It doesn’t really come as a big surprise why there are many skin conditions that can strike your feet. That’s because they are usually dark, damp and moist — conditions that microbes cannot resist!

While there are many different home remedies as well as over-the-counter (OTC) products available for various foot issues, the problem is at times it can be hard to determine which one of them you should go for because many skin problems concerning your feet have similar characteristics.

Needless to say, it’s definitely a good idea for you to seek the help of a dermatologist when you’re in doubt.

While waiting for your appointment date to arrive, keep on reading. Below you will come across some of the most common skin conditions that can affect your feet.

Athlete’s Foot

Just because you’re not an athlete doesn’t mean you can’t get athlete’s foot — if you are not fond of wearing slippers in the locker room, shower room or around the swimming pool, your risk of ending up with it is high.

Referred to as tinea pedis by people in the medical community, athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus.

While it can affect just about any part of your feet, athlete’s foot is more commonly seen on the soles of the feet and also in between the toes. Initially, athlete’s foot causes a rash that’s red, blistering and painful. If it’s not put under control, athlete’s foot can make affected areas look incredibly dry.

Onychomycosis

Dermatologists refer to it as onychomycosis, while everybody calls it toenail fungal infection — yes, fungus can affect not only the skin of your feet but also your toenails.

Just like athlete’s foot, you can get this problem from walking barefoot in communal areas that are damp.

The problem with onychomycosis is it can make your nails look really hideous and also smell kind of foul. In addition, it can leave you in a great deal of pain especially if you put on ill-fitting shoes. By the way, you are at higher risk of having a toenail fungal infection if you have or have had athlete’s foot.

Eczema

It can be very easy to mistake foot eczema for athlete’s foot. That’s because they tend to share the same signs and symptoms. But most of the time, eczema is characterized by the presence of red scaly skin that feels itchy.

According to dermatologists, foot eczema is usually due to contact with products with harsh ingredients.

However, it’s very much possible for this very common issue concerning the feet to be due to excessively moist skin. Similarly, it can be blamed on excessive dryness. More often than not, it is the weather that can be blamed for foot eczema — for instance, dry winters can leave your foot extremely dry and thus very prone to it.

Plantar Warts

Put simply, plantar warts are warts that are situated on the soles of your feet or underside of your toes. A lot of people mistake plantar warts for corns or calluses because they kind of look the same. However, corns and calluses are not contagious, while plantar warts can easily spread from one person to the other!

Because of where they are located, you may experience pain or discomfort while standing or walking.

The good news is plantar warts tend to go away on their own. In the meantime, refrain from sharing towels, socks and footwear to keep those warts of yours from spreading to other feet.

WARNING: None of the pieces of information above should be mistaken for medical advice that can only come from the mouth of a health care provider. If a skin issue concerning your feet is already interfering with your everyday living, consult a dermatologist without delay.