Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon (the large tendon that connects your calf muscles to the heel bone at the back of your foot and ankle). A common symptom is pain at the back of your heel when walking or running. Calf stretching and strengthening the tendon is often advised to treat Achilles tendinitis, in addition to wearing supportive, well-cushioned footwear, insoles or heel raisers.

There are multiple types of arthritis that might affect your feet.

Athlete’s foot is a common skin condition caused by a fungal infection. This fungus grows and thrives in warm, damp or in excessively dry conditions, which is why feet are prone to the condition. It is more common in people with sweaty feet and is often associated with the soaking and softening of skin in between the toes, but there are different types of athlete’s foot that can affect different parts of the feet…

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of big toe pain and stiffness. Arthritis develops when the cartilage in the joint begins to degenerate (typically due to wear and tear) and the joint space becomes narrowed. This causes pain and stiffness in the joint, which usually develops gradually as we age. In many cases, pain from big toe arthritis can be managed by wearing firm, well-built footwear and supportive insoles…

Blisters are small pockets of fluid that form in the upper layers of the skin after it’s been damaged, which help to protect the affected skin whilst it heals. Blisters are commonly caused by repeated friction, for example from rubbing in a new pair of shoes, but can also be caused by burns and allergic skin reactions. Reducing friction in footwear is key to preventing blisters from forming…

A bunion is a deformity that commonly affects the big toe joint. A bunion forms when the big toe starts to deviate inwards and a bony lump begins to form on the inner side of the big toe joint. Bunions develop gradually and can worsen over time. Bunions are not always painful, however they can be aggravated by pressure or friction, such as from tight-fitting footwear, which may cause the area to become red and inflamed…

During