Common foot problems

These are painful areas of hard thickened skin appearing between or on the toes and on the soles of the feet, caused by constant rubbing on the skin when walking. Bruising can also occur in the callus.

These can be very painful. They are soft skin lesions or skin build-ups that occur between the toes, caused by the knuckles of the toes rubbing against each other. It can feel like sand grains between the toes at first, then becoming a sharp pain.

These can be caused by a number of things such as bruised/blackened nails, fungal infections, very curved nails, or nails growing upwards.

Usually caused by trauma to the nail such as kicking the nail bed or can develop over a long period due to instances such as the nail constantly hitting the inside of the shoe as you walk.

This is caused by a fungal infection of the skin, usually between the toes. It can spread to the sole and sides of the feet. It causes the skin to become white, itchy and scaly. It can become cracked and sore. There may also be mild swelling, blisters or weeping sores. This may often be associated with itching or burning sensations.

The leading cause of hangnail or ingrown toenails is clumsy nail trimming. If you cut the nails too short or around the edge or corners of the nail, they can grow into the soft nail fold, piercing it. It’s a common condition which can be painful, cause swelling, redness and can become infected.

These are viral (wart) infections in the skin. They can be painless or painful.

The toes bend downwards to resemble a hammer or claw. Caused by ill-fitting shoes or with age if there is unsteadiness on the feet.

This is very uncomfortable. Dry flaky skin is unsightly and not normal. Dry cracked skin can make you prone to infections. Keeping the skin moisturised helps restore its natural defences.

The same fungus that infects the skin can infect the nails turning them yellow/brown/green and making them thick, flaky and crusty. The pressure of fungal debris build-up under the nail can be painful.

Infections such as Paronychia which is a skin infection occurring around the nail is caused by picking a hangnail or by trimming or pushing back the cuticle.