Bunions
A bunion is a misalignment in the big toe joint that can become swollen and painful. The deformity causes the first joint of the big toe to slant outward, and the big toe to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to be genetic, but narrow shoes can aggravate the tendency. Bunions can be treated conservatively, and preventive steps can minimize discomfort, but surgery is recommended to correct the problem.

Corns
A corn is an area of thick skin that commonly occur on top of the toes.  There is most often an underlying hammertoe deformity, which causes the toe to rub the top of a shoe.  Conservative treatment includes modification of shoes and padding of the affected area.  Your podiatrist can also trim the thick skin routinely to help maintain a level of comfort.  Surgical treatment is directed at correcting the hammertoe deformity

Calluses
Calluses are areas of thick skin that usually occur on the bottom of the feet. The thickening of the skin is the body’s natural response to increased pressure and friction. They are often times associated with a bony prominence. The most common area affected by calluses is the ball of the foot. This area bears a great amount of pressure when we walk. These areas can become very painful as the skin thickens. Diabetics are at risk for these areas to break down into open sores.

Warts
Most foot warts are harmless, even though they may be painful. They are often mistaken for corns or calluses, which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area that is being continuously irritated. A wart, however, is caused by a virus that invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions. Foot warts are generally raised and fleshy ad can appear anywhere on the foot or toes.

Toe Fungus
Changes in toenail color and thickness can be due a fungal infection of the nails.  Fungal toenail infections are a common problem affecting the feet, is characterized by discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s Foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus that usually occurs between the toes and on the bottom of the feet. The foot is affected because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment that encourages the fungus to grow. Warm, damp areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi.

Symptoms include drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters on and between the toes. Athlete’s Foot can spread to the toenails as well as other parts of the body, which is why timely treatment is so important.

Diabetes & Feet
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects nearly 16 million people in the United States, many of whom have never been diagnosed.  It is the inability for the body to manufacture insulin, or the inability for the body to use insulin.  The result is increased levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia).  The long term affects of high blood sugar are damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, feet, and blood vessels.

Due to decreased blood flow and damage to nerves in the lower extremity, diabetics are at a higher risk for non-healing wounds, infection, fractures, and amputations.  Routine visits to your podiatrist can help to prevent and/or manage diabetic foot complications and also prevent loss of limb or parts of limbs. 

Heel Pain.
Plantar fasciitis is the term commonly used to refer to heel and arch pain traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. More specifically, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue called plantar fascia. It stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, and inserts into the heel bone. Overpronation is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens the foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this causes inflammation.

This condition is often treated successfully with anti-inflammatory medications, icing, stretching exercises, and orthotic devices. Physical therapy can also be used to help treat heel pain.