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Common Foot Problems

Trauma, infection, skin disease, and even simply bearing weight on the feet can cause changes on the skin of the feet, including the toes and heel.

Corns and calluses are an area of thickened skin caused by friction and pressure. Juvenile plantar dermatosis occurs in children on the sole of the front part of the foot and on the toes.

Foot infections include warts; the common disease athlete's foot (tinea pedis), which is caused by a foot fungus that thrives in warm, humid conditions; and a bacterial infection called pitted keratolysis, which is also associated with warm, damp feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a viral infection causing blisters of not only the feet but also the palms and mouth. Information on toenail fungus can be found on our Nails information page.

Skin diseases that affect the foot include dyshidrotic eczema, which is associated with tiny, itchy blisters of the palms, fingers, instep of the foot, or the toes. These blisters then turn into peeling, cracking, or crusting areas. Gout is a form of arthritis, which is the inflammation of a joint. Gout most commonly affects the big toe joint, and it typically starts as an acute attack with severe pain and swelling in the joint.

Click any of the images below to see self-care information and pictures of foot fungus, foot infections, and other foot injuries.

Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) Tinea pedis, also known as ringworm of the foot or athlete's foot, is a surface (superficial) fungal infection of the skin of the foot. The most common fungal disease in humans, athlete's…

Plantar Wart Warts are growths of the skin and mucous membranes (the mouth or genitals) that are caused by over 100 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus causes thickening of the top skin layer. A plantar wart occurs…

Callus A callus (tyloma) is a thickening of the skin that occurs in response to excessive, repeated shear or friction forces, commonly due to constant rubbing of the skin.

Gout Gout, also called gouty arthritis, is a disease of how the body processes nutrients (metabolism) in which crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints, tendons, and skin. Most commonly affecting men, gout…

Pitted Keratolysis Pitted keratolysis is a skin condition affecting the soles of the feet and, less commonly, the palms of the hands. It is caused by a bacterial infection of the skin and may give off an unpleasant odor.

Dyshidrotic Eczema (Dyshidrotic Dermatitis) Dyshidrotic eczema (dyshidrotic dermatitis) is generally defined as a rash limited to the hands (usually the palms and sides of the fingers) and sometimes the feet. Dyshidrotic eczema manifests as small…

Psoriasis Psoriasis is a non-contagious, lifelong skin problem with thickened red, and often scaly, skin. It is very likely to run in families (hereditary) and seems to be caused by…

Corn Corns are thickenings of the skin composed of keratin that are typically found on the toes caused by repeated friction or pressure to the area. The base of the corn is seen on the surface of the skin while the top points…