It's almost impossible to go through life without experiencing some type of foot problem. Whether it be a simple blister or a more complicated problem such as Achilles tendinitis, Foothealthcare.com states that most people will have at least one foot problem in their lifetime. Knowing what some of the most common conditions are can help prevent them from occurring.
Ingrown Toenails
The Cleveland Clinic states that ingrown toenails are the most common foot problems; they occur when the edge of the nail curves around, growing into the soft tissue of the nail border. This may result in the edge of the nail cutting into the skin and causing inflammation, redness, pain and drainage if the toe becomes infected. While the most common cause for this condition is a shoe that does not fit correctly, ingrown toenails also may occur due to nails that are not trimmed correctly, heavy trauma to the feet on a regular basis and a crowding of the toes. In some cases, it may be hereditary.
To prevent ingrown toenails, it is recommended that the nails be trimmed following a bath while they are soft, cutting them straight across rather than curving them around the edges. In addition, wear shoes that are comfortable rather than tight or constrictive.
Calluses and Corns
Corns and calluses are the result of the thickening of the skin. They typically are found on the balls of the feet and on the sides of the toes, beneath bony surfaces that bear weight. A callus is a buildup of hard skin on these areas; corns are a buildup of callus tissue. Calluses can be caused from uneven weight distribution, an improperly fitting shoe or sometimes a skin abnormality. Corns generally are caused by the pressure from shoes or by the friction of toes rubbing together. While these conditions are more common in the elderly due to a loss of fatty tissue, people of any age can have them.
In both cases, the treatment is the same. Soak the feet in warm, soapy water until the skin is softened. Followed this by gently scrubbing the callus or corn with a pumice stone, which helps remove excess tissue and skin. In some cases, surgery may be required--a doctor will remove a piece of bone or reposition the bone in an attempt to prevent the callus or corn from forming again.
Blisters
While many people may not take blisters seriously, they can become infected if not properly cared for. Technically, a blister is simply a shell formation on the skin that contains a clear liquid. The most common reasons blisters appear are shoes that do not fit, wearing shoes without socks and repeated rubbing of the skin.
Some believe it is better to pop, or break, the blister. However, the Cleveland Clinic states that the outer layer of skin covering the blister is what protects it from becoming infected. The area should be washed with soap and water, patted dry and covered with an antibacterial cream. It then should be wrapped carefully in gauze. This process should be repeated at least once a day until the blister goes away.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is a large tendon in the back of your ankle that connects the heel to the calf muscles. When tendinitis occurs in this area, severe pain is experienced--especially with the first few steps after a prolonged period of sitting or upon waking first thing in the morning. Foothealthcare.com states that the more a person moves around, the less severe the pain is.
While this is a common condition found among athletes, women who frequently wear high heels and then switch to flat shoes for running or walking also are at high risk for developing this problem. This is due to stretching and inflammation of the tendon as it is taken from one extreme to another.
