15 Most Common Foot Problems

Any problem with the feet seems more or less quite extreme, since even the slightest movement of the foot can cause pain. When foot movement is restricted, it seems to hamper everything, therefore it is best to be aware of the problems that your feet can face and also the reason for these problems so that they can be avoided at best.

To prove a guide for you, a small compilation of 15 most common foot problems has been given below:

One of the common problems of the feet is Athlete’s foot. This foot problem is characterized by itching, stinging and burning in feet and toes. The usual cause of Athlete’s Foot is wet or moisture laden environments like the locker rooms, swimming pools and public showers. Athlete’s Foot is contagious and can infect anyone when they come in contact with it. A doctor must be consulted to get the right prescription of drugs for this common foot problem.

Pockets of fluid that seem raised on the foot are called blisters. Known to cause a lot of pain, blisters on the foot can develop due to standing or walking for long periods of time. Sweaty feet or ill-fitting shoes can also cause foot blisters. When it comes to curing this common foot problem, blisters should be allowed to drain only when ready.

For comfort you can apply bandage over the affected area of the foot. Application of antibiotic ointment should also be made once the blisters start to heal.

A slight bump on the side of the big toe of the foot is called a bunion. Painful to walk, this foot problem leads to the bending of the big toe towards the other toes. Bunion usually occurs when the foot is worn into ill-fitting shoes. Bunions can be aggravated by long standing durations also. This common foot condition causes irritation in the big toe and the toe adjacent to it.

Another one of the common problems of the foot is the development of a corn on the sole of the foot. These corns are round, thickened skin on the toes or on the soles. They are known to cause problems, but not immediately after their development. Again, this foot problem develops due to ill-fitting shoes or hammer toes or even bunions. Corn plasters are the usual treatment for such foot problems or in severe cases doctors may recommend a surgery for excising the corn from the feet.

This foot problem tends to lead to pain in the heel and the lower half of the midfoot. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when there is excessive strain put on ligaments of plantar fascia. The usual cause of this type of foot problem is utilization of footwear which have a soft sole, long hours of standing, frequent running, weight gain or other foot conditions.

This foot problem occurs as a result of accumulation of calcium between the heel and arch. Heel spur may result in pain, inflammation or a bony protrusion at the front of the heel. This foot condition is a little difficult to diagnose, but the usual symptom is of pain in the heel of the foot.

This foot problem is also famous by the name “claw foot” and occurs either suddenly or is visible since birth. In this foot condition, the first toe joint points up and the second toe joint points down. Though claw toe does not cause any discomfort or pain, but it can be taken as a sign of a bigger problem like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

Also called as mallet toe, this foot condition makes the toe curved downwards rather than outwards. This foot problem, again, can be a condition arising out of the ill-fitting footwear or may be due to the genetics too. The mallet toe causes pain when stretched or even while walking at times and causes hindrance where it does not let you wiggle your toe.

Another common foot problem that more commonly affects the big toe is gout. This foot condition occurs due to the accumulation of uric acid in the body and can seem very painful and even give burning sensation. Gout is most common in men and women ranging in the age of 40 to 50. Gout can get chronic over time and even damage the joints in severe cases.

At times, the toenails grow into the skin surrounding the toe and results in condition called as ingrown toe nails. This common foot problem occurs either when the nails turn curved or when the nails are poorly trimmed or in case of compressed toes resulting in the growth of the nail into the skin. Ingrown toe nails can be attributed to the genes also. These ingrown toenails cause discomfort in the tender skin surrounding the nail and in severe cases may even get infected and require surgery.

If the foot has acquired some kind of fungal infection, it will cause it to have scales or flakes or even streaking and crumbling of the affected nails. Again this infection enters the toes mostly due to the moist environments. This foot problem displays the symptoms very slowly, but can get very bad and requires medical attention.

This foot condition is basically the development of wart on the sole of the foot and can be very painful, especially when walking. Most of the times, this foot problem cures itself on its own or you can use some form of home remedies to treat them faster with products containing salicylic acid.

This foot problem is caused by ill-fitting shoes or from doing high impact exercises. A stone bruise also goes by the name of metatarsalgia. This foot condition mainly affects the ball of the foot. Symptoms of metatarsalgia or stone foot get worse with time, but they start off with being numb or just a tingly feeling in the area between the arch and the toes. Resting helps this foot condition, but in worse cases, pain killers may also be needed.

This foot problem is characterized by the lack of an arch in the foot and is called a flat foot. Usually a genetic condition, flat foot requires treatment only in case of long exercise periods. The treatment for this foot problem varies and it is best to go with the solution given by the doctor.

This problem with the foot is characterized by thickening of the tissue around a nerve in the ball of the foot and occurs mostly in middle aged women. Caused by high heels, or tight toe shoes, this foot problem is hard to detect because it does not cause any pain in many cases.

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Also Read:

• Foot Pain & Its Anatomical Distribution, Causes of Foot Pain
• Foot Joint Dislocation: Types, Symptoms, Signs & Its Diagnosis
• Pain in the Ball of Foot or Metatarsalgia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Foot Dislocation Treatment: ER, Elective, Surgical Treatment- Closed Reduction & Open Reduction, Post Surgical Treatment
• Arthritis Foot Pain: 5 Best Ways to Ease Its Symptoms
• Foot Cramps or Toe Cramps: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Ways To Get Rid of Cramps
• Forefoot Varus: Causes, Complications, Corrections
• Top of the Foot Pain: Statistics, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Exercises