Symptoms

Corns and calluses

• Rough, small patch of skin.
• Commonly on the big toe and fifth toe.
• May be painful when standing or walking.

Achilles tendonitis

• Mild pain after exercise that gradually worsens.
• Pain along the tendon during or after exercise.
• Some swelling.
• Tenderness when you wake up.

Bunions

• First joint of the big toe may slant outward. The second joint may slant toward the other toes.
• The skin over the big toe can become swollen and painful.

Hammertoes

• Toe looks like a claw.
• Pain and difficulty moving the toe, irritated by tight shoes.
• Corns and calluses from rubbing of the toe against shoes.

Heel pain

• Often affects runners and other athletes.
• Pain below or behind the heel.

Morton's neuroma

• Burning pain in the ball of the foot extending into your toes.
• Pain worsens as you walk or when you wear tight shoes.
• Numbness in your toes.

Plantar warts

• Look like corns.
• Raised, painful sores, often on the sole of the foot.
• May cause severe pain when walking.

Stress fractures

• A specific painful spot gets worse when you put pressure on it.
• Pain getting worse.
• Pain is better after rest but increases with activity.
• Sometimes skin may be tender.
• Sometimes swelling may occur.

Plantar fasciitis

• A sharp pain on the bottom of the heel when you put weight on it.
• An intense pain that worsens with the first few steps after awakening.
• Heel pain after standing a long time.
• Heel pain after exercise.
• Heel swelling.

Nail fungus

• Nails thicken and become yellow or brownish or become white, thick and brittle, may cause pain during walking.

Athlete's foot

• Blisters.
• Itching, stinging and burning between toes and on the soles.
• Nails that are thick, crumbly, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed.
• Thick and cracking skin.
• Foul smell.

More on Foot Problems

In the Encyclopedia:

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.