Foot Problems: Causes of Growths, Pain, and New Symptoms (2025)

Table of Contents
Nondiabetic Foot Problems: From Minor to Complicated Diseases 1. Foot Odor (Bromodosis) 2. Toe Jam (Toe Cheese) 3. Friction Blisters (Vesicles/Bullae) 4. Plantar Calluses (Hyperkeratosis) 5. Cracked Heels (Heel Fissures) 6. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) 7. Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis) 8. Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis) 9. Foot Corn (Callus) 10. Bunions (Hallux Valgus) 11. Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette) 12. Plantar Warts (Verrucae Plantaris) 13. Flat Feet (Pes Planus) 14. Plantar Fasciitis (Sharp Heel Pain) 15. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Tingling/Burning Under the Ankle) 16. Morton's Neuroma (Forefoot Nerve Pain) 17. Heel Spurs (Calcaneal Spur) 18. Hammertoe 19. Sesamoiditis 20. Metatarsalgia (Forefoot Pain) 21. Chilblains (Chill-Induced Sores) 22. Trench Foot (Immersion Foot Syndrome) 23. Pitted Keratolysis (Sweaty Sock Syndrome) 24. Gout (Uric Crystal Buildup in Toe Joints) 25. Turf Toe (Metatarsophalangeal Joint Sprain) 26. Stiff Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus) 27. Claw Toe 28. Lisfranc (Midfoot) Injury 29. Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus) 30. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) 31. Peroneal Tendonitis 32. Stress Fractures ("Hairline" Bone Cracks) 33. Nondiabetic Charcot Foot Diabetes-Related Foot Problems 1. Diabetic Foot Syndrome ("Diabetic Foot") 2. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage in the Feet) 3. Peripheral Artery Disease (Poor Circulation in the Legs/Feet) 4. Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis (Foot Bone Infection) 5. Infectious Foot Gangrene (Foot Tissue Necrosis/Death) 6. Nonhealing Foot Ulcers (Foot Sores That Don't Heal) 7. Lower-Extremity Amputation (Foot Removal Surgery) Causes of Pain on Different Parts of Foot Occupational Hazard: Job-Related Foot Problems Recurring and Chronic Complications When Symptoms Warrant a Provider Visit How to Initiate Treatment for Foot Problems Summary References

Foot problems run the gamut from blisters caused by wearing the wrong shoes to nonhealing foot ulcers caused by diabetes. Some foot problems are triggered by overuse and standing all day on the job, whereas others are linked to fungal or viral infections that cause unwanted growths.

Foot Problems: Causes of Growths, Pain, and New Symptoms (1)

Nondiabetic Foot Problems: From Minor to Complicated Diseases

1. Foot Odor (Bromodosis)

Foot odor flourishes inside enclosed footwear. Going sockless when wearing shoes, wearing dirty socks, or wearing the same pair of unbreathable shoes for long periods exacerbates bromodosis (aka "stinky feet").

2. Toe Jam (Toe Cheese)

Toe jam, or toe cheese, refers to the accumulation of dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris in the interdigital spaces between the toes.

3. Friction Blisters (Vesicles/Bullae)

Blisters are small, fluid-filled sacs that form on the skin due to friction, often at a pressure point inside an ill-fitting shoe. Small blisters are called vesicles; bigger ones are called bullae.

4. Plantar Calluses (Hyperkeratosis)

Calluses are hard, thickened areas of skin that develop from repeated friction or pressure, causing hyperkeratinization (thicker skin), often on the soles of the feet or heels.

5. Cracked Heels (Heel Fissures)

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, occur when the skin on the heels becomes extremely dry and thick and ultimately splits. Fissures are painful, especially if the cracks run deep.

6. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes itching, burning, inflammation, and scaly skin between the toes. Tinea pedis dermatophytes (fungi that infect the skin) cause it.

7. Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis)

Toenail fungus, known as onychomycosis, causes toenails to become thick, brittle, and discolored. This contagious fungus flourishes in damp conditions like pool decks and locker room showers.

8. Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis)

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail's corner (usually on the big toe) grows into the surrounding skin and pierces through it, causing pain, swelling, and, sometimes, infection.

9. Foot Corn (Callus)

Corns are small, thickened areas of skin that usually grow on the toes or soles of the feet, but they can occur anywhere on the foot. They develop to protect certain areas of the foot but can quickly cause pressure and pain. They often result from wearing shoes that don't fit the shape of one's foot, which leads to rubbing, friction, and clavus-causing pressure points in certain spots.

10. Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion is a big bony bump that typically forms at the base of the big toe when the first metatarsal bone in the foot is misaligned, causing the bulging area to stick out. Bunion formation can be triggered by wearing tight shoes, arthritis, or genetic factors such as the shape of one's foot.

11. Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette)

A tailor's bunion or bunionette is a smaller bony bump that forms on the outside of the pinky toe, causing swelling and discomfort.

12. Plantar Warts (Verrucae Plantaris)

Plantar warts are small, noncancerous growths that form on the soles of the feet. They're caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

13. Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Flat feet occur when the foot's arches collapse or fail to form before birth. Pes planus usually doesn't cause discomfort if it's congenital. But if you develop flat feet later in life, it can be problematic. It can cause a higher chance of tendonitis or arthritis over time.

14. Plantar Fasciitis (Sharp Heel Pain)

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by sharp, pinpoint pain at the bottom of the heel or mid-arch when it hits the ground, especially first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.

15. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Tingling/Burning Under the Ankle)

Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when the posterior tibial nerve is compressed. It produces tingling, numbness, or burning sensations underneath the ankle and along the soles of the feet.

16. Morton's Neuroma (Forefoot Nerve Pain)

Morton's neuroma causes sharp pain or numbness in the ball of the foot near the toe joints. This pain and numbness may extend to the two adjacent toes and usually feels like a bunched-up sock. It happens when the nerves in this area get compressed.

17. Heel Spurs (Calcaneal Spur)

Heel spurs are calcium deposits that cause bony growths on the back of the heel or underneath it. They can be painful and debilitating, especially during the first few steps of the day.

18. Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a deformity marked by a toe bending at the middle joint, causing it to "pop up."

19. Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is the inflammation of the small sesamoid bones and affiliated tendons in the forefoot beneath the big toe joint. It causes pain and swelling.

20. Metatarsalgia (Forefoot Pain)

Metatarsalgia is pain or discomfort in the ball of the foot that can feel like stepping on a pebble stuck in your shoe. It's caused by excess pressure on the long bones in the forefoot, which are called metatarsals.

21. Chilblains (Chill-Induced Sores)

Chilblains are small, inflamed skin lesions that develop on the feet or toes after exposure to chilly, damp conditions.

22. Trench Foot (Immersion Foot Syndrome)

Trench foot, also known as swamp foot or immersion foot syndrome, results from prolonged exposure to cold, wet environments with just-above-freezing temperatures.

23. Pitted Keratolysis (Sweaty Sock Syndrome)

Pitted keratolysis, also known as "sweaty sock syndrome," is a bacterial infection that causes small pits or craters on the soles of the feet. A foul odor often accompanies this foot problem.

24. Gout (Uric Crystal Buildup in Toe Joints)

Gout causes sudden, severe pain and swelling in the toe joints, usually in the big toe. It's typically triggered by high uric acid levels in the blood, resulting in painful uric crystal accumulation.

25. Turf Toe (Metatarsophalangeal Joint Sprain)

Turf toe is a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. The name comes from athletes who experience a metatarsophalangeal joint sprain after stubbing their toe on artificial turf—but it can happen to anyone.

26. Stiff Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus)

Hallux rigidus is stiffness and pain in the big toe joint, making it difficult to bend. It's often caused by arthritis, typical wear and tear, or damage to articular cartilage.

27. Claw Toe

Claw toe is a deformity marked by toes bending downward into a claw-like position, causing pain and balance issues.

28. Lisfranc (Midfoot) Injury

A Lisfranc injury happens in the midfoot. It's named after Jacques Lisfranc, a French surgeon who first described these injuries in the 19th century. Lisfranc foot injuries typically involve injury to a ligament near the second toe.

29. Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)

Clubfoot is a congenital orthopedic foot condition characterized by an excessively turned-in foot (equinovarus) and high arches (cavus). If left untreated, it can result in permanent deformity, long-term disability, and chronic pain.

30. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD, is a progressive condition that causes the tendon inside the ankle to weaken or tear, causing foot support to collapse, resulting in flat-footedness.

