Common Foot Problems and Treatments - Bunions, Corns, Plantar Fasciitis, and More Explained

Understanding the Importance of Healthy Feet

Our feet play a critical role in our daily lives. As the foundation of our body, our feet carry us everywhere we need to go. But with all that demand put on them, it's no wonder that many people experience foot problems. In fact, foot issues are some of the most common conditions seen by podiatrists. When our feet hurt, it impacts our ability to stand, walk, run, and enjoy activities. That's why properly caring for our feet is a key part of maintaining our health and mobility.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore some of the most common foot problems people face. We'll look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for conditions like bunions, corns, athletes foot, plantar fasciitis, and more. We'll also provide tips on how to promote foot health through stretching, proper footwear, and foot care techniques. Taking steps to understand and prevent foot issues can go a long way towards keeping your feet happy and healthy for years to come.

Do Toes Need to Be Spread Out?

One common question many people have is whether toes are supposed to be spread out or kept close together. This often comes up when noticing that toes seem to be scrunched or overlapping. So what's the right way for toes to align?

In general, having toes that naturally spread out some is considered normal and healthy foot alignment. When standing barefoot, most people have toes that point straight ahead and have a small natural gap between them. This allows the toes to help provide balance, grip, and forward propulsion when walking. Some spreading of the toes helps distribute weight evenly across the feet.

That said, the amount of space between toes can vary quite a bit from person to person. Some have toes that separate more widely, while others have toes that are set closer together. Subtle differences in toe alignment are usually not a major concern. More significant crowding or overlapping of toes may require treatment to prevent complications like skin irritation, corns, or bunions.

Some factors that can influence toe alignment and spacing:

• Genetics - Toe shape and positioning is partially inherited.
• Foot structure - Those with high arches or flat feet may have toes that crowd more.
• Foot injuries - Past fractures, sprains or connective tissue damage can alter toe spacing.
• Arthritis - Joint inflammation and bone spur development can change toe alignment.
• Improperly sized shoes - Shoes that are too narrow squeeze toes together.

While properly spaced toes are ideal, there are options to help manage crowding or overlapping toes. We'll discuss some of those later when we look at bunions and hammertoes. First up, let's look at one of the most annoying and common foot problems out there - corns and calluses.

Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hardened skin that develop in response to friction, pressure, or irritation. While they can pop up anywhere on the feet, they are especially common over toe joints, on the balls of the feet, and around the heels.

Corns are smaller, have a central core, and are usually more painful than calluses. Common causes of corns include:

• Hammertoes or bunions rubbing against shoes.
• Crooked or overlapping toes.
• High heels, shoes with a narrow toe box, or tight stockings creating pressure points.
• Foot deformities like bone spurs.

Calluses form larger, thicker areas of rough skin, often yellowish in tone. Typical causes of calluses include:

• Uneven weight distribution when walking or standing.
• High impact activities like running or sports.
• Improperly fitted shoes and socks.
• Abnormal bone structure leading to excess pressure.

Treatment for corns and calluses focuses on reducing friction and pressure. Options may include:

• Wearing well-fitted shoes with ample room for toes.
• Using orthotics or pads to redistribute foot pressure.
• Trimming thick skin gently with a pumice stone or callus shaver.
• Applying corn/callus remover medications.
• Getting prescription orthotics from a podiatrist.

It's essential to avoid cutting corns and calluses yourself with razors or scissors which can lead to infections. Seek professional help for severe or painful corns and calluses that don't improve with self-care. If there is an underlying foot condition or bone deformity causing the problem, treatment will focus on resolving that issue.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a very common fungal infection of the feet. It got its name because it is often seen in athletes using communal showers and locker rooms where the fungus thrives. But anyone can get this unpleasant infection.

Signs of athlete's foot include:

• Itchy, flaky, peeling skin between the toes or on the soles/sides of feet.
• Redness and irritation of the skin.
• Cracking skin, especially between the toes.
• Blisters or sores on the feet.

This fungal infection grows well in the warm, moist environment of feet, especially if hygiene is poor. Besides communal facilities, risk factors include:

• Going barefoot in public areas.
• Wearing tight, non-breathable shoes.
• Not properly drying between the toes after bathing.
• Having sweaty feet or other skin conditions like eczema.
• Share shoes or socks with someone who has athlete's foot.

Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, sprays, or powders applied to the feet daily. Keeping feet clean and dry also helps. Be sure to also disinfect shoes and socks. Severe or recurring athlete's foot may need prescription oral antifungal medication. See a doctor if home care isn't working or if you have diabetes, since infections can be serious.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue running along the sole from the heel to the toes. This condition causes stabbing heel pain, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting.

Common causes include:

• Repeated small tears and tension on the plantar fascia through overuse or strain.
• Tight calf muscles that put extra stress on the plantar fascia.
• Being overweight, which adds pressure and strain to the foot.
• High arches or flat feet altering gait and foot mechanics.
• Sudden increases in activity level like running longer distances.

To treat plantar fasciitis at home:

• Stretch and massage the arch and calf.
• Ice the heel for 10-15 minutes several times per day.
• Wear supportive shoes with good arch support.
• Use OTC pain relievers like NSAIDs to reduce inflammation.
• Try night splints to keep the plantar fascia stretched while sleeping.

See a podiatrist if symptoms persist beyond a few weeks. More aggressive treatment like custom orthotics, cortisone injections, walking casts, or shockwave therapy may be needed in severe cases.

Bunions

Bunions, also called hallux valgus, are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe. They push the big toe in towards the other toes, sometimes overlapping or angling underneath.

Bunions develop from:

• Inherited foot structure leading to instability and misalignment.
• Wearing tight, narrow shoes that squeeze the toes together.
• Lax ligaments causing overpronation and instability.
• Injuries, arthritis, or nerve issues affecting foot biomechanics.

As bunions progress, they can become quite painful due to pressure and friction against shoes. Symptoms include:

• Bony bump at the base of the big toe.
• Big toe drifting inward towards other toes.
• Red, irritated skin and calluses.
• Restricted motion of the big toe.
• Discomfort walking or finding proper shoe fit.

Nonsurgical treatment focuses on relieving pressure on the bunion and reducing pain. Options include:

• Wider, low-heeled shoes with a big toe box.
• Bunion pads and splints to protect the bunion.
• Orthotics customized for proper foot alignment.
• Anti-inflammatory medications.
• Bunionectomy surgery in severe cases.

Early treatment when bunions first develop helps prevent progression requiring surgery. Have any changes in the big toe evaluated by a podiatrist.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes describe a bending deformity of the lesser toes where they are permanently flexed at one or more joints. This causes the toes to appear claw-like, often overlapping or pressing against each other.

Causes include:

• Muscle imbalances leading to uneven tendon pulling.
• Nerve damage from injury or conditions like diabetes.
• Joint dislocations or arthritis.
• Tight shoes crowding the toes.

The bent toe position rubs against shoes leading to painful corns and calluses. Other symptoms include:

• Redness, irritation, and swelling around affected toes.
• Toes that won't straighten out.
• Difficulty with mobility due to toe rigidity.
• Skin ulcers or infections in severe cases.

Nonsurgical treatment aims to relieve pressure on bent toes and reduce calluses. Options can include:

• Pads to straighten toe position.
• Custom orthotics.
• Protective toe spacers and splints.
• Shoes with a wide, high toe box.
• Trimming corns and calluses.
• Toe exercises to stretch tight ligaments.

If conservative care fails to relieve symptoms, doctors may recommend surgery to correct the bent positions of hammertoes. This allows toes to rest in normal alignment.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. The big toe is most often affected due to injury, improper nail trimming, tight hosiery, and pressure from shoes. Ingrown toenails produce pain, swelling, redness, and discharge of pus.

To treat an ingrown toenail:

• Wear open, roomy shoes to avoid pressure on the toe.
• Trim nails straight across to prevent edges growing into skin.
• Gently push skin away from embedded edges using cotton swab.
• Apply antibacterial cream to prevent infection.
• Use braces, tape, or gauze to keep nail edges lifted.

Severe cases may require a minor procedure to remove the side of a nail or use chemicals to destroy the nail bed. This prevents the nail from growing back into the skin. See a podiatrist promptly if home care isn't helping or an infection develops.

Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis as discussed earlier. But sometimes a bony heel spur develops, worsening symptoms. Spurs form from calcium build-up at the point the plantar fascia ligament connects to the heel bone. The protruding spur further irritates the inflamed ligament.

Patients describe heel spur pain as:

• Deep, aching pain in the heel.
• Stabbing pain with the first steps in the morning or after resting.
• Sharp pain when rolling the bare foot over the spur.
• Pain improving somewhat after warming up the feet.

Heel spurs often develop in those with plantar fasciitis but can sometimes occur on their own. Contributing factors include:

• Repeated strain and micro tears of the plantar fascia.
• Tight Achilles tendons putting excess pull on the plantar fascia.
• Sudden increases in activity level like running or sports.
• Being overweight which adds pressure on the feet.
• Poor cushioning in footwear.

Treatment focuses on relieving tension on the plantar fascia and reducing inflammation. Typical remedies include:

• NSAID medications to decrease inflammation.
• Physical therapy exercises to stretch the arch and Achilles tendon.
• Orthotics to support the arch.
• Night splints keeping the plantar fascia stretched overnight.
• Shockwave therapy to break up the spur.
• Cortisone injections to relieve acute pain.

Prevention through regular stretching, supportive footwear, and maintaining a healthy weight is key. Have ongoing heel pain evaluated by your doctor to guide appropriate care.

Foot Fractures

The bones of our feet endure tremendous pressure and are prone to breakage, especially the metatarsals and small toe bones. Common causes of foot fractures include:

• Falls, collisions, or accidents directly impacting the foot.
• Twisting ankles or sudden, awkward foot movements.
• Stress fractures through overuse, repetitive strain, or increased training.
• Osteoporosis weakening foot bones.

Symptoms of a foot fracture include:

• Severe pain when bearing weight on the affected foot.
• Swelling, bruising, and tenderness over the fracture.
• Inability or difficulty walking.
• Visibly crooked, deformed, or shortened toes.

Treatment varies based on the location and severity of the fracture:

• Buddy taping the fractured toe to stabilize it.
• Hard soled shoe or walking boot to limit foot motion.
• Cast or surgical pinning for displaced bones.
• Pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.

Full recovery takes around 6-8 weeks for minor fractures and up to 6 months for breaks requiring surgery. Consult an orthopedist for proper diagnosis and treatment of suspected foot fractures.

Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid buildup in the body. Painful gout attacks often strike the joint at the base of the big toe. Symptoms arise abruptly and include:

• Intense pain, tenderness, warmth, and swelling in the big toe.
• Red, shiny, tense skin over the affected joint.
• Difficulty with foot mobility due to pain and stiffness.
• Feeling like the foot is on fire.

Gout attacks happen when urate crystals suddenly deposit in the joint space, leading to fierce inflammation. Risk factors for gout include:

• Diet high in purines which elevate uric acid.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.