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Do you know how to look for the signs and symptoms of different foot ailments? Being familiar with the signs of foot problems can help you get a head start on proper treatment. Here is a quick primer on the symptoms for some common conditions, as well as information on available treatment options.

ATHLETE'S FOOT:
Symptoms … may include itching, burning, or stinging between the toes or on the soles; blisters; cracking, peeling, or thickened skin; odor; or thick, crumbly ragged nails. Mild conditions can be treated with topical over-the-counter medications. Prescription medications are available for severe cases.

TOENAIL FUNGAL INFECTION:
Symptoms … may include thickened, brittle, crumbly, ragged, distorted, dull, or discolored (yellow, green, brown, or black) nails. Topical over-the-counter treatments are available; however, they are not reliably effective. Effective oral medications are available with a doctor's prescription.

INGROWN TOENAILS:
Signs … include pain, tenderness, and redness; and swelling, or infected tissue along the side of the nail. Most ingrown toenails grow out on their own; however, a doctor can treat extremely painful cases by trimming or removing portions of the nail.

PLANTAR WARTS:
Symptoms … include growths on the sole of the foot that may look like calluses. These growths may appear to grow inward. Topical treatment with salicylic acid is usually successful. However, medication injections, cryotherapy, and surgery also are available.

CORNS or CALLUSES:
Signs … include thickened skin and pain or tenderness under dead or yellowed skin. After self-care options such as wearing comfortable shoes, using protective pads, or thinning thickened skin with a pumice stone have been tried, your doctor can reduce the corn or callus with a scalpel.

BUNIONS:
Signs … Misaligned big toe that creates a bulging bump at the base of the big toe, accompanied by soreness, redness, or swelling.
Treatments: Surgery is often recommended to correct the problem. Corrective footwear can relieve pain.

HAMMERTOES:
Signs … Toes will have a bent, claw-like appearance; may be accompanied by corns, calluses, or pain.
Treatments: Roomier footwear or orthotic foot padding may relieve pain. Surgery may be recommended in severe cases.

FLAT FEET:
Signs … Heel tilts away from midline of body; foot pain when walking, running, standing.
Treatments: Orthotic insoles or arch supports can relieve pain.

HIGH ARCHES:
Signs … Excessive elevation of heel-to-toe arch; foot pain associated with walking, sitting, standing.
Treatments: Corrective shoes or inserts may help relieve pain. Surgery may be necessary for severe cases.

HEEL PAIN:
Signs … Pain in the heel can be caused by plantar fascitis; bursitis; inflammation or injury of the Achilles tendon; or a bony spur.
Treatments: Treatments range from rest to over-the-counter pain relief to anti-inflammatory medications depending on diagnosis.

WARNING:
If you suspect you have a foot ailment, remember that self-treatment isn't always advisable and could make a problem worse. Foot pain also can be the result of underlying medical problems, such as arthritis, nerve or circulatory disorders, and stress fractures. If you experience chronic foot pain, see your healthcare provider soon.

CARE AND GROOMING:
Proper cleansing and grooming techniques can help reduce your risk of infections. Wash feet daily and be sure to dry them thoroughly. Moist skin is a welcome mat to fungus or other parasites. Also, change your socks more than once daily. Finally, be sure to trim your nails carefully, cutting straight across and not too close to the nail bed. Use clippers especially designed for this purpose.

SHOES AND SOCKS:
Properly fitting shoes are a must for good foot health. Be sure to have your feet measured regularly; they tend to grow a bit with age. Do not wear the same shoes every day, as this does not allow the shoe time to dry out between uses. Wear socks that absorb moisture, such as cotton or wool socks -- or choose socks made of moisture wicking fabric -- and always wash socks before wearing them again. When you exercise, be sure to wear athletic shoes designed for your sport and don't wear the shoes beyond their useful life.

PROFESSIONAL CARE (WHEN NECESSARY):
After you have done all you can to care for your feet, remember to get expert care, too. See your healthcare provider at the first sign of injury or infection. Also, don't ignore foot pain. It is not a normal part of growing older. Treating problems early could mean a shorter, easier course of treatment or could help you avoid more serious complications down the road.

It's true. Just like other parts of the body, feet benefit from regular exercise. However, some high-impact activities can be rough on feet. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends walking as one of the best forms of exercise for feet. Walking helps to exercise the muscles of the feet but is gentle on the feet, too. To begin your walking program, start out slowly, especially if you are exercising for the first time. Moderation is the key to getting your walking program off on the right foot. Over the course of several weeks, gradually build your speed and distance until you reach your target. (Most people should exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.)

Here are a few walking tips to protect your feet during your workout and also ensure that you are following good walking form:

• Land on the heel of your foot
  
• Roll forward, pushing off on the ball of your foot.
  
• Keep your head up, your stomach tucked in, and your back straight.
  
• Swing your arms at your sides to aid momentum and balance.
  
• Never walk barefoot.

Proper footwear is a must for walking or any other physical activity, so be sure to get the appropriate gear before you start your exercise program.

Shop around for the right shoe. Different physical activities may require different footwear, so be sure to choose a shoe that is designed with your chosen exercise in mind. For example, walking shoes have a different construction compared to running shoes, and the variation is designed to protect the portions of the foot that are stressed most during walking, such as the heel of the foot.

Ask your local athletic shoe store retailer or your podiatrist to recommend an appropriate style and fit. When you try on athletic shoes, be sure to wear the type of socks you plan to use during your workouts. (Moisture-absorbing socks are best, such as cotton or acrylic fibers that wick moisture away.) Also, test the comfort of the shoe by walking or jogging a few steps. Athletic shoes should feel comfortable right away.

The fit of your athletic shoes should be much like the fit you try to achieve with street shoes. Just be sure to keep a half-inch space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, and make certain that the shoe is wide enough to accommodate the ball of your foot. Have your feet measured regularly to ensure proper fit as your feet change with age.

Finally, pay close attention to the condition of your athletic shoes. They should be replaced about every 300 miles.

Getting a diagnosis and treatment for painful foot conditions can help prevent a problem from progressing into a more serious condition. Some foot problems, when allowed to progress, can end up affecting your gait, your musculoskeletal system, or your overall health.

ROUTINE CARE
Having a doctor check your feet should be a regular part of routine healthcare. Your doctor can examine the shape and condition of your feet and nails and use this information to rule out or diagnose many different medical conditions.

Be sure to get all of your questions answered when you visit your doctor with any special concerns. Bring a pad of paper and a pen and jot down important points. You also can bring a list of questions you would like to ask your doctor. Also, take notes on your foot symptoms and bring this information with you to your doctor's office. This may help speed diagnosis and treatment planning.

While you are at your doctor's office, be sure to ask about any signs and symptoms that you should be watching for when examining your own feet at home.

WHAT IS A PODIATRIST?
A podiatrist is a healthcare provider who specializes in the medical care of feet as well as medical care of the ankles and lower legs. They can provide diagnosis and treatment for conditions ranging from injuries to infections and deformities.

Podiatrists are required to have a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree and a state license for the practice of podiatric medicine. In addition to undergraduate education, doctors of podiatry must complete a 4-year program at a college of podiatric medicine, as well as a 1- to 3-year postdoctoral residency program.