Are your feet less than perfect? Maybe they’re cracked, swollen, discolored, bent or bumpy? Below are 4 common causes of ugly feet and suggestions on how to fix these foot problems, so you don’t have to continue hiding your ugly feet in your shoes.
Athlete’s Foot
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Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus called tinea pedis. It is contagious and can be spread by walking on contaminated floors or using tainted towels or clothing. Sweaty socks worn in tight-fitting shoes are often a culprit since the fungus likes dark, warm, moist places to grow. Signs and symptoms include an itching, burning, scaly rash on the bottom of your foot and in between your toes. In serious cases, you may develop blisters.
The fix: Try over-the-counter antifungal medications like Lotrisone or Tinactin twice a day. Soothe burning, itching feet by soaking them in warm water. If your athlete’s foot doesn’t get better, see your doctor. You may need a prescription-strength antifungal cream, or you may need to take an antifungal medication by mouth.
Bunion
Photo credit: 123RF / Naiyana Boonyakiat
A bunion is a large, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. As your big toe is pushed against your second toe, your big toe joint sticks out and gets bigger. Bunions are mainly genetic due to an inherited structural defect. But they can also be caused by a medical condition like arthritis or from wearing shoes that are too narrow and tight. Signs and symptoms of a bunion may include swelling, redness or pain around your big toe joint. You may also have restricted movement of your big toe.
The fix: A toe spacer placed between your big toe and second toe may help to re-position the big toe. Pain and pressure can be alleviated by wearing wider, more comfortable shoes. A custom orthotic like the ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotic can help to redistribute pressure evenly across your feet, reducing your symptoms and preventing the bunion from getting worse. If your pain is severe, or you cannot move your toe, your doctor may recommend surgery to cut the bones and shift them into the correct position.
Hammertoe
Photo credit: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Hammertoe is a contracture or bending deformity of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes. This condition makes your joints look like they’re sticking up. Causes of hammertoe include trauma to the toe; an imbalance of the toe muscles causing the toe to contract; or high-heeled shoes or too-tight footwear that crowd your toes so they can’t lie flat. Symptoms include inflammation, redness or a burning sensation to the toe; pain when wearing shoes; and corns and calluses on the toe, between two toes or on the ball of your foot.
The fix: Your doctor may recommend exercises to stretch and strengthen your toe muscles. Your doctor may also suggest that you wear shoes with a deeper toe box to avoid pressure on the tops of your toes. A custom orthotic like the ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotic can help to reposition your toe while relieving pain and pressure. If these treatments don’t help, surgery may be required to release the tendon in your toe, or to remove a piece of bone to straighten your toe.
Photo credit: 123RF / lightwise
Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a fungal infection that gets in through cracks in your nail or cuts in your skin. It causes your toenails to change color; get thicker; or become warped or oddly shaped. Your toenail may even loosen and separate from the bed.
The fix: Toenail fungus can be hard to treat since it’s in the skin under your nail. Most topical medications can’t penetrate through the nail. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication to take by mouth. Laser treatments can painlessly kill the fungus in the nail, however, these are often not covered by insurance. In some cases, you may require surgery to remove the nail completely.
ezWalker® Custom Orthotics Can Help Alleviate Ugly Feet Foot Pain
If you suffer from ugly feet conditions like bunions, hammertoes, corns, or calluses, custom orthotics, like the ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics, can help relieve, and in some cases, eliminate pain while reducing symptoms of your ugly feet condition. ezWalker® Custom Orthotics strategically support your arches, helping to relieve pressure on the ball of your foot. The bio-mechanical design of these orthotics enhance your foot’s position by supporting the hind foot, so it realigns the forefoot during the propulsion phase of the gait cycle. This redistributes pressure as you walk and helps to prevent the worsening of the ugly feet condition.
For more information about WalkEZStore custom orthotics, visit www.WalkEZStore.com. To order your pair of ezWalker® Custom Fit Orthotics, visit our online store.
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
