People usually don’t pay much attention to their feet until something starts to hurt or look off. But once something’s wrong, it’s hard to ignore. Some issues are small and fixable at home. Others? You’ll want a doctor’s help. Either way, healthy feet don’t just feel better — they look better too. Below are five foot problems that not only cause discomfort but can also affect the way your feet look.
1. Bunions are more than just a bump
If you’ve noticed a bump on the side of your big toe, it might be a bunion. This isn’t just extra bone or swelling — it’s actually your big toe joint shifting out of place. As the joint moves, the toe angles toward the others. That’s where the bump shows up. Along with the visual change, you may feel pain, swelling, and trouble fitting into shoes.
People often assume they can file it down or massage it away, but no home remedy will reverse a true bunion. Some over-the-counter supports and wider shoes can make things more comfortable. Still, the only permanent fix usually comes from surgery, especially if it’s painful or affecting your daily routine.
2. Athlete’s foot doesn’t just affect athletes
Fungus loves warm, damp places. Your feet in tight shoes? Ideal conditions. Athlete’s foot causes peeling, itching, redness, and sometimes cracking between the toes. It’s contagious, too. If left alone, it can spread to the toenails, and from there to other areas like the groin or underarms.
You can usually clear it up with creams from the drugstore, but the key is being consistent. Keep your feet clean and dry, wear breathable shoes, and don’t share towels or socks. If it keeps coming back, it might be time to ask a podiatrist about stronger treatments.
3. Hammertoes can sneak up on you
A hammer toe is a condition in which a toe is bent abnormally, making it look like a hammer. The most common symptoms of a hammer toe are pain, corns and calluses, swelling, redness, and the inability to straighten the toe. In most cases, the pain intensifies while moving the affected toe or wearing shoes.
A hammer toe occurs when the muscles that straighten and bend the toes weaken and cannot straighten the affected toe. People who prefer high heels or narrow shoes are more likely to develop hammer toes. If you experience severe pain and other symptoms of hammer toes that interfere with your regular activity, it is better to visit a foot doctor for hammer toe treatment.
4. Ingrown toenails are more common than people think
Cutting your toenails too short, or at an angle, can cause the edge to grow into the skin. It’s easy to brush off at first, but once it swells or gets infected, you’ll feel it every step you take. Redness, pain, and even pus can show up around the nail.
Warm soaks and antibacterial cream might help in mild cases. But if the pain is getting worse, or if the toe looks like it’s starting to swell or drain fluid, don’t wait. A quick visit to the doctor can save you weeks of discomfort.
5. Corns and calluses may seem harmless but can still cause problems
If you’re noticing thick, hard patches of skin on your toes or soles, they’re probably corns or calluses. They’re your skin’s way of protecting itself from too much rubbing or pressure. Shoes that don’t fit quite right are usually to blame.
For most people, a good soak and gentle scrubbing with a pumice stone will do the trick. Moisturizing after can help keep them from coming back. But if they become painful, or start to crack and bleed, it’s time to stop the home remedies and check in with a foot specialist.
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