Avoid a sandal scandal

Is a bunion, corn, ingrown toenail or a bad case of athlete's foot causing you foot pain or embarrassment? Keep your feet healthy by learning to recognize and treat common foot problems.

Bunion

A bony bump at the base of the big toe, a bunion causes that toe to deviate toward the others. Throwing foot bones out of alignment and producing the characteristic bump at the joint's base, a bunion can be very painful due to pressure or arthritis, and may also lead to corns. Pain relievers, pads to cushion the bunion, custom shoe inserts, or surgery may help, as will wearing roomy shoes and avoiding high heels.

Corns and calluses

Friction causes the thick, hardened, dead skin of corns and calluses, which form to protect sensitive skin. Appearing cone-shaped, corns point into the skin, and usually occur on areas that bear little weight. Calluses may appear anywhere there's friction, and are more diffuse. Both may be caused by ill-fitting shoes and will fade when friction stops. Moleskin pads can help relieve a corn; calluses can be trimmed or surgically corrected.

Gout

A form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden pain, redness, swelling, and stiffness, usually in the large joint of the big toe. Gout can also occur in the foot, ankle, or knees. It and is caused by too much uric acid (UA) in the body, which can form hard crystals in joints. Attacks can last days or weeks, and may be treated with anti-inflammatories or UA-lowering medication. Talk to your doctor about diet changes that help break down UA.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are tough, horny growths that develop on the soles of the feet. Contagious, they're caused by a virus entering through broken skin, and often spread via public pools and showers. Plantar warts are harmless and can be left untreated, but in many cases they're too painful to ignore. Topical salicylic acid may help, while burning, freezing, laser therapy, and surgical removal are more aggressive options for more severe cases.

Athlete's foot

A fungal infection that can cause peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores, athlete's foot is mildly contagious, passed by direct contact or by walking barefoot in areas such as locker rooms, or near pools. The fungi then grow in shoes, especially tight ones without air circulation. Athlete's foot is usually treated with topical antifungal lotions or oral medications for more severe cases.

Fungal nail infection

Occuring when microscopic fungi enter through a break in the nail, a fungal infection can make your nails thick, discolored and brittle. If left untreated, the nail infection won't go away -- and can be hard to treat. Thriving in warm, wet places, the fungi can be spread from person to person. Topical creams may help mild cases but antifungal pills are your best chance of curing a severe infection.

Hammertoe

When toe muscles get out of balance, they can cause painful toe problems. While some people are prone to hammertoe, other risks include tight footwear. Hammertoe generally causes the middle joint of the toe to bend downward, with toes appearing raised near the foot. Well-fitted footwear with the correct amount of space in the toe box, shoe supports, and surgery may offer relief.

Ingrown toenail

A toenail that has grown into the skin, an ingrown toenail can result in pain, redness, swelling, even infection. Cutting nails too short or not straight across, injury to the toenail, and wearing tight shoes are culprits. For mild cases, soak the foot in warm water, keep it clean, and wedge a small piece of cotton under the corner of the ingrown nail to lift it off the skin. Minor surgery can remove all or part of the nail.

Flatfoot (pes planus)

Flatfoot is characterized by the sole of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground. It may be inherited, caused by an injury, or by a condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Flatfoot symptoms are rare, though weight gain, ill-fitting shoes, or excessive standing may cause pain. Treatment includes foot-strengthening exercises, and shoes with good arch support or orthotics.

More Reading on Foot Problems

• Bunions: Exercises and Treatment for Bunions
• Athlete's Foot
• How to Prevent Athlete's Foot
• Fungal Nails
• Aging & Foot Care