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Common Foot Problems

Corns
A corn is a small conical shaped area of hard dead skin which presses on the underlying nerve endings and can often cause intense pain. They are caused by friction and pressure from shoes and the ground surface. They can be found anywhere on the foot but are more commonly found on the ball of the foot and on the top of the toes. Occasionally they are found between the toes. They are often easily removed or reduced in size giving instant relief from pain.

Plantar Foot Callus with several small corns in the area

Callus
A callus is a larger area of hard dead skin but has no central core. Caused by friction and pressure from shoes and the ground surface. Calluses often produce a painful burning sensation on the sole of the feet. They are often easily reduced in size giving instant relief.

Plantar Foot Callus

Plantar Foot Callus

Hammer Toes

Hammer Toe

Ingrowing toe nails
This can be a very painful condition where the edge of the nail (usually the first toe nail) grows into the skin at the side. See ingrowing toenails for more information.

Infected toenail

Infected ingrowing toenail

Thickened toe nails
Usually caused by trauma, poor circulation or a fungal infection which leads to discoloration and thickening of the nails. This condition can be painful if the thickened nail rubs against the top of the shoe. Thickened nails can often be reduced in thickness painlessly with an electric chiropody drill.

Dry Skin
Painful fissures (cracks) in the skin, especially around the heels, can develop if the skin becomes excessively dry. Dry thickened skin usually needs to be removed and moisturising cream applied to help resolve this condition. Regular application of certain moisturising creams can significantly help improve the quality of the skin.

Athletes foot
A contagious skin condition caused by fungi and spread by sharing towels and/or walking on contaminated floors in showers and swimming pools. Symptoms include an itchy sore rash, splitting of the skin between the toes and small blisters forming on the skin. Correct diagnosis and regular application of an anti-fungal cream will normally control this condition.

Chilblains
Caused by damp cold weather which affects the circulation in the feet and lower limb. Small purplish red itchy swollen areas can develop on the toes and become uncomfortable. Correct advice and regular massage can help reduce chilblains.

Verrucae (warts)
Caused by a virus producing an area of dead skin. Normally found on very small areas on the sole of the feet but can cover much larger areas. They have many disguises (very small blisters, black dots in the centre) and can even look like a corn to the untrained eye. They are usually extremely painful to sideways pressure. They can resolve spontaneously but often need treatment as they are prone to multiply. Frequently caught at swimming pools.

Bacterial infections
Often caused by foreign bodies such as dog hairs entering the skin or by friction from shoes causing skin breakdown. Removal of the foreign body, establishing drainage, cleaning and correct dressing and padding can often very quickly resolve any bacterial infection or wound.

Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis)
The fungus attacks the nail and/or the nail bed. The nail might have white and/or yellow spots, might be be yellow or brown in colour and be weak and crumble easily. The fungal spores in the old infected nail infect the new nail growth meaning that the condition continues to affect the nail and does not grow out with the growth of the nail.

How to treat nail fungus? With difficulty and time.

Fungal nail infection - onychomycosis

Fungal nail infection - onychomycosis

Hallux Valgus (commonly called bunions)
Poor foot function and badly fitting shoes can produce misshapened bones in the 1st toe joint. Wearing orthotics (insoles) in your shoes can help control poor foot function, delay the development of this condition and reduce pain.

Painful heels
ORDER insoles to help heel pain
Pain under the heel, particularly first thing in the morning, can indicate poor foot function. Wearing orthotics (insoles) in your shoes can often help alleviate the pain. Sometimes called policeman's heel or plantar fasciitis.

Tired aching feet/flat feet
Caused by poor foot function and complicated by standing or walking for long periods of time, pregnancy and by being overweight. Orthotics (insoles) can help improve foot function and relieve discomfort.