Foot problems are a natural part of the runner's world. Your ability to recognize that which ails can mean a faster path to recovery. Whether the problem is knowing how to cope with a blister, contending with a hammertoe or assessing a more serious problem such as Metatarsalgia, injury assessment is a key to your health as a runner.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection largely caused as a result of increased moisture and friction between your toes. Humid conditions are an ideal breeding ground for this organism. Wearing too-snug shoes or regularly running in sweaty socks increases your chances of athlete's foot. Symptoms generally begin with an itchy, burning sensation in the affected area. Other symptoms include dry, flaky skin that is sometimes scale-like in appearance and toenails that appear to be rising away from the toe and are thicker than normal. Men are more at risk of this nuisance than women.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a more serious foot problem that you may experience as a result of running. Connecting the front of the foot to the rear from the forward portion of the heel to just behind your toes, the plantar fascia is a connective tissue whose role is both arch support and to absorb impact while you run. Plantar Fasciitis results when this connective tissue develops small tears. For runners, plantar fasciitis can be caused as a result of too much physical activity, or from a sudden jump in mileage or intensity of training. Additionally, shoes ill suited to the biomechanics of your feet are another common cause. The primary symptom of this problem is a steady pain on the sole of the foot, just in front of the heel. Pain is minor at first but can develop considerably over time and is usually at its strongest during the waking hours or just after a run. Women are more at risk from this problem than men.
Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a much more serious injury to contend with. Largely the result of either training too often and too hard or switching from a soft training surface, such as dirt, to a hard surface, such as concrete, stress fractures appear in the form of small bone chips or cracks, and can also appear as a result of osteoporosis. This is a foot problem that gradually develops. Pain may at first only appear towards the end of run but later may continue even when you're not training. Other symptoms include swelling and pain on the top of the foot. Though any runner can have stress fractures, you are most susceptible if you are a track runner.
