. It’s so satisfying helping patients heal after a breakdown, seeing improvements and providing some comfort to them again. Knowing that I’ve imprinted on people’s lives is one of the things I love about podiatry. I’ve recently left the NHS to work solely in private practice between here at Stirling Podiatry and in my existing home visiting service which I set up 9 years ago. Some of you may already know me from my business or from being a local lass. I might be new to the clinic but I was at university with Emma and used to work with Katie so I’m excited about being in the Stirling Podiatry family.

Outside of work I’m always on the go as I’m the mum of 2 young boys and my husband is in the Forces so life is never dull! When I’m not building Lego creations or out on a scoot with the kids I love to relax with a good G&T and a movie night or to catch up with my friends. I’m rather partial to a weekend away at St Andrews too, you just can’t beat an ice cream and a stroll down the beach! "

The eagle eyed among you may have spotted that Zoë was supposed to have joined us in April, but 2020 has been a tad eventful and we are delighted that she will be starting to treat patients this week. We are sure that you will all join us in welcoming her to the clinic.

Hello General Care!

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:29:04 GMT

We're here for you all! It's nice to see you again.....

After 13 weeks of only being able to treat patients who were classed as having an urgent care need we are delighted to have been able to return to a "general care" setting. This means that we can now treat any patient regardless of how painful or high risk their foot condition is. We do still have a backlog of over 250 appointments which we had to cancel during the past few months and we are contacting them in order of their cancelled appointments. If you were cancelled and are in need before we get to you then do get in touch and we can get you booked in.

It's not back to normal though and we have had to make changes for everyone's safety and to allow us to be as responsive as possible. Non-essential treatments are still not advised and not all of our treatments have returned just yet.

Here are some of the things changes we have made for general care:

Our reception team have now started back and will be able to book your appointment up to a week ahead. This is to allow us maximum flexibility in case we should need to change how we operate in response to the spread of the virus. We have a list of those who are looking for appointments further in advance so just ask one of the team and they can add you to it.

Not all of our podiatrists have returned just yet. Emma is in the Shielded category and will return as soon as she is given the go ahead by her medical team. Our newest podiatrist Zoe is eager to meet you all and will join us as soon as childcare options become available. In the meantime our ace squad of "Covid Care" heroes Katie, Danielle and Natalie will be able to care for all your needs.

For those of you who are not ready to come out just yet but who still need advice, then we have introduced virtual advice appointments and virtual musculoskeletal assessments. Using our secure video links we can speak to you in the comfort of your home. We have carried out these appointments throughout lockdown and they have worked so well that we decided to keep them.

As always if you have any questions then please just ask and we are happy to help.

Little Feet in Lockdown

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 21:40:38 GMT

Whilst the grown ups may be growing wider, the kids keep growing taller!

But what do you do when you can't leave the house to get your kids feet measured? Fear not! Your local independent shoe shops are here to help!

As I explained to BBC Radio Scotland's Kaye Adams earlier today, children's feet are still growing and a well fitted shoe can help prevent issues in later life such as deformed toes. In the short term we see children regularly in the clinic with damaged toenail, blisters, ingrown toenails and even corns which are all caused by poorly fitting shoes. Podiatrists will always recommend that if you can, you should have your child's feet measured and fitted by a trained shoe fitter. Children will often need their feet checked every 6-8 weeks from the time that they can happy start toddling about solo. Their feet are as individual as they are too and will need supported as they grow. Shoefitters can be found in stores such as Clarks but during lockdown it has been the independent shops that have been the lifeblood of the community.

We are lucky to have 2 such shops close to us. Ruby Ruby in Dunblane and Clever Clogs @ 19 in Falkirk. Both shops have been offering virtual fittings, doorstep deliveries and mail order to help keep those little feet happy for their daily exercise and beyond.

As my 3 year old decided that lockdown was the perfect time to have a massive growth spurt, I found myself in need of a virtual shoe fit for both slippers and new shoes. As I live in Falkirk I contacted our regular shoe shop Clever Clogs @ 19 who got back to me with the list of measurements and photos to take to help them give the best virtual fit possible.

Several photos were needed of his bare hands and feet, his current shoes style and size and him standing on the removable insole from his pair that were too small. I do love a shoe with a removable insole!

Not every shoe is made to the same size across different brands so its important for the fitters to see what they have been wearing.

Next up was the measurements.

For ease I had him stand on a bit of paper and drew round his feet. I then measured the length of the drawings and used a measuring tape to measure the circumference of his feet while he was standing. A bit of string and a ruler will do too.

Don't worry if the 2 feet are not the same measurements though, that's pretty common.

