Many foot problems are associated with painful feet. According to MayoClinic.com, foot problems anywhere from the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel to the tips of the toes can cause painful feet. Some foot pain is mild and self-resolves shortly after appearing, while other types of foot pain are more serious and require medical attention and intervention. MayoClinic.com states that most foot pain responds well to conservative, home-based therapies.
Bunions
Bunions are a problem that may be associated with painful feet. According to the Foot Health Facts website, bunions are a common foot deformity in which a large bump develops at the base of the big toe. Bunions usually occur in conjunction with hallux valgus--a condition in which the big toe deviates toward the foot's mid-line. Bunions are a progressive condition, which means that they tend to get worse over time, unless the big toe is restored to its normal anatomical position in line with the inside edge of the foot. The Foot Health Facts website states that the visible bump on the side of the big toe indicates structural changes in the bony framework of the forefoot. Possible signs and symptoms associated with bunions include pain or soreness in the affected area, inflammation and redness in the overlying skin, a burning sensation and numbness in the involved area. Bunions are usually caused by a lifetime of wearing shoes with tapered toe boxes.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a problem that can cause painful feet. The MedlinePlus website states that athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the feet. Some cases of athlete's foot are short-lived, whereas other cases may last for a prolonged period. Even after treatment, athlete's foot may return. Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing athlete's foot, including wearing closed-toe shoes, feet that remain wet for an extended period of time, feet that sweat a lot and skin and nail injuries. Common signs and symptoms associated with athlete's foot include cracked, flaking and peeling skin between the toes, redness and itching in the affected area, stinging or burning, blisters, oozing and crusting. In some cases, the foot fungus spreads to the toenail, causing them to become thick and discolored. Athlete's foot-related complications may include secondary bacterial infections such as cellulitis and medication-induced side effects.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a problem that's associated with painful feet. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS, Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve--the nerve that leads to the toes. The AAOS states that Morton's is eight to 10 times more common in women than men, and that it usually manifests between the third and fourth toes. Morton's neuroma occurs when the digital nerve is simultaneously stretched and squeezed. Inappropriate footwear--footwear that includes tapered toe-boxes and toe-spring--is one of the most common causes of this condition. Possible signs and symptoms associated with Morton's neuroma include the sensation of walking on a marble, burning pain under the ball of the foot that may radiate to the toes, pain that's worse with activity or wearing shoes and numbness in the toes.
