Corns and calluses

Painful areas on the feet can be a great source of misery, making walking uncomfortable. Sufferers are often reluctant to take regular exercise.

Among the most common causes of sore feet are calluses and corns. These are raised areas of local thickening of the surface layer of the skin. This layer is known as the keratin layer. When it becomes thickened the condition is known as hyperkeratosis.

Calluses and corns are usually found in places where there is friction or pressure. They are usually the result of badly fitting shoes, but can also occur if your feet are abnormally shaped. They are sometimes found on other parts of the body where friction occurs, for example, on the fingers of guitar players.

Calluses are bigger than corns and are usually found on the bottom (sole) of the foot, either around the heel or around the front of the foot at the base of the first and fourth toes — places where pressure occurs.

Corns are smaller and often have a central core, or ‘plug’, of keratin, which can be seen. The top of the fifth toe (where it gets squashed by tight shoes) is the most common site for a corn. Sometimes they are found between the toes, where they can be extremely painful.

Treatment of corns and calluses

The best way to treat corns and calluses is to remove the hard keratin on a regular basis. This can be done by ‘shaving’ with a sharp, preferably sterile, blade. This is best done by a doctor or podiatrist. For those who prefer the do-it-yourself approach, a pumice stone can be used to do the job. Various preparations are available to help soften the areas of hyperkeratosis. These usually contain salicylic acid, which is present in corn plasters.

Although the discomfort of calluses and corns is often easily fixed, the problem will inevitably come back if the underlying problem, usually wearing the wrong pair of shoes, is not corrected. If changing shoes does not help, seeing a podiatrist may be helpful.

Children’s feet are not the same as adults’ feet. Babies' and toddlers' feet are soft and pliable because the bones are not yet completely formed. This means their feet can be more easily damaged than the feet of older children e.g. by shoes that are too tight. Here are some tips for taking care of your child’s feet.

Shoes and socks

Toddlers do not need shoes indoors when they first start to walk. Letting them go barefoot or wearing socks alone helps their feet   grow normally and encourages their toes to develop a grasping action.

• Feet grow rapidly during childhood. Check that your child’s shoes fit properly every one to 3 months up to the age of 3 years, every 4 months between 3 and 5 years and every 6 months for children aged over 5.
• Make sure children wear fresh cotton socks daily and that they air their shoes overnight — this can help reduce skin problems.

• When choosing shoes for children, there should be about 1 cm ‘growing room’ between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The shoe should also fit the foot’s natural shape, especially around the toes.

• Always have both of your child’s feet measured for length and width. Note that a child's left and right foot are unlikely to be exactly the same size.

• Never "hand down" shoes from one child to another.

• Uneven wear and tear on the heel of a shoe may indicate a foot problem that should be checked with a doctor or podiatrist.

Walking problems

• Flat feet are common in children, but are not necessarily a problem. Arch development will likely stabilise by the age of 6 or 7 years. However, take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if flat feet are causing pain or affecting your child’s walking or other activities.

• Most toddlers who walk with their feet pointed inwards (in-toeing or "pigeon toes") or with their feet pointed outwards (out-toeing) and those who appear to have bow legs, will be walking normally by the time they are 2. Take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if these walking patterns persist beyond the age of 2 or you are worried.

• Children walking on their toes can also be just a phase, but the Australasian Podiatry Council says it is "not normal" and recommends review by a podiatrist.

• Knock knees are normal in children aged 2 to 7 years. If the condition causes the foot to roll or be painful, orthoses (orthotics) may be advised.

• Signs that your child may have a problem needing investigation include frequent tripping and falling, withdrawing from sport and recreation, or lagging well behind other children during sport and play.

Athlete's foot is a common infection caused by a fungus. It most often affects the space between the toes. Symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, scaly skin between your toes.

You can get athlete's foot from damp surfaces, such as showers, swimming pools, and locker room floors. To prevent it

• Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool
• Wear clean socks
• Don't walk barefoot in public areas
• Wear flip-flops in locker room showers
• Keep your toenails clean and clipped short

Treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams for most cases and prescription medicines for more serious infections. These usually clear up the infection, but it can come back.

Each step you take involves a complex network of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This, combined with all of the weight they carry, explains why feet can have problems. To keep your feet healthy

• Examine your feet regularly
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit
• Wash your feet daily with soap and lukewarm water
• Trim your toenails straight across and not too short

Your foot health can be a clue to your overall health. For example, joint stiffness could mean arthritis. Tingling or numbness could be a sign of diabetes. Swelling might indicate kidney disease, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

Good foot care and regular foot checks are an important part of your health care. If you have foot problems, be sure to talk to your doctor.

A simple wet test can tell you if you have flat or high arches, and how to choose your running shoes accordingly.

Fungal and Bacterial Conditions, including athlete's foot, occur because our feet spend a lot of time in shoes - a warm, dark, humid place that is perfect for fungus to grow. Fungal and bacterial conditions can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and peeling.

Your feet are two of the most abused and often used parts of the body, what with all the walking and running that you do everyday. This being said, you should make sure to give your feet the attention and care they deserve every so often.

Flat feet is also know as pes planus, adult acquired flat foot deformity, progressive flat foot deformity, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), flat foot, splay foot, fallen arches (loss of medial longitudinal arch of foot).