About 75% of U.S. citizens will experience acute foot pain at some point in their lives. Some culprits, like ill-fitting shoes, are highly common and pain typically subsides within a few days of wearing different shoes that provide proper support. However, persistent pain in the feet can signal a serious problem that requires immediate medical attention.
Keep on reading to discover the five possible reasons for pain in your feet and how to treat them.
1. Blisters and calluses
Calluses are hardened skin areas that form due to repeated friction or pressure. Blisters develop for a similar reason, except they are raised portions of the skin that are filled with fluid. Both calluses and blisters typically appear after your feet rub against your shoes. Luckily, both of these conditions aren’t dangerous and typically subside on their own. Avoid trying to pop a blister without professional help. Instead, try covering it with a gauze or a band-aid to protect it from damage while it heals. Moisturizing with salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate and soaking your feet in warm water can help soften and remove dead skin from calluses.
2. Plantar fasciitis
Your plantar fascia is a thick fibrous ligament that connects the front of your foot to the heel. It helps your feet absorb shock and supports its arches when you walk. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this ligament becomes inflamed due to wear and tear, or injury. Plantar fasciitis pain typically appears in the bottom of the heels and develops over time. This pain can be dull, sharp, or burning. It usually gets worse after vigorous activity or after resting. If you’re a long-distance runner, have high heels, or flat feet, you’re at higher risk of developing this condition. Sometimes, easing the pain with cold compresses and reducing inflammation with OTC medicines might help. However, if conservative treatments fail to provide results, consult a foot doctor about available treatment options. These may include physical therapy, surgery, and steroid injections.
3. Ingrown toenails
An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin next to it. At the early stage, the skin around the nail will become hardened, swollen, and tender. Your toe can become painful to the touch and may start to accumulate fluid. If infected, your toe may get swollen, red, painful, and may start oozing pus. Persisting infection can affect your bones. Severe toenail infection must be evaluated and treated by a specialist. They will remove the part of the nail that is cutting into your skin and advise on how to prevent ingrown toenails from recurring.
4. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when your bones start to lose their protective cartilage. This typically results from excessive physical activity. Osteoarthritis not only leads to acute and persistent pain but also causes immobility. While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, you can manage its symptoms by undergoing physical therapy and living a more healthy and active lifestyle. However, if the pain is severe and gets worse with time, undergoing surgery may be necessary.
5. Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma occurs when the small tissues that surround the nerves in your toes get thicker. It leads to burning pain starting in the ball of your foot and radiating to your toes, causing them to feel numb or tingle. Morton’s neuroma typically occurs due to wearing shoes that are too narrow and cause pressure on the nerves in your feet. If after changing your footwear or avoiding the strenuous activities your pain doesn't subside, consider reaching out to a foot doctor. They can recommend corticosteroid or anti-inflammatories injections to numb the affected nerve. In severe cases, your specialist may recommend surgical treatment.
