5 Common Foot Conditions & How To Treat Them

People usually don’t pay enough attention to their feet until they start looking unhealthy. We spend a lot of time on our legs and make them carry the load of our bodies. This tends to overwork the joints and soft tissues of even healthy legs. Moreover, they become more exposed to infections with age. All these causes may result in the development of some unpleasant foot conditions. One foot condition we discussed previously here on BiomedJ.org is dry, cracked feet.

Here is a list of five reasons why your feet may look unhealthy.

1. Bunion

A bunion is a big bump near the big toe. It is when the big toe bone becomes misaligned from years of improper pressure. Bunions can occur as a result of genetics, shoes, or the way you walk. They can also be caused by foot injuries, congenital deformities, neuromuscular disorders, or inflammatory joint diseases. Narrow shoes can also result in the development of bunions, making women who are fond of wearing heels more prone to them.

Bunions are usually accompanied by swelling, redness, and pain, or the big toe displacement towards the other toes. There are no home treatments that can help get rid of bunions but you can avoid high-heeled shoes, choose shoes with a wide toe box, and use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain. Visit a podiatrist for anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, physical therapy, or orthotic shoe inserts. If these options don’t help, the doctor may advise you to consider bunion surgery NYC as the only possible way out.

2. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition when the fascia (fibrous connective tissue, that runs along the bottom of the foot) is inflamed. It usually manifests itself through pain in the bottom part of the heel when walking. It can develop if the fascia is stretched or torn due to injury, strain, stress, walking on hard and flat surfaces barefoot, or improper footwear.

Painful sensations are usually the worst after rest and some people with plantar fasciitis find that morning walks are quite difficult. There are some treatment options you can perform at home such as icing the area, exercising, and taking anti-inflammatory medications. But if you don’t feel any relief, it is better to visit your podiatrist. He or she can recommend some special exercises, shoes, and physical therapy that can help relieve pain.

3. Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a condition that is caused by a fungal infection of the skin. It’s named that way due to the fact that athletes usually become infected with it from pools and common showers where they walk barefoot and can catch fungus. This fungus is also fond of humid and warm shoes. Athlete’s foot usually manifests itself through a red itchy rash on the soles and sides of the feet. There is another form of athlete’s foot that affects the skin between toes and it becomes white due to moisture retention. This condition can spread to other body parts by scratching the infection and touching vulnerable areas like underarms and groin.

If you are suffering from athlete’s foot, you can try antifungal creams and lotions. But it would be better to visit a podiatrist to get a prescription for oral or topical antifungal medication. In order to prevent athlete’s foot, it is recommended to wash your feet with water and soap every day, keep them dry, and use shower shoes if you need to visit public showers and locker rooms.

4. Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are actually thickened skin on our feet that appears to protect some vulnerable areas from pressure and irritation. Corns and calluses are similar to each other but they have some differences. Corns are painful small patches of deeply thickened skin in the upper part of the foot. Calluses are large areas of thickened skin that are not as deep as corns that are usually found on the soles or sides of the feet.

Mild corns and calluses usually don’t cause any discomfort. But if they cause you pain and unpleasant sensations, it is better to make an appointment with a podiatrist. The doctor may examine your shoes to make sure that they fit you properly, add pads to your shoes or remove corns or calluses with the help of a surgical blade (this procedure is not painful because corns and calluses are actually made of dead skin).

5. Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenail is one of the most common nail problems. It is a condition when the corners of a nail deeply dig into the surrounding soft tissue. Ingrown toenails can cause redness, irritation, swelling, and pain. This condition more often affects the big toe. Ingrown toenails can develop because of ill-fitted shoes that crowd your toes, daily activities such as running, and heredity.

If you suffer from ingrown toenails (especially if they are infected), don’t try to remove them by yourself. You also shouldn’t perform a pedicure before you visit your podiatrist. Even if your ingrown toenail is not infected, it is better to ask a doctor to remove it so that it grows out straight.