A Bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe, a bunion causes that toe to deviate toward others. It throws the foot bones out of alignment and produces the characteristic bump at the joint’s base. Bunions can be very painful caused by the pressure of arthritis, and may lead to corns.
How to deal with them
Treat the pain with pain relievers, use pads to cover the bunions, buy shoe inserts, or surgery may be an effective option for you. Avoid wearing high heels and wear roomy shoes for comfort.
Corn and calluses are dead thickened skin that is caused by friction. The thick skin forms to protect the sensitive skin on the foot. These will go away when you reduce the friction of the irritated area. Moleskin pads can eliminate corns and calluses can be trimmed or surgically removed.
Gout is a form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden pain, redness, swelling and stiffness. These symptoms usually occur in the large joint of the big toe. Gout can form in the foot, ankle, or knees. It is caused by too much uric acid (UA) in the body, which can form hard crystals in joints. These attacks may last days or weeks.
How to treat Gout
You can treat gout with anti-inflammatory or UA-lowering medication. A change in your diet may help give you relief too, talk to your doctor.
Plantar warts are tough, horny growths that develop on the soles of the feet. They are contagious, they are caused by a virus entering through broken skin, and often spread via public pools and showers. These warts are harmless and can be left untreated, but in many cases the pain is unbearable. Plantar wart can be treated with topical salicylic acid. In addition, burning, freezing, laser therapy and surgical removal are more aggressive options for more serious cases.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes itching, burning, blisters, peeling skin and sores. It is mildly contagious and can be passed on by walking on bare floors in locker rooms or pools. The fungi grows in shoes, especially tight one’s when there is no air circulation. This condition can be treated with anti-fungal creams or oral medications for more severe cases.
Fungal nail infection happens when microscopic fungi enters a broken nail and causes them to be brittle, discolored and thick. It will not go away without treatment. This infection can be hard to treat, it can be passed on. It survives in warm and wet places. Topical creams can be used to relieve the fungi and for more serious infections antifungal pill may be prescribe by your doctor.
Hammertoe is when the bone of the toe becomes unbalanced. Some may be prone to hammertoe, wearing tight shoes can put you at risk. When the bone is off balance it makes the joint of the toe bend downward, with toes appearing raised near the foot. Well fitted shoes with enough toe room, shoe supports, and surgery may offer relief.
Ingrown toenail is when the nail has grown in the skin causing pain, swelling, redness and infection. Cutting the nails too short or not straight across, injury to the toenail, and wearing tight shoes are culprits. If your case is mild, soak foot in warm water, keep it clean, and wedge a small piece of cotton under the corner of the ingrown nail and lift off the skin. Minor surgery remove all or part of the nail.
Flatfoot is characterized by the sole of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with ground. It can be inherited, cause by injury or by rheumatoid arthritis. Flatfoot signs are rare, though weight gain, ill-fitting shoes, or excessive standing may cause pain. You can treat it with foot-strengthening exercises, and shoes with good arch support or orthotics.
