Toe Problems – What Causing Them

As our feet are continuously at risk of damage from walking, jogging, and other physical activities, toe troubles are very common. Ingrown toenails, bunions, wounds, scrapes, various injuries, blisters, corns, and calluses are some of the most typical conditions of toe issues. Other conditions affecting the toes include infections and arthritis.

Athlete’s Foot

The regions between the toes are frequently affected by athlete’s foot, which is brought on by a fungus that prefers warm, dark and wet places. It might irritate the skin and result in a rash that is white and scaly. Athlete’s feet can also exhibit other symptoms, including irritation, burning, cracking, and occasionally a faint stench.

Calluses and Corns

Due to repeated rubbing of the shoe insides on a bony part of the foot, corns and calluses develop. While calluses often develop on the soles of the feet, corns can emerge on the top, sides, and in between the toes as well. Walking can be difficult and uncomfortable with these conditions.

Claw Toes and Hammertoes

A claw toe looks curled or claw-like because of the way it curves upward. A hammertoe occurs when your toe (usually the second one) is bent in the center of either the toe joint, crossed, or just pointed in an unusual direction. Hammertoes are often caused by ill-fitted shoes.

Fungus

Nails might seem discolored, unsightly and misshapen due to toenail fungus.

Gout

Uric acid accumulates in the joint fluid and tissues when the body’s system fails to control uric acid levels, leading to gout, a form of arthritis.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be avoided with careful toenail trimming.  The edges or sides of the nail might scrape into the skin if you don’t trim them straight, resulting in discomfort and possibly an infection.

Bunions

A bony growth at the ball of the big toe joint is known as a bunion. The big toe turns inward towards the smaller toes as a result. This is not necessarily painful. However, it can adversely affect the same of the rest of your toes.

Arthritis

Toe discomfort that takes hours or days to go away is one of the typical signs of toe arthritis. Your toe joints become red, swollen and inflamed.

Regularly visiting your podiatrist and getting your feet checked can prevent many of the abovementioned and other conditions as well. Call the friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.