With advancing age, the natural padding of the foot suffers a natural wear. This wear is conducive to callus and callus formation, often associated with severe pain. Thus, EPITACT® has developed an innovative material: EPITHELIUM 26®, a patented silicone gel, which is characterized as “a true substitute for the healthy plantar layer”. Using EPITHELIUM 26® in EPITACT® products leads to excellent results!

The skin consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. In the foot support points, the latter tissue has the particularity of being much thicker than the rest of the body: 1 cm with respect to the heads of the metatarsals. The subcutaneous tissue, which is also called "hindpaw" consists of several lobules of fat. These lobes are contained in connective tissue boxes that resemble a honeycomb. Under the action of pressure, these semi-liquid lobes deform, spreading and allowed to evenly distribute pressure.

A number of associated reasons:

- The age that results in a change of connective tissue;

- Foot extended stays, inherent in some occupations that cause excessive pressure under the forefoot and;

- Intensive practice of sports which exert excessive pressure or repetitive motion (walking, tennis ...).

Under the action of excessive pressure pain, burning sensation and overheating appear under the forefoot, the metatarsal heads. When the pressure zone is highly localized, one callus area is formed under the foot.

To relieve pain in the forefoot and prevent burning and overheating, the EPITHELIUM 26® should be placed between the skin and shoes.

The EPITHELIUM 26®, material developed by podiatrists, has viscoelastic properties similar to those of the human foot plant pad. It acts as a pressure distributor and inhibits hyper pressures responsible for metatarsal pain.

If the pain is recurrent or permanent, it is recommended the use of plantar cushions (closed shoes) or discrete plantar cushions (open shoes) with EPITHELIUM 26®.

With advancing age, the natural padding of the foot suffers a natural wear. This wear is conducive to callus and callus formation, often associated with severe pain. Thus, EPITACT® has developed an innovative material: EPITHELIUM 26®, a patented silicone gel, which is characterized as “a true substitute for the healthy plantar layer”. Using EPITHELIUM 26® in EPITACT® products leads to excellent results!

The skin consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. In the foot support points, the latter tissue has the particularity of being much thicker than the rest of the body: 1 cm with respect to the heads of the metatarsals. The subcutaneous tissue, which is also called "hindpaw" consists of several lobules of fat. These lobes are contained in connective tissue boxes that resemble a honeycomb. Under the action of pressure, these semi-liquid lobes deform, spreading and allowed to evenly distribute pressure.

A number of associated reasons:

- The age that results in a change of connective tissue;

- Foot extended stays, inherent in some occupations that cause excessive pressure under the forefoot and;

- Intensive practice of sports which exert excessive pressure or repetitive motion (walking, tennis ...).

Under the action of excessive pressure pain, burning sensation and overheating appear under the forefoot, the metatarsal heads. When the pressure zone is highly localized, one callus area is formed under the foot.

To relieve pain in the forefoot and prevent burning and overheating, the EPITHELIUM 26® should be placed between the skin and shoes.

The EPITHELIUM 26®, material developed by podiatrists, has viscoelastic properties similar to those of the human foot plant pad. It acts as a pressure distributor and inhibits hyper pressures responsible for metatarsal pain.

If the pain is recurrent or permanent, it is recommended the use of plantar cushions (closed shoes) or discrete plantar cushions (open shoes) with EPITHELIUM 26®.

The painful ingrown toenail is the result of the penetration of the wedge into the edge of the soft tissues of the skin. It can affect all fingers, but usually is located on the first and second fingers. The evolution of an ingrown toenail happens in three successive stages in which the severity and discomfort gradually increase.

In a first step, compression between the lateral edge of the nail (nail edge) and ring causes slight skin inflammation causing pain originate first color pink skin color. The absence of breakage at this stage still protects the toe of an infection. In a second phase, if not treated, inflammation causes a risk of infection.
This usually occurs in the periungual groove 10 days after the start of ingrown toenail. The skin becomes red and swollen and pains become much more relevant, especially to the touch. The third phase occurs about a fortnight after the ingrown nail, causing an infection with pus, causing intense pain and the edge of the nail is no longer accessible. The intervention of an expert is inevitable to treat and care toe.

Several causes can lead to an ingrown nail, which may be associated with each other.

In most cases, the cutting of nails and tight shoes are responsible. Some foot conditions can also promote ingrown toenail, including claw toes or bunion.

The form and nature of the nails (thickeners) are also common causes.

It is necessary to clarify that diabetics are particularly vulnerable to the occurrence of ingrown toenails at the stage 2 and 3 because of nerve or circulatory failure that may exist. Prevention is therefore very important and consultation with a podologist essential to prevent complications and more serious injuries.

To heal, surgery is common and indispensable in many cases. However, prevention often avoids the appearance of a particular injury to people with tendency to recurrence. A daily attention is required. Treating the nails, especially when cutting, reduces the risk of ingrown nails, but also allows for early detection of inflammation.

A blue toenail (hematoma) is caused by an injury to the skin beneath the toenail. It can concern all the toes but affects mainly the first and second one.

The appearance of a blue nail may result from repeated shocks to the nail. Common causes, we note the excessive compression of the toes in the shoe or, conversely, too wide a shoe, not being in a good position. People with a size difference between the left and right foot may also experience this problem. Finally, hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin), generated by significant friction or ultra-high pressure, can cause the formation of callus on the toe leading to formation of a hematoma and blue nail.

