Three common foot conditions and what to do about them

Sore feet? Itchy toes? It’s not unusual to experience foot problems. Here are three of the most common foot conditions people encounter and what to do about them.

Athlete’s foot
This fungal infection of the skin and nails produces a red, scaly rash. It usually begins between the toes, and it causes itching, stinging and burning. To avoid developing athlete’s foot, wash and carefully dry your feet every day, keep socks and shoes dry, and change shoes regularly. Athlete’s foot can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications.

Blisters
Blisters are small pockets of fluid within the upper layers of the skin caused by excessive friction. The culprit may be ill-fitting or stiff shoes or simply being on your feet for an extended amount of time. The best way to treat a blister is to leave it alone until it breaks. Afterwards, gently wash the surrounding area with soap and water and cover with a sterile, dry and breathable dressing.

Corns and calluses
Corns and calluses are thick, tough layers of skin that form to protect skin tissue against friction and pressure. Calluses are larger and wider than corns and tend to form on the bottom of the foot. Corns are small and circular and usually appear on the top or the side of toes. Excessive friction or pressure — such as that caused by wearing overly tight shoes or putting on shoes without socks — can cause corns and calluses. They can be treated by being soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and scraped with a pumice stone. This removes dead skin. Over-the-counter creams can be beneficial as well.

The above foot conditions are generally easily treated with a simple combination of at-home care and a product or two from the pharmacy. For issues that persist, a visit to your doctor or podiatrist is recommended.