Warts are caused by a virus that penetrates the skin, forming a raised, fleshy bump. They can crop up on any part of the skin, including the feet. Some warts go away on their own without treatment; others recur, grow in size, or spread to form clusters of warts. In general, warts are not harmful […]

Ulcers are persistent wounds or sores that do not heal properly or become chronic. Ulcers on the feet occur mainly due to reduced nerve sensation, poor circulation, vein dysfunction, and constant pressure to a particular spot. Diabetics are prone to foot ulcers. Ulcers may or may not cause pain and can be accompanied by swelling, […]

Edema is the swelling of one or both feet, ankles, and/ or legs due to fluid accumulation. It can occur as a result of various medical conditions and is fairly common, particularly in the elderly who may suffer from weakened circulatory systems or diseases. In some cases, the swelling can indicate a serious medical problem […]

Skin allergies occur when the skin becomes inflamed and irritated from exposure to or contact with a particular substance. The two types of contact dermatitis, or skin allergies, are irritant dermatitis, which is caused by a non-allergic reaction to an irritating substance, and allergic dermatitis, which is caused by an allergic reaction or sensitivity developing […]

Psoriasis is a skin condition that can appear on the legs and feet, as well as other body parts. It is a chronic disease of the immune system wherein new skin cells surface too rapidly, causing inflamed, flaky, thick patches of skin buildup. Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of thickened skin patches with white, […]

A skin lesion is a variation on the skin’s surface, where the affected area is a different color or texture from the surrounding skin. Skin lesions can appear on any part of the body, including the legs and feet, and may be present at birth or develop over time due to conditions such as acne, […]

Gangrene, or dead body tissue, occurs when blood flow and oxygen are cut off or severely restricted. Gangrene can result from bacterial infections deep frostbite, or open sores that do not heal properly. Those with weakened circulatory systems and nerve damage, such as diabetics, are more prone to foot gangrene. Gangrene is characterized by acute, […]

When outdoor temperatures drop to near or below freezing, frostbite can occur after exposure to cold conditions for an extended amount of time. Frostbite can involve damage to the skin, tissue, and even underlying nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones in more severe cases. The body reacts to exposure to cold by constricting its blood vessels, […]

Since the feet have over 250,000 sweat glands, problems with foot odor are quite common. The condition of smelly feet can arise from sweaty feet due to the accumulation of bacteria that feed off of the sweat. Since feet sweat are prone to sweating, shoes and socks are a dark, damp environment that serve as […]

Corns form on the toes due to friction or pressure from rubbing against footwear or even other toes. The friction and pressure thickens the skin and inflames underlying tissue. Corns can be soft; these are open sores between the toes. Hard corns develop on top of the toes or on the outside of the little […]