Common Foot Conditions and How to Deal With Them
by Ida Carroll
Your feet are one of the most overworked parts of your body. Not only do they have to support your body weight as you walk, run or engage in other activities, but they are expected to do so while being enclosed in tight footwear. As a result, your feet are bound to develop one condition or another. Knowing how to discern what foot problem you are suffering from would make it easier for you to attend to it effectively. However, if the problem seems chronic or if a home remedy cannot help, it is best to seek medical attention from a podiatrist.
Bunions
This foot condition manifests as bony swellings that will usually occur at the base of your big toe but could also develop on your other toes. Bunions tend to come about due to regularly wearing ill-fitting shoes that cause your feet to be exposed to cramped conditions all day long. It should be noted that bunions are also considered genetic as they can run in some families.
To contend with bunions, you should purchase some pads that you would put over the affected areas to ease the pressure when wearing shoes. Additionally, you should also consider purchasing orthotics that would provide your feet with adequate support. Lastly ensure that you wear properly fitting shoes that are not tight, especially if you are on your feet all day. You may also want to take a break from high heels if these are your choice type of footwear.
Verrucas
Some people usually ignore this kind of foot condition since they are typically painless. The verrucas are characterised by tiny dots that develop in between your toes or at the soles of your feet. At the onset, they will appear pink and soft but will eventually darken and harden. Verrucas are caused when you come into contact with a virus, which is typically in communal spaces that are exposed to water such as pool decking, communal showers and more. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you wear flip-flops to keep your feet protected whenever you are in such areas.
Luckily, verrucas can usually go away on their own if you have a healthy immune system. However, if you find that the verrucas are becoming larger and are painful to touch, then it would be advisable to see a podiatrist. The podiatrist would then freeze the affected area in an attempt to kill off the virus.
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About Me
If you are like me, you have probably been in embarrassed in the past about having thick, yellow or otherwise unsightly toenails. You may have even suffered pain from your toenails. Those statements used to describe me, but with the help of my family and podiatrist, my toenails have returned to a strong, clear and beautiful state. The journey wasn't always easy, and it forced me to ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research. As a result, I learned everything you can find in these blog posts. I see other people with painful looking toenails on the street, and I want to help them with some pointers, but walking up to strangers – however well intentioned – is a bit beyond my comfort levels so I decided to create this blog. I hope it helps and entertains you!