5 Common Foot Disorders (and How To Treat Them)

Information may not be reliable

Walking is an essential element of your daily life. Because of constant use, your feet experience lots of wear and tear. It’s estimated that an average person is likely to have walked 75,000 miles by the age of 60. That’s why you’re likely to experience some foot problems during your life.

Continue reading to learn how to recognize and treat the five most common foot problems.

1. Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the inside of the foot at the joint of a big toe. In this condition, your toe typically bends inward toward the smaller toes. Bunion symptoms include tenderness and swelling around the big toe joint, continuous pain, or painful flare-ups, limited movement. Your big toe can rub against the neighboring toes, leading to corns and calluses. 

A bump on your toe can occur due to overuse, injury, and genetics.

Other risk factors for bunions include wearing high-heeled shoes and chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. If untreated, it can lead to pain and swelling in your heel, deformation in the middle joint of your toe, and inflammation of the bursa sacs. This condition may be treated by wearing comfortable shoes with specifically designed insoles and pads. If your bunion symptoms are severe, you might require surgery.  

2. Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that typically occurs between toes. It appears in the form of a red scaly rash that causes burning, itching, or stinging sensations. This condition can affect both your feet and can even spread to your hands if you scratch or otherwise contact infected areas on the feet. 

The main risks for an athlete’s foot include walking barefoot in public places, wearing ill-fitting shoes, having sweaty feet, and sharing footwear or socks with other people. This condition can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal cream powder or pills. However, if symptoms are continuous and don’t reduce with OTC medications, a doctor may prescribe topical steroid medications and oral antibiotics. 

3. Corns

Corns are rough and thick patches of skin that usually develop on the feet. They occur in response to damage and irritation to your skin. Wearing uncomfortable shoes that pressure your feet, especially without socks may result in corns on your feet. Over time these hardened skin areas may become sore, sensitive to touch, and infected. Mild forms of corns can be removed with a pumice stone. However, if the corns are severely painful, consult a specialist about the corn removal procedure. 

4. Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that can suddenly cause inflammation to the joints of the feet. This condition occurs due to excess uric acid in the body. Some conditions like kidney disease and heart disease can increase your risk of developing gout. Uric acid crystals cause sudden pain attacks on your joints, leading to redness and swelling. Most cases of gout can be treated with NSAIDs. Also, try to limit your alcohol consumption, stay hydrated and maintain a healthy body weight to reduce overall inflammation and prevent gout from recurring.  

5. Ingrown toenail

Toenails that grow into the skin on your toes are called ingrown toenails. The main causes of ingrown toenails include poor trimming technique, curved nails, narrow shoes, or an injury to your toe. Genetics may also increase your risk of having them. If a nail begins to grow into your skin, you can experience swelling, tenderness, and hardness.

Mild cases of ingrown toenails can be treated with topical antibiotics, pain relievers, and warm soaks. If the affected toe gets infected, this can lead to other symptoms including bleeding, redness, and pus. In such a case, it’s best to consult a doctor about removal surgery.