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The feet can suffer many conditions due to inherited genes, using
the wrong shoes or simply because we do not pay attention to them.
Some common problems can be prevented:
Bunions
They usually appear next to the big toe. They can be painful and
unsightly. There is some indication that they can be genetic or at
least some people have predisposition to develop them. They also can
be related to arthritis. In most cases they are the result of tight
shoes.
It is important to use shoes that leave space for your toes to be
comfortable. The pointed shoes are the worst offender.
The solutions for bunions go from simply changing to more
comfortable shoes to using gel filled pads to surgery.
If the bunions are not treated and the person continues to use tight
shoes in the toes area the problem grows and does not go away.
Corns and calluses
Most people have had or will have corns and/or calluses. They form
from frequent pressure on the skin of the foot or when the bone of
the foot presses against the shoe. Using the right shoes prevents
and could end the problem forever.
Sometimes the use of pads helps to make the shoes more comfortable.
They can be eliminated with special products, filing the feet with
foot files or stones or using exfoliants. Just in severe cases, when
there is pain, they are removed by a podiatrist.
Morton’s Neuroma
Tight shoes are usually the cause of this condition. It is caused by
putting pressure on some foot nerves. This causes pain that can
extend to the ankle.
The solution can be as easy as changing shoes for a wider style to
the use of medications, and in some cases, surgery.
Fungus
These are the most common problems with the feet. It is easy to get
fungus, especially if the person walks without shoes in public
places such as bathrooms in hotels, swimming pools, etc. Less common
is while trying shoes in a shop or sharing shoes with someone who
has it. Another common cause is lack of hygiene.
The foot fungus can often be treated with topical over-the-counter
medicines. If the fungus is on the nails, that requires medical
treatment.
Plantar warms
They are like calluses on the sole of the foot. They are caused by a
virus. They can be very painful. The treatment, although easy to
apply, is not always effective. There are over the counter
medications to treat them.
Ingrown toenails
The nail grows inside the skin and this can be painful. There are
many causes among them: tendency due to genetics, trauma such as to
hit the foot with an object, practicing some activities where
hitting with the feet is required and improper nail trimming.
If the person develops an infection, medical treatment is required.
Otherwise you can trim the nail and hopefully it will grow normally
next time.
Read How
to do a pedicure at home and
foot care
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