Amelia Grant

Numerous conditions can severely damage your feet. Many of us frequently seek medical care and receive treatment when we are in excruciating pain or suffering. However, some of us also opt to ignore or try ineffective home remedies for painless or minor problems. Even if your corns or bunions don't cause you much pain or discomfort, don't ignore the issue, and visit a reputable podiatry center to stop them from getting worse. 

Here are the five minor foot problems that might eventually progress into serious conditions and cause irreversible damage.

1. Bunions

A bunion is a bony growth that develops when the toe joint gets misaligned and shifts out of position. Despite the fact that bunions can run in families, there are several risk factors you should still avoid to prevent them from developing or worsening. Your toes are more likely to move and develop bunions if you choose to wear high-heeled shoes or footwear with tiny toe boxes.

Bunions often develop in your big toes, although they can also form in your pinky toes. A bunion may first manifest without any symptoms or with relatively little pain. But as it progresses, a bunion may cause excruciating discomfort and even make it impossible to walk normally.

2. Ingrown toenails 

A toenail gets ingrown when it begins to grow downward and starts piercing the surrounding skin. Il-fitting footwear, a unique toenail shape, poor toenail care, or an existing injury can all contribute to the development of ingrown toenails.

An ingrown toenail may not initially exhibit any noticeable symptoms, and you might not even be aware of it. However, when it progresses further, it may cause excruciating discomfort. Furthermore, an untreated ingrown toenail can cause infection in the skin and underlying tissues.

3. Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses typically form on the skin that’s being constantly rubbed and irritated. These growths stem from dead skin cells to safeguard the delicate regions of your skin. Different body areas can develop corns and calluses, however, your feet are more prone to it.

It can appear that corns and calluses are harmless and easy to get rid of using a pumice stone. However, these growths on your skin can develop infected and cause excruciating discomfort. Furthermore, it is preferable to seek medical attention rather than self-treating if you're diabetic or have problems with blood flow.

4. Fungal infection

A skin disease called a fungal infection is brought on by an overgrowth of fungus. Although it can affect other parts of your body, the athlete's foot most frequently affects the feet. Symptoms that be brought on by a fungal infection on your feet include:

- Red, swollen, and itching skin

- Blisters

- Smelly feet

Athlete's foot can progress and fungus can spread to other body areas if it is not addressed. For instance, the fungus can cause discoloration, thickening, and detachment from the nail bed in your toenails.

5. Plantar warts

An infectious condition known as plant warts causes warts to appear on the bottom of the foot. These warts are brought on by certain papillomavirus strains. Skin-to-skin contact is an effective way to spread them, particularly if you have sores or cracks on your skin.

Plantar warts typically make walking painful and uncomfortable. Hence, it is crucial to address them right away. Use over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to get rid of plantar warts, or speak with your doctor about laser therapy and other available treatments.

The bottom line

It is crucial to realize that any potentially serious symptoms you might have should be evaluated by an experienced doctor. Even while they may appear insignificant at first, they might eventually lead to a great deal of pain and suffering. To keep your feet healthy for years to come, make sure to receive timely and appropriate treatment.