Common Foot Issues

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete's foot may be identified by the following symptoms:

• Dry, scaly skin between the toes
• Inflammation of the skin
• Persistent itching of the skin on your feet

Symptoms may present most frequently between the toes but can often spread to the bottom of your feet if left untreated. It is important to note that the fungus may spread to other parts of the body through contact with the infected foot.

Treating & Preventing Athlete’s Foot

Several over-the-counter topical anti-fungal creams found at your local pharmacy have proven effective in treating Athlete’s Foot. If the initial treatment proves to be ineffective, your podiatrist may prescribe a more effective anti-fungal medication or an antibiotic.

Feet should be cleaned frequently to prevent further growth of the fungus. Talcum powder should be used in shoes to reduce moisture and create a dryer environment. If possible, consider switching to lighter, thinner shoes that promote better air circulation.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Symptoms of ingrown toenails include swelling, drainage, redness, and odor. Ingrown toenails typically develop over three stages⁵.

• Stage 1: The side of the nail begins to grow into the soft tissue of the toe.
• Stage 2: The soft tissue area becomes inflamed and fills with white/yellow pus.
• Stage 3: The inflammation worsens and becomes visible. Pus continues to fill and ooze out of the affected soft tissue area.

Treating & Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be treated at home if not severe. Clean the affected area, soak your foot in salt water for 10-15 minutes, then dry and bandage the area after applying a topical antiseptic. Aggressive forms of nail removal should be avoided and left to a podiatrist. Individuals with diabetes or circulatory disorders should avoid self-treatment of ingrown toenails and instead visit their podiatrist.

Wearing looser shoes and exercising caution when trimming your toenails can help prevent ingrown toenails in the future. More permanent treatments are available if ingrown toenails become chronic.

Symptoms of Corns & Calluses

Corns and calluses are rough formations on the bottom of your foot or the tops of your toes. They are rounded bumps of thick skin that may or may not be uncomfortable.

Treating & Preventing Corns & Calluses

If your corn or callus is not causing you discomfort, it is best to leave it alone and instead focus on addressing the possible cause of the problem such as footwear. Painful corns or calluses may be removed, often without pain, by a podiatrist using a sharp blade. Self-removal of a corn or callus is never recommended and can lead to serious injury.

Consider using gel inserts to relieve friction points in the bottom of your feet in order to prevent calluses. Properly fitting shoes can reduce the occurrence of corns.

Symptoms of Sprains, Strains, & Fractures

Depending on the severity of the injury, sprains, and fractures can carry different symptoms. A sprain may cause swelling, bruising, and pain in the injured area. A small fracture may exhibit similar symptoms but be less obvious to the naked eye.

Treating & Preventing Sprains, Strains, & Fractures

Minor sprains and strains can be treated at home using the RICE acronym: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It’s important to minimize the amount of time spent using the sprained foot or ankle in order to allow the healing process to be most effective.

Due to the possible range of their severity, fractures can be treated in a number of ways. If you experience severe pain after an injury or notice any abnormalities in the structure of your foot, consider visiting a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation.

Prevent sprains and fractures by giving your body ample time to warm up before engaging in high amounts of physical activity.⁷