The skin on your feet is susceptible to damage from several sources that we can put into five main categories. Within these categories lie many common foot problems that we treat every day here at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists in Montgomery, Alabama.

1. Infectious organisms. These viruses, bacteria, and fungi invade the skin or toenails and cause an infection. For example, a fungal infection in your toenails may cause cracked, crumbling, and/or yellowed nails that can be difficult to treat. The same fungus can attack your skin in the form of athlete’s foot, causing it to become cracked and raw. Another type of infection, a bacterial infection, may cause foot odor or red-streaked skin. Finally, plantar warts are a good example of what can happen when a virus enters the skin. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, passes through a cut or scrape on the bottom of your foot, causing a wart to form.
2. Blisters, corns, and calluses are the most common symptoms of skin irritation on the feet. Anything that causes repeated friction can cause these skin reactions, but the most common suspects are ill-fitting shoes and socks that rub skin the wrong way.
3. Accidents, crush injuries, and walking barefoot can cause cuts, scrapes, or puncture wounds. Deep bruises (contusions) that turn the skin black and blue should be examined by a podiatrist to make sure you haven’t fractured a foot bone.
4. Allergic reactions to outside sources such as detergents, soaps, or chemicals can cause a skin rash or burn.
5. Systemic diseases such as psoriasis can also affect the feet. The effects of diabetes on the nerves and blood vessels in your feet can turn any skin lesion into a major threat.

In short, there are many sources of skin problems that affect your feet. For professional treatment of all these and more, contact our expert foot doctors, Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts, at our office in Montgomery at (334) 396-3668 or make an appointment online.