5 Common Conditions That Can Worsen the Look of Your Feet

There are a lot of factors that can affect your feet. The way you take care of your feet has a great impact on their look. That’s why it is extremely important to examine your feet on a regular basis and don’t delay your appointment with a podiatrist if you have noticed at least any symptoms or changes in your feet. In this article, we have gathered five common conditions that can worsen the look of your feet.

1. Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump near the big toe. Many people confuse bunions with bone growths but the reality is that bunions are big toe joints that have shifted and misaligned. In the initial stages, bunions may develop without any severe symptoms. But when a bump becomes bigger, it can cause pain while walking and wearing shoes. 

Additionally, a bunion can become red and swollen. Indeed you can use orthotics or home remedies to ease the symptoms of this condition. But you should understand that the only effective way to treat bunions is surgery. 

2. Athlete’s foot

An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the feet. It develops when fungi gets on your skin from the affected person. The most common symptoms of an athlete’s foot are itching, swelling, blisters, patches of dead skin, and an unpleasant foot smell. 

You can get this condition in public showers, swimming pools, and other wet places where people walk barefoot. Additionally, an infected person can transmit an athlete’s foot through socks, shoes, and towels. Fortunately, an athlete’s foot can be easily treated with the help of antifungal medication in combination with home remedies.

3. Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are quite common in people who have dry fruit skin and wear uncomfortable shoes. Both corns and calluses occur as a natural reaction of the skin to rubbing or pressure. Corns can develop on the feet and hands while calluses can develop only on the soles of the feet. 

In most cases, you can get rid of corns and calluses at home with the help of a food bath and a pumice stone. But you should understand that if the corn is infected or inflamed, you should contact a foot doctor and undergo a professional corn removal. 

4. Ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail is a condition that occurs when a toenail grows deep into the skin and otger tissues of the toe. This condition occurs because of the hereditary form of a toenail but there are some factors that can increase your risk of getting an ingrown toenail. They include: 

• Wearing narrow shoes

• Incorrect toenail trimming

• Trauma

• Sweaty feet

In many cases, you can cope with an ingrown toenail on your own. You only need to cut your toenails straight and keep your feet clean and dry. But if you neglect your condition, an ingrown toenail can lead to the inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

5. Skin dryness

Dry and flaky skin can make even the most beautiful feet look unsightly and even awkward. When though people tend to moisturize their facial and body skin, some of them forget about their feet. You should know that dry foot skin can contribute to the development of blisters, corns, and calluses. You can make a foot bath with coconut oil and colloidal oatmeal to moisture your skin. Additionally, don’t forget to use moisturizing creams and lotions to make your foot skin soft and smooth.

The bottom line

If you want to have pretty feet, you should pay sufficient attention to their condition. In most cases, you can improve the condition of your feet on your own. However, if you have any serious complications, it is better to contact a foot doctor for a thorough examination and treatment.