Conditions
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth. The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi. The signs of athlete's foot, singly or combined, are drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation and blisters. Blisters often lead to cracking of the skin. When blisters break, small raw areas of tissue are exposed, causing pain and swelling.
Corns
A corn is a thickening of the skin on bony prominences, always on the toe. They can be treated or removed with surgery, if necessary.
Fungal Nails
Fungal nail is an infection of the bed and plate underlying the surface of the nail, and is caused by various types of fungi, which are commonly found throughout the environment. When the tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown or darker in color, and foul smelling. The infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails. The toenails are especially vulnerable around damp areas where people are likely to be walking barefoot -- swimming pools, locker rooms and showers, for example. Injury to the nail bed may make it more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails.
Heel Pain
Heel pain is generally the result of faulty biomechanics (walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. The stress may also result from injury, or a bruise incurred while walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces, wearing poorly constructed footwear, or being overweight.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown nails, the most common nail impairment, are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, and swelling. Usually, toenails grow straight out. Sometimes, however, one or both corners or sides curve and grow into the flesh. The big toe is usually the victim of this condition, but other toes can also become affected. Ingrown toenails may be caused by improperly trimmed nails, heredity, shoe pressure, or repeated trauma to the feet from normal activities.
Warts
Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, which generally invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but, technically, only those on the sole are properly called plantar warts.
