Throughout their lives, 75% of Americans will experience foot problems.
Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong with feet. From surface-level skin problems to deeper and perhaps more serious conditions, our feet have a lot of potential problems that it’s important to know how to deal with.
After all, your feet are responsible for getting you around! You want to take care of them.
These are the most common foot problems you might experience, as well as how to deal with them. Read on and look for the signs — then you’ll be best-equipped to take care of your feet.
Blisters
If you’ve ever worn uncomfortable shoes that don’t quite fit right for a long period of time, you’ve probably experienced blisters. They happen to people trying to break in new shoes, or walking around without picking the best footwear.
They’re pockets of fluid that appear raised on the skin of your feet and can be uncomfortable — or downright painful.
The good news is, they’re rarely serious or complicated. Try to let it heal on its own by covering it with a bandage.
In an emergency, you can drain it yourself as long as whatever you’re using is sterile, but it’s really best to let it heal on its own.
Gout
Gout happens if you have too much uric acid in your body. Crystals form in a joint — usually the big toe.
If you’re suffering from gout, you’ll probably notice sensitivity and pain in the area. It may also be warm to the touch.
Gout usually only affects one joint but if left untreated, it can spread, and may not just be contained to the foot. That’s why it’s important to see a medical professional so you can get pain relief and medication that will work on reducing uric acid to prevent more flare-ups in the future.
Bunions
One of the most common foot conditions, a bunion is a bump that forms on the side of your big toe and can make it point inwards. This can cause pain and interfere with day-to-day things, such as wearing certain shoes and even just walking.
They can be genetic or can be caused by shoes that don’t quite fit properly. For relief, make sure you have shoes correctly fitted that will prevent this from getting any worse and take over-the-counter pain medications.
If it gets unbearable, it’s time to see your doctor. Most times, however, bunions can be dealt with at home.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is one of the most contagious foot problems. It’s an infection that happens after you make contact with the fungus and can cause many symptoms, including:
- Redness
- Itchy or burning feet
- Blisters
- Crumbling toenails
- Cracked, dry skin
You can buy over-the-counter products to treat this condition, but it can be very difficult to get rid of. If it’s severe, you’ll definitely want to speak to a doctor. A lot of times, athlete’s foot can just keep coming back, no matter how many foot treatments you use, so it’s often important to have the advice of a professional.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is a calcium deposit between the arch of your foot and the heel. It might be hard to recognize because sometimes the only symptom is pain (which could be anything).
Sometimes, though, you will notice a protrusion in the area.
Cold compresses and pain killers might be enough to treat a mild one. As with any foot condition, make sure you’re wearing properly fitting footwear and try to rest it as much as possible.
Heel spurs can often require medical attention though, and might even need surgery to get rid of it completely.
Ingrown Toenail
Toenails can sometimes grow into the surrounding skin. Curved nails or nails that are pressed down too often by shoes that are too small can cause this to happen.
Often, they can be treated by pain relievers and resting the foot as much as possible so as not to aggravate it. However, more severe cases may need the attention of a doctor.
If an ingrown toenail has been left to keep growing into the skin for too long, a doctor may even recommend surgery to remove it entirely and let a new nail grow back.
Arthritis
Arthritis can affect any part of the body. The foot is just one of them, but it is a common place to experience symptoms.
It’s inflammation of a joint that can cause pain and stiffness. This means it can be difficult to move around or even walk, depending on how severe the condition is.
If you think you might have arthritis, it’s time to see a doctor. There’s no cure for the disease, but there are many options for treatment that can slow it down and get rid of the symptoms to make it easier for you to get around.
Mild cases may not even be too noticeable.
If You Have These Common Foot Problems, Treat Them Now
If you have one of these common foot problems, you may not have gone to a doctor yet. Many people are embarrassed by foot conditions or just haven’t carved out the time to make an appointment.
For some of them, you can try treating them at home first — but if that isn’t working, it’s time to speak to a medical professional. They’re all very common, and you deserve some relief from the discomfort!
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