31. Peroneal Tendonitis

Peroneal tendonitis occurs when the tendons running along the foot's outer side become inflamed due to overuse, improper footwear, or sudden increases in physical activity. It leads to pain, swelling, and tenderness that's felt along the outer ankle and foot.

32. Stress Fractures ("Hairline" Bone Cracks)

Stress fractures are tiny hairline fractures that develop in foot bones due to repetitive stress, overuse, insufficient recovery time, or high-impact sports. They cause pain, swelling, and discomfort. If left untreated or ignored, stress fractures can become debilitating full-blown fractures.

33. Nondiabetic Charcot Foot

Charcot foot is a very serious consequence of neuropathy. Diabetes is the most common cause, but other conditions, such as alcoholic neuropathy, spinal cord injuries, and some autoimmune diseases, are also associated with nerve damage in the feet that can lead to nondiabetic Charcot foot.

Diabetes-Related Foot Problems

People with diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing diabetes-related foot problems due to circulation, nerve, and skin issues. Below is a list of seven foot problems associated with diabetes:

1. Diabetic Foot Syndrome ("Diabetic Foot")

Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is an umbrella term that describes various foot problems commonly associated with diabetes.

2. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage in the Feet)

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that causes pain, tingling, numbness, or complete loss of sensation in the feet.

3. Peripheral Artery Disease (Poor Circulation in the Legs/Feet)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects the large arteries in the body. People with diabetes can experience small circulation issues that can make this worse.

4. Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis (Foot Bone Infection)

Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a serious bone infection that occurs when a soft-tissue infection spreads to the bone in the foot of a person living with diabetes.

5. Infectious Foot Gangrene (Foot Tissue Necrosis/Death)

Gangrene means "putrefaction of tissue" in Greek. The decay and death (necrosis) of skin tissue on the feet is a very serious foot problem associated with advanced diabetes. It occurs after a lack of blood flow and infection of a wound.

6. Nonhealing Foot Ulcers (Foot Sores That Don't Heal)

Nonhealing foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that don't heal within a few days or weeks. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a severe complication associated with neuropathy. Roughly 20% of DFUs result in a lower-extremity amputation.

7. Lower-Extremity Amputation (Foot Removal Surgery)

Lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) are a life-altering consequence of foot problems that have progressed to a point where surgical foot removal is the best or only option.

Causes of Pain on Different Parts of Foot

Below is a list of what commonly causes pain in different parts of the feet:

Heel:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Cracked heels
  • Calcaneal spurs

Arch:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Fallen arches
  • Cavus foot

Ball of foot:

  • Metatarsalgia
  • Sesamoiditis

Midfoot:

  • Lisfranc injury

Toes and toe joints:

  • Bunions
  • Gout
  • Hammertoes
  • Claw toes
  • Turf toe
  • Stiff big toe
  • Toe fractures

Occupational Hazard: Job-Related Foot Problems

Occupations that require standing on your feet for long hours or involve lots of walking are more likely to cause foot problems. Examples of these include:

  • Store clerk
  • Restaurant server
  • Warehouse picker
  • Grocery stocker
  • Construction worker
  • Nurse
  • Hairdresser
  • Mail carrier
  • Flight attendant

In addition to foot problems associated with occupational hazards and standing all day, foot issues are common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester.

Recurring and Chronic Complications

If left untreated, conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures may lead to further injury or long-term disability. Fungal infections can recur if the root cause isn't identified early and eradicated.For people with diabetes, chronic foot complications are associated with limited mobility and poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

When Symptoms Warrant a Provider Visit

Foot symptoms warrant a healthcare provider visit if the problem persists for more than a few days, shows signs of infection, or involves the inability to stand or walk without pain.

How to Initiate Treatment for Foot Problems

Initiating treatment for foot problems usually starts with speaking to a healthcare provider or physical therapist (PT) about the specific issue you're experiencing. If necessary, you may be referred to a podiatrist who can treat a wide range of foot issues from the tip of your toes to the back of your heels and everywhere in between.

Summary

Foot problems can range from minor to severe. People with diabetes need to be extra careful with their foot care. If a serious problem goes untreated, it may lead to dangerous complications. For healthy feet, it’s important to keep them clean and dry, wear fresh socks, and buy well-fitting shoes. See a healthcare provider or podiatrist if you experience foot problems that don’t improve quickly.

Foot Problems: Causes of Growths, Pain, and New Symptoms (2025)

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