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After being sent a selection of suitable styles a pair was picked and the very next day there was a knock at the door and we had new shoes!

Another photo of his feet on the insoles and some checks to make sure that they were a good fit all got sent to the team for approval. Did I mention how much I love removable insoles?

And here's the end result. One VERY happy boy! The new shoes were met with grins, jumping up and down and demands for his coat so that he could go on a walk to show them off.

Having a virtual fit is not as good as the shoefitter getting to have a hands on approach but during this strange time of social distancing it's the next best thing!

If you would like to arrange for a virtual fitting for your child you can contact Clever Clogs @ 19 or Ruby Ruby for more details. Find them on Facebook and Instagram to see their fantastic ranges.

Shop From Home!

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 19:35:26 GMT

We have a pop up online shop!

Recently one of our lovely regulars messaged us distraught as her favourite pair of bamboo trainers socks had a hole in them and she was in need of a replacement pair. She had bought them while pregnant with her first child and he just celebrated his 5th birthday so fair play to them!

During lockdown we were able to post out products as needed but as restrictions are continuing we have made things a bit easier for you all by setting up a pop up online shop thanks to our friends over at Shopify. It stocks all your favourite bamboo socks and lock laces as well as the essentials for some at home nail care and our best selling gel toe protection. And better yet everything has FREE DELIVERY! To browse our stock just pop on over to our shop by clicking the button below.

Our creams aren't online but fear not you can still get them sent straight to your door thanks to our partnership with Simply Feet and receive a 10% discount with them using the code XQ9S2801. Visit www.simplyfeet.co.uk to find all your favourite Akileine and Simply Feet creams.

Our pop up shop will be around for a few months while the world returns to normal. If you don't see what you were looking for then just ask.

Coronavirus and the Clinic - Keeping you safe

vw_love_bug1@hotmail.com (Emma McConnachie) — Fri, 22 May 2020 21:15:31 GMT

When the UK went into Lockdown at the end of March we followed goverment guidance and moved to Urgent Care only. Now as we enter a new phase of the pandemic, our professional body has issued new guidance.

.Since Lockdown commenced we have had to cancel over 500 appointments. We triaged all of the patients that we had to cancel in preparation for reopening been based on medical and podiatric need. Now that we have entered a new phase of the management of the pandemic, we are allowed to see a slightly expanded group of patients. Until now we have only been able to treat patients who fall into the red category. As of the week beginning the 25th May we will start to see people who are also in the amber category. We do not know when we will be permitted to treat patients in the green category. Treatments such as a verrucae treatment or a nail cut where there are no underlying conditions would fall into the green category.

This is in line with all other podiatrists and healthcare professions across the UK. We appreciate this may be frustrating for some of our patients but we are required to comply with national guidance.

Your normal podiatrist may not be available at this time as not all our staff have been able to return to the clinic yet, our opening hours will not be the same either. We will contact you to arrange an appointment if you fall into a category that we can treat just now. Our reception staff will not be returning for a little while yet so please be patient if you call us as the phones have been diverted to Emma’s home. Do not come to the clinic unless you have an appointment. We will be contacting patients in small batches to allow us to be flexible around staffing arrangements and possible changes to the government guidance. We appreciate that it may have been some time since you last had your feet treated and we thank you for your patience while we try to contact as many patients as we can. If you develop an urgent issue before we contact you then please do call us to be assessed.

Our clinic will be a little different for a while for everyone’s safety. We will not have our normal appointment types just now and during this time a podiatry appointment will be £36. For many of you this will be the same cost as normal and for others it will be a bit more. This is due to the extra time required to carry out appropriate decontamination in between each patient and the global shortage of medical supplies causing increased costs.

If you attend for an appointment please note the following:

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If you are shielding then you can still leave the house for medical care. We are unable to provide a home visiting service. We know that many members of your household may all be registered patients but only those who fall into the appropriate treatment categories can be treated just now. Please do not be offended if we have to refuse to treat another member of your household at the same time as you. If you fall into one of the categories we can treat but do not wish an appointment when we contact you then that is not a problem. Just let us know when you are ready and we will arrange an appointment.

Our website and social media pages always have the most up to date information about what is happening in the clinic and restrictions may ease or tighten over the next few months. We will be led by guidance from our professional body, the College of Podiatry, and our regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council.

We hope that we will be able to see you all as soon as it is safe to do so and we are on hand to provide telephone advice and video consultations if a clinic appointment isn’t possible at the moment.

Thank you for your understanding and take care,

Emma, Katie, Danielle, Natalie & Zoë

Tales from Lockdown

Thu, 21 May 2020 21:16:59 GMT

Since going into Lockdown the team has been restricted to urgent care and video consults. Here we give you an insight into what we have been doing (other than missing working with each other!)

From getting the kids to count the blades of grass to taking the dogs for a walk, here are our highs and lows.

Emma

What have you been up to?

I’ve been busy working from home whilst looking after my 3 year old. All the clinic phones have been transferred to my house which was a great idea until someone called at the back of 6 in the morning! I have still been dealing with the day to day running of the business too which is busier than you might think during lockdown.

Lockdown highs?
I have finally been able to get my garden into a state that my son can play in it. The lovely man who was doing it had to down tools so I laid a lawn on day 2 of lockdown as the supplies were still able to be delivered. It has been great spending so much time with my son and playing a dinosaurs in the sandpit. He must have been learning some reception skills too since he has tried to answer the phone a few times so my apologies if you were one of the ones he answered! I have been trying out new recipes too, big thank you to the Wagamama online cooking lessons, and trying to get my spare room reorganised. Honestly though I now take it as a win if we both make it through the day and got dressed!

Lockdown lows?
I’m in the shielded category as I take medication that removes my immune system so this means that my lockdown is stricter than most. Mentally it has been quite hard with no reprieve from work or conversations with a 3 year old. There are only so many times that I can watch Wreck It Ralph before I go cuckoo. My husband is also in healthcare so is still carrying out urgent care clinic to assist his patients through the pandemic. We also had a holiday cancelled so we have missed out on a visit to the grandparents who live down south.

First place you are going when lockdown lifted?
I will probably be cocooned in the house for a bit longer than the average person but I think it would be my parent’s house so that they can get a cuddle from their grandson. He is missing them terribly just now.

Most looking forward to?
Having someone do my ironing again! I know that sounds terrible but I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and ironing is one of the things I find most difficult. Since having someone do it for me it has been a wonderful help. I have been having to learn how to iron all over again and I am truly terrible at it. I’m really looking forward to going back to Home Bargains for a wee nosy round the aisles too!

Danielle

What have you been up to?
Since the lockdown I’ve swapped toenails for times tables and have become a full time teacher! Homeschooling has been rewarding and exhausting in equal measure but I’ve really loved the chance to do it.

Workwise I have been doing some online CPD/refresher courses and trying to stay away from all university websites so I don’t sign up for any more postgraduate study!
I’ve also been running most mornings for some time to myself and to burn off all the isolation food and home baking.

Lockdown highs?
I’ve loved not having to commute and the extra time at home. This has allowed me the time to cook more, read more and do lots of YouTube yoga! A high for me has been the response to Covid19 from so many local businesses. From socially distanced shoe fitting for kids, gyms uploading online workouts to restaurants selling DIY meal kits I’ve been really impressed at the creativity!

Lockdown lows?
Like everyone else I’m missing my family but we have been using Zoom to catch up and hold a weekly family quiz. I’m also missing work and a sense of routine. I think in our job where you see a range of people daily it is hard when that suddenly stops and I’m looking forward to getting back (although I will miss the midweek cheese and wine). My ultimate lockdown low however has been cutting myself a fringe, luckily this was a few weeks ago so hopefully it should grow out by time I’m back to work!

First place you are going when lockdown is lifted?
The airport! I’ve already had two holidays cancelled due to Covid so I’ll need to make up for it when the travel restrictions are lifted!

Most looking forward to?
Seeing family and friends, swimming and I’m ashamed to admit it but a sausage and egg McMuffin from McDonalds!

Katie

What have you been up to?
The first few weeks of lockdown were really busy for me as I was doing an online biomechanics bootcamp and other cpd work.

As many of you know I love football and I’ve been coaching via Zoom which has been brilliant for both the team and I. I’ve been cycling most days around Edinburgh which is a novelty as the roads have been quieter than usual.

Lockdown highs?
I’m loving all the extra time I have to exercise and have been trying to mix it up as much as possible through zoom workouts, cycles and YouTube HIIT sessions. It’s also been nice to have no commute – I’m definitely not missing the Edinburgh traffic!

Lockdown lows?
I’m really missing my family so I’m grateful for Facetime and group chats but it’s not quite the same as sitting around a table face to face. I’m also missing playing football and watching football, I’ve been playing Fifa but it doesn’t compare to the real deal! Despite not missing the commute I am missing seeing my patients and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again on the flip side of this.

First place you are going when lockdown lifted?
Spartans Academy to watch a game of football (via the hairdressers)!

Most looking forward to?
Seeing friends and family especially my nieces and nephews! Getting back to work and seeing everyone again. The start of lockdown arrived not long after my new biomechanics equipment so I’m looking forward to getting use out of it!

Natalie

What have you been up to?
Just like everybody else, lockdown has been a very interesting time. Who knew it would take a global pandemic to force me to finally paint the living room!!
Having only been a year qualified, it has definitely been a rollercoaster year as a graduate podiatrist and with lockdown in place I’ve missed working in our clinic and working with my colleagues; I was only just getting started.

Lockdown highs?
My biggest lockdown project has been my flat. I moved in five years ago with old furniture my family gave me and never really had the chance to spend time making it my own places. With fresh coats of paint and some refurbished pieces it’s definitely starting to feel personal to myself and my partner. Who knew I was so handy with a screwdriver and a spirit level?
Having a fun project you can dip in and out of has kept us sane throughout lockdown and is a great distraction. Whether it’s gardening, exercising or working your way through multiple books; find what works best for you and have fun!

Lockdown lows?
Like everyone else, my low point of lockdown has been family. We all know we have to protect those we love and to do so we unfortunately can’t see them right now. I’m lucky to live near my parents and siblings, who all live together, and have done the talking at the window escapade once a week to check in with everyone. Unfortunately my boyfriend hasn’t been so lucky and hasn’t seen his family in eight weeks, so for us that’s the first place we’ll be visiting after lockdown!! Can’t keep a mummy’s boy away from his mum too long.

Most looking forward to?
After lockdown, I’m most looking forward to getting back out with the gang. Online quizzes are great but having a group night out will be long overdue. Spending time with friends and family is one hundred percent the top of my list. Although I may add a trip to the shops and a treat from my local cupcake store to the list also.

Julie

Lockdown highs?
My lockdown high is enjoying my walks with my dog Ruben, there's no rush to get home etc and we can take in the sights and sounds of our local woods or the blooms on the golf course.

Lockdown lows?
Lockdown low is definitely not being able to see my mum. She's 87 and lives on her own 2.5hrs away, but we chat on the phone. I miss my friends' company, it's not the same online chatting.

First place you are going when lockdown lifted?
First place I'm going if allowed is up to visit my mum.

Most looking forward to?
Most looking forward to is freedom of choice when and where I can go. A lovely meal cooked by someone else and of course....going back to work, seeing my colleagues and welcoming patients and to feel a sense of normality and peace.

Aimee

What have you been up to?
During lockdown, I’ve still been doing my college work to gain my HND, which is all be done virtually.

When I’m not doing college work, I’m reading a lot more, some of the books I’ve read are; To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky. I’m currently reading, The Chain by Adrian McKinty.

Other things that I’ve been doing is gardening, which I enjoy. Also been watching Netflix, Netflix series I’m currently watching, is Dead to Me, which I would highly recommend.

Also, my cadet squadron is still running virtually, so that takes up two nights of my week which I enjoy as it allows me to socialise with the cadets. We still continue on with their classifications to continue and progress their cadet careers. But we also have fun nights like quizzes and watching some videos.

Lockdown Highs?
A lockdown high for me is being able to spend more time doing stuff that I enjoy such as reading and gardening. Been doing a lot of gardening projects such as, pressure washing my back garden and cutting our conifers.

Another lockdown high for me is that, I am cooking a lot healthier food (no McDonald’s) so some of the food I’ve been having is Diet Cola Chicken and Salmon with salad.

Lockdown Lows?
A lockdown low for me is not being able to visit my friends as much as I use to. I still talk to them via social media and virtual calling but it’s not the same as a face-to-face conversation.

Another lockdown low for me is not being able to spend a lot of time with my family as they are both in the NHS.

First place you are going when lockdown is lifted?
McDonald’s!!!

Most looking forward to?
There are a few things that I’m looking forward to coming back from both a sporting and social perspective. I’m looking forward to the Formula 1 season coming back and I’m also looking forward to cinemas reopening.

Zoe

What have you been up to?
Looking after my two boys and taking each day as it comes! I’ve probably been eating far too much rubbish too but haven’t we all?

Lockdown highs?
Having time to learn to bake with my children. We’ve been having great fun trying new recipes. My youngest’s birthday has been in lockdown too so we came up with inventive ways to give him a special day and had a great time.

Lockdown lows?
My main source of company is 2 young children so I would love to discuss something that isn’t based around Lego or Paw Patrol! I miss being able to go out and see family and friends too.

First place you are going when lockdown is lifted?
The park!

Most looking forward to?
The children being able to visit their grandparents again as they miss them terribly. And getting back to work! I’m really missing helping patients.