Hiking is a fun, safe, and healthy activity when proper precautions are taken. Here are some tips to help prevent foot injuries while out on the trails. Tips for Preventing Hiking Foot Injuries Try not to overpack. Take only what is necessary, as this can help take the pressure off your feet. Make sure to wear…

Problems with the feet can indicate serious health conditions in different parts of the body. Muscle spasms, also known as “charley horses,” in the feet may indicate that you are dehydrated. If a spasm occurs while walking, it may be a sign of a circulatory issue. Gout, a form of arthritis, can cause the joints…

There are several systemic diseases, or diseases that affect the whole body, that either display symptoms in the feet or affect the health of the feet. Common systemic diseases that affect the overall health of the feet, and the patient’s ability to walk comfortably, include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis, among others. Gout…

Typically, running shoes are made with considerably heavier cushioning than walking shoes. Fitness walkers have different needs than runners, as walking has much less impact on the feet. Find a Show That Fits Your Needs There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It…

Both running and walking are great exercises, but should a person wear the same shoes for both activities? The answer is no, because there is a difference between the way a person’s feet hit the ground when they are walking and when they are running. Therefore, the shoes for each activity are designed differently. Before…

When the human papillomavirus enters through cuts in skin on the bottom of the foot, it can cause plantar warts. The wart may cause the skin to become thick and deformed, resulting in pain; this may make it difficult to walk. The virus is commonly acquired in warm and moist places, including shower floors and…

Plantar warts are warts that are only found on the feet, hence the term “plantar”, which means “relating to the foot.” They are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, and occur when this virus gets into open wounds on the feet. The warts themselves are hard bumps on the foot. They are easily recognizable,…

A common cause of heel spurs may be plantar fasciitis, and is often described by patients as a “stone bruise”. It’s generally painful, and can typically be worse in the morning. There may be other causes of the pain, including nerve entrapment or tumors which need to be ruled out by a podiatrist. Wearing high…

If you have a hard, thickened area of skin on the foot you may possibly have a corn. This condition comes from rubbing, which puts pressure on the skin. Corns form on the feet, which may make walking difficult and painful. There are a few different types of corns: Soft corns — which typically develops…

An imbalance in either the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the foot that keep the toes straight can cause hammertoe or mallet toe. Causes of this imbalance can stem from improperly-fitted shoes, trauma, and even foot structure. An abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe is called hammertoe. When the joint nearest to the toenail…