A guide to the body part you walk all over

Agony of the feet, according to a survey by the American podiatric medical association more than 50 percent of women have foot pain that get in the way of everyday life ….and of course not attractive enough It grows on you aka bunions

• A bony lump on the outer edge of your big toe.

Happens when

the lowest joint becomes misaligned, causing the end of the bone to jut out.

Though pointy heel that squash your toes can make bunions more painful, shoes are not the cause …more crucial factors are the shape of your feet and the way you walk.

What to do?

Buy foot wear made of stretchy material such as leather, that will conform to the curves of your foot .

Using custom insoles which any podiatrist can provide, may prevent bunions from worsening, but surgery s the only real cure. its not recommended unless the pain is severe you cant function normally.

Most procedures involve shaving down the bone and realigning the toe with a pin or a screw which leaves you hobbling around for months or two.

• Rubbed the wrong way aka corns and calluses

Looks like raised layers of thick, dead skin .on the tops of your toes they are called corns on the bottom or sides of your feet they are known as calluses.

Happens when

There is too much pressure or friction on the feet, often due to ill fitting shoes or a deformity like a hammer toe

What to do

Once or twice a week ,in the shower gently rub the area with a pumice stone until the skin begins to turn pink. follow with a cream designed to soften calloused skin to soften up. if the layers are really thick ,have a podiatrist shave them down(because there is a risk of infection stay away from the nail salon for this).

• Heels on heels aka plantar fascitis

Feels like a stabbing or burning pain in your heel that often worse in the morning

Happens when

The plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, becomes inflamed. This can be triggered by the strain of having exceptionally flat or high arches, standing or walking all day long, being over weight or doing intense physical activities.

What to do

Try arch supports or custom insoles to take stress off the plantar fascia and a topical gel called biofreeze. If you are really in agony, ultra sound therapy and shock wave therapy can speed healing. There is also a new minimally invasive surgery called an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy In which a surgeon makes tiny snip into the plantar fascia to release the tense tissue.

• Curved feet aka hammertoes

Looks like the joint of one of your toes (usually the second ) points upward instead of lying flat

Happens when

A bunion ,flat or high arches, or too narrow shoes cause your big toe to butt up against the second toe putting pressure on the digit and causing it to contract

What to do

Budin –splint a flat foamy pad with an elastic loop that goes under the ball of your foot and wraps around the hammertoe can reduce pressure and friction from shoes. A podiatrist Can also give you cortisone shots to tame the pain, if you tried those options and are still desperate, surgery offers permanent relief. A small piece of bone on one or both sides of the joint is removed so the toe can un curl and a pin is sometimes left in for a few weeks to keep it in place

• In a pinch aka neuroma

Feels like tingling, burningor numbness in your foot. it may make you feel as if you are walking on a pebble.

Happens when

The bones of two toes usually the third and fourth ones rub against one another, pinching the nerve in between .too narrow shoes are often to blame

What to do

Most experts recommend cortisone injections. if your foot still killing you, surgery can cut out the squashed nerve.