Sportsmen, hikers and staff working with non-fitting shoes are the most frequently exposed, as well as the elderly who suffer from foot deformities.
To care for and treat a blue fingernail, referral to a specialist may be necessary. However, a careful attention on the early initiation and use of a finger cot will prevent the development of hematoma and loss of the nail.

Both pathologies are characterized by the deformation of the toes along with significant angulations between 2 digits, as shown on this image.

Hammer toes are often associated to women, younger and younger by the way, whom represent the majority of the affected population; this is why the footwear is very often offended. However, this is not just because of narrow high-heeled shoes that this kind of pathology appears...

The foot deformities hammer toes or claw toes, result from a muscle imbalance and poor distribution of forces in the foot.

Indeed, with high heels weight is transferred from the body of the heel to the forefoot. Subject to excessive force in the metatarsophalangeal joint, flexes the interphalangeal joint - the toes are deformed.

Very often, the foot deformity claw toes causes significant support from the tips of the toes on the ground, especially the four small and high pressure of the shoe on the interphalangeal joints.

In the case of hammer toe, the metatarsophalangeal joint is hyperextended and rises to the upper part of the shoe, while the first interphalangeal joint is flexed to drive the foot end down. These distortions originate joint pain, the appearance of calluses on top of the joints (dorsal calluses) and on the fingertips (pulp calluses).
Calluses or partridge eyes may also appear between the toes.

To avoid the appearance of claw toes or hammer toes it is recommended not to use higher heels than four centimeters.
But if your toes are already showing a significant angle, it is recommended to use hammer toe cushions. If corns appear, then use the Digitube® if the corn is located above the toe (dorsal callus) or Digitops if the corn is at the tip of the toe (pulp callus).

A corn is an area of thickened skin that occurs in zones of pressures and frictions. It is actually a natural way for the body to protect itself. The corn usually appears on the toes.

Depending on where it is located, the corn would be called:

• Dorsal corn: set on the top of the joint

• Soft corn: set on the top of the toe (hammer toes)

• Interdigital corn: located between two toes that tend to join themselves or even to over-lap each other.

To relieve painful corns, we need to reduce pressures and frictions exerted on the skin. That’s where EPITHELIUM 26®, load distributor, comes in.

We have to bring a comfortable relationship between the aggressor (the shoe, a finger neighbor's foot ...) and the skin to reduce aggression. Immediately the keratinization process is disabled, the balance between cell renewal and desquamation found.
Because the life cycle of a keratinocyte, the effect will actually be visible only five weeks after the start of application. The EPITHELIUM 26®, material developed by podologists, acts as a distributor pressure on the foot and has a useful life that can sustainably protect the skin from corns and calluses.
Depending on the area, the EPITACT® range offers several types of protections.

Plantar warts affects 7 to 10% of the population. Their frequency has increased over the past three decades, especially in school-age children and young adults, white skin. They are benign lesions of the skin whose proliferation is induced by a virus named the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
This performance is variable and often favorable: the spontaneous cure rate is 65%.

There are two types of plantar warts:

• the most common is a plantar wart deep, painful on pressure, isolated or in small quantities. An hyperkeratosis ring rounds it, partially covering the core region whose surface is dotted with carnations;
• the plantar mosaic wart corresponds to multiple warts, contiguous and forming a surface plate, but not a painful hyperkeratosis.

The plantar warts transmission is from human to human: the infection is done either by direct contact (skin to skin) and in indirect contact (for example, contaminated soil). Exposure to the virus does not automatically triggers the appearance of warts, because each person reacts according to the strength of your immune system. The incubation period is usually 2 to 3 months, but sometimes the virus activates several years after contact.

There are several factors that may increase the risk of developing plantar warts:

- Skin defects due to skin trauma: a scratch, a small cut facilitates virus entry into the body. People with weakened skin are more exposed to the intrusion of HPV;

- The heat and humidity: the virus is introduced more easily in a wet skin, for example, frequenting certain public places (swimming pool, gym, showers ...) where contamination is through the floor;

- Immune system deficiency: HPV infections are more frequent and aggressive in immunocompromised patients, organ transplants and especially with HIV infected patients (AIDS).

Less, it was observed that the plantar warts are the most common for a fatigue or after periods of heavy stress when the body is more susceptible to infections.

The benign plantar warts and their potential for spontaneous regression elements are considered when choosing treatment. It is important to choose a solution where the benefit / risk / stress / pain to be properly assessed.
Conventional treatments have a success rate of about 70%. It should also be noted that even if the wart is removed, the virus is still present in 30% of cases. This explains the frequent recurrence, even with aggressive methods.

However, the pain justifies the removal of the wart and care. The treatments with salicylic acid or other corrosive substances have the disadvantage of being lengthy (8 weeks) the need to protect healthy areas. As for the more aggressive methods (liquid nitrogen, laser ...) are painful and can cause irreversible tissue damage, sometimes leaving scars.

Safe and painless, EPITACT® treatment of warts distributes pressure on the wart and the horn ring around it, allowing walk without pain. It also promotes their disappearance.