Different types of problems and conditions can affect the feet, from inflammation to injuries. These include athlete’s foot, bunions, diabetic neuropathy, ingrown toenails, and more.

If a person has concerns about problems affecting the feet, it is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. The doctor can advise on suitable treatments to manage symptoms and address the underlying condition.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of common foot problems. The following are in no particular order.

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin, usually between the toes. However, the infection can spread and cause significant discomfort, itching, and even pain.

Causes

An individual is most commonly exposed to the fungus that causes athlete’s foot in a locker room, shower, or pool where people walk around barefoot. Fungus tends to thrive in warm, damp areas.

Wearing shoes that are warm and damp can cause the fungus to grow and spread. The condition is highly contagious, and it can spread to other areas of the skin, including the hands, groin, and scalp.

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot causes:

  • itching
  • cracking
  • blistering
  • peeling of the feet

Treatment

Antifungal treatments are available in most drugstores as sprays, powders, or lotions to apply to the feet.

A person should keep their feet clean and dry, and dry them with a separate towel.

If the fungus is spreading or worsening after treatment, a person should contact their doctor. They may prescribe oral antifungal medication.

Bunions, or hallux valgus, are bony lumps that can develop on the inside of the foot beside the big toe. This can cause the big toe to turn slightly inward.

Causes

Wearing tight or narrow shoes can cause bunions to develop. Tight shoes put pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), which is where the bone of the foot meets the bone of the big toe.

Having a family history of bunions is also a risk factor. There is a family history of bunions in about 70% of cases, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Additionally, some conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and polio, can increase the likelihood of developing a bunion.

Symptoms

Bunions can cause:

  • a visible bump on the side of the foot
  • tenderness on or around the big toe
  • a corn or callus on the bone below the big toe
  • difficulty moving the big toe
  • pain in the big toe when walking

Treatment

Conservative treatment measures will usually improve the symptoms of a bunion. A person should wear properly fitting shoes without high heels.

They can also buy a bunion pad to protect the bunion from extra pressure.

A podiatrist can prescribe custom-made shoe inserts or a splint to help straighten the big toe. If the bunion does not subside and causes continued pain, they may choose to have surgery to correct it.

Learn more about treatments for bunions.

Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage in people with diabetes. The condition typically affects the feet and legs, but it can also affect the arms and hands.

Causes

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves, especially those in the feet.

Other factors can make this nerve damage worse, such as:

Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:

  • numbness
  • tingling
  • pain
  • reduced sensation, which can increase the likelihood of cuts or injuries

Treatment

Managing diabetes and blood sugar levels can help a person treat diabetic neuropathy.

While a doctor cannot reverse nerve damage, they can recommend treatments to prevent it from worsening.

A person with diabetes should also go for regular foot exams. They may wish to have their toenails professionally trimmed and seek medical attention if they identify any foot wounds.

Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail starts to grow into the nail groove, which can cause significant pain and discomfort.

Causes

Wearing footwear that does not fit properly can cause ingrown toenails. The pressure from shoes that are too narrow at the top or too tight can put extra pressure on the toes.

Other causes include toenails that are not trimmed properly, such as cutting the toenails too short, or trauma to the feet due to activity including running.

Symptoms

Ingrown toenails will cause:

  • swelling
  • tenderness
  • pain
  • pus due to infection

Treatment

There are several ways to treat and prevent ingrown toenails, including:

  • soaking the feet in warm water and gently drying them
  • wearing comfortable footwear
  • taking pain relief medication

If home remedies do not help or if there is an infection, a person should contact a medical professional for advice. The medical professional may need to remove a portion of the toenail and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the heel, according to the AAOS.

The condition occurs when the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. This ligament is responsible for supporting the foot’s arch.

Causes

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition that usually does not have a clear cause.

However, certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. These include:

  • being between the age of 40 and 60 years
  • obesity
  • beginning a new activity
  • increasing activity levels
  • spending a lot of time standing, particularly on hard surfaces
  • having either a high foot arch or flat feet
  • tight calf muscles

Symptoms

Plantar fasciitis causes a person to experience pain on the bottom of the heel.

This pain is usually worse first thing in the morning or after a period of rest. The pain can also worsen with activity.

