Common and uncommon foot issues

Why do my feet hurt?

Your feet are an integral part of your everyday life, and they experience a lot of wear and tear. In fact, it’s estimated that you’ll likely have walked 75,000 miles by age 50.

Because of all this use, chances are you’ll develop a foot problem or two throughout your life.

Athlete’s foot, a more common foot ailment

Itchy, stinging, and burning feet and toes may be signs of athlete’s foot. This contagious condition appears after you make contact with fungus, usually in wet environments such as locker rooms, public showers, and swimming pools.

You may also experience foot blisters, crumbly toenails, and cracked, dry, and raw skin on your feet.

The condition can sometimes be difficult to treat. Start with an over-the-counter (OTC) product. You may need a doctor’s prescription to clear up severe athlete’s foot. Learn more about athlete’s foot.

Gout, a less common foot problem

Gout is a condition that often affects your feet, especially in the big toe, because of too much uric acid in your body. The affected area may feel very painful. Some describe the pain as feeling like your foot is on fire.

This condition occurs in many forms and in four stages. You may experience gout that comes and goes or develop more chronic gout over time that damages your joints.

Gout can be aggravated for many reasons, such as from eating certain foods, and occurs most commonly in men between 40 and 50 years old and in postmenopausal women.

Your doctor should treat gout and may recommend healthy lifestyle habits to manage symptoms.

Causes of gout

Gout is a complex disease. There are a variety of factors that can play a role in causing it. Certain conditions, such as blood and metabolism disorders, can cause your body to produce too much uric acid. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to excess uric acid.

Some foods can also cause gout when you eat too much of them. These include:

  • shellfish
  • red meat
  • organ meat
  • sweet juices
  • salt

You can also develop gout if your body isn’t eliminating uric acid properly. If you’re dehydrated or starved, it can make it difficult for your body to excrete uric acid. This causes it to build up as deposits in your joints.

Contact our offices Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates and schedule an appointment today.

To learn more about Athlete’s Foot or Gout and your feet, go to Heel Pain Institute of America or Laurel Foot & Ankle Center or Northern Foot & Ankle Associates.

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