Despite the fact that the skin on your feet is fifteen times thicker than elsewhere on the body, they are incredibly sensitive. This is because there are over 70.000 nerve endings in the feet.

Your feet deserve care and attention, after all they are amazingly hard working:

· In a lifetime the average person walks almost 60,000 miles

· In a lifetime the average person will stand for over 2,000 days

In the light of all this it is not surprising that feet are prone to a number of common problems, some of which are described below:

CORNS

Corns are one of the most common of all foot conditions. They  are usually caused by pressure from badly fitting footwear. The skin of the foot is compressed between the bone and the shoe, and this pressure makes the skin build up until it is hard and dead. When a corn presses down on a nerve, it causes pain. Hard corns are the most common and are generally found on the tops or tips of the toes. Corns, (like calluses) are easier to prevent than to treat. Wearing better fitting footwear is an important factor and the use of keratin dissolving medicaments can help to get rid of corns; these are usually in the form of a paste that dries on contact or a pad containing the medication that is applied to the area.

However, these products should be used carefully, as they can damage the surrounding, healthy skin if they come into contact with it.

CALLUS

A Callus is an area of skin that becomes abnormally thickened in response to repeated rubbing, or pressure, but unlike a corn, a callus does not have a central core. Calluses can form over any bone area, and commonly are found on the ball of the foot. Calluses can give rise to a burning sensation on the soles of the feet due to the hard skin pressing on the nerves.

BUNION

Bunion (Hallux Valgus) A bunion is a deformity of the big toe joint, which can cause pain, and make finding suitable footwear and walking difficult.

VERRUCAS

Verrucas are warts on the feet (plantar warts) caused by a virus.

If not treated they can multiply rapidly or grow lager. They mostly occur on the sole where they are usually flattened by the pressure of walking and are surrounded by thickened skin, but they can occur elsewhere on the foot. Plantar warts can be difficult to eradicate.

CHILBLAINS

Chilblains are caused by small blood vessels constricting in the cold. When the affected areas are re-warmed it causes tingling and an itching sensation. The area is also often inflamed or swollen.

TOENAILS

In-growing toenails the corners and edges of toenails may break the skin surrounding the nail. In–growing toenails may be caused by injury to the toe as a result of being stepped on or squeezed by ill-fitting shoes, or the nail may have been trimmed in a manner that creates a sharp spur at the corner that pierces the skin as the nail grows. Once the skin is broken, infection may enter and cause swelling which embeds the in-growing nail even further. The affected toe becomes red, painful and tender to the touch. Always trim toe nails straight across.

ATHLETE´S FOOT

Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet. It is very common, especially among males. In the early stages it causes red, dry, scaly tissue on the soles and /or sides of the feet, or in between the toes of the feet. Secondary infection may occur if the primary fungal infection is not treated early. Poorly ventilated footwear encourages the skin of the feet to sweat and this makes the skin soft and open to attack by fungi. The tiny fungus causing athlete’s foot is usually caught by people walking barefoot in communal baths and changing rooms where fragments of the fungus, shed from the foot of an infected person are picked up by others. Regular, thorough washing with soap and water followed by careful and thorough drying is essential to prevent the spread of this organism.

FLAT FEET

Flat feet ( pes planes) -  All babies and infants have flat feet and during the first few years of life the arches of the feet slowly develop. When flat feet occur in an adult it is sometimes due to the weakening of the muscles and tendons that make up the arches of the foot.