Treatment

Most people can manage plantar fasciitis with at-home remedies. These include:

  • resting the foot and applying ice can reduce inflammation
  • taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, to manage pain
  • stretching the foot thoroughly before and after physical activity, as well as throughout the day, to help to reduce heel pain
  • wearing supportive footwear

If an individual’s plantar fasciitis does not get better with these treatments, a medical professional may recommend physical therapy.

Steroid injections may be necessary to reduce inflammation. A doctor may also prescribe custom-made orthotics to provide extra support to the heel.

Blisters are raised fluid-filled pockets in the skin. They usually develop when something causes chafing against the skin.

Causes

Foot blisters can develop after walking or running for long periods of time, especially if the feet have become sweaty or when wearing shoes that do not fit correctly.

Symptoms

Blisters can cause:

  • pain
  • tenderness
  • discomfort

They will usually appear as clear fluid-filled bumps. However, blood blisters will look red or black. If the blister develops an infection, it may look green or yellow.

Treatment

Most blisters will heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.

Steps that can help manage pain and other symptoms include:

  • wearing socks and soft bandages to protect the area
  • keeping the area clean
  • avoiding popping the blister, as this can cause more pain and lead to infection

If a person notices signs of infection, they should contact a doctor for advice. An infection can cause:

  • warmth
  • green or yellow pus
  • redness or discoloration around the blister

Learn more about blisters on the feet.

Corns are patches of thickened skin that commonly develop on the balls of the feet and the tops and sides of the toes.

Causes

Common causes of corns include:

  • wearing high heels
  • wearing uncomfortable footwear
  • wearing footwear that does not fit properly
  • wearing footwear without socks

Symptoms

Corns develop as small lumps of skin. They may be firm or soft, and in some cases they can cause pain.

Treatment

Treatments for a corn can include:

  • soaking the foot in warm water for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time
  • gently filing the corn with a pumice stone to remove dead skin
  • regularly applying moisturizer to the area
  • wearing footwear that fits properly
  • keeping toenails trimmed, as toenails that are too long can cause the foot to push up when wearing footwear

In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgical removal.

Learn more about home remedies for corns.

A heel spur, or calcaneal spur, is a bony growth that can develop on the heel.

Causes

A heel spur may develop due to long-term strain on muscles and ligaments. Conditions and factors that increase the likelihood include:

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • osteoarthritis
  • gout
  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • having overweight

Symptoms

For many individuals, there are no symptoms. In some cases, a person may have heel pain.

Treatment

A person may not require treatment unless the heel spur causes pain.

In some cases, it may be necessary to surgically remove the heel spur.

Learn more about treatments for heel spurs.

Claw toe, also known as claw foot, is when the first toe joint points up and the second toe joint points down.

Causes

Claw toe usually develops as a result of nerve damage. Possible causes include:

  • diabetes
  • stroke
  • alcohol use disorder

Physical injury and inflammation can also cause claw toe.

Symptoms

Claw toe causes the toe to bend upward at the joint closest to the ball of the foot. The middle joints bend downward.

In some cases, the joints at the top of the toes may also bend downward so that they are curling under the foot.

Treatment

Treatments for claw toe can include:

  • wearing shoes with wide toe boxes
  • avoiding tight footwear
  • toe exercises and stretches

Metatarsalgia is pain in the ball of the foot. It can affect the whole width of the foot or only a small area

Causes

Causes of metatarsalgia include:

  • arthritis of the big toe
  • bunions
  • wearing high heels
  • wearing footwear with thin soles
  • running and other high impact sport
  • having arched feet
  • having overweight

Symptoms

Symptoms of metatarsalgia can include:

  • burning
  • aching
  • a sharp shooting pain
  • feeling like there is a stone in the shoe

Treatment

Treatments generally include:

  • resting
  • wearing flatter or wider footwear
  • wearing an insole with a metatarsal dome
  • choosing low impact exercises over high impact exercises
  • maintaining a moderate weight to reduce pressure on the foot

Learn more about ball of foot pain.

Conditions that can affect the feet include athlete’s foot, claw toe, ingrown toenails, corns, and blisters.

Other causes of foot problems and pain can include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, metatarsalgia, and diabetic neuropathy.

It is best to contact a doctor if a person experiences pain or other symptoms affecting the feet. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis and advise on suitable treatments, which may include home remedies, medication, and physical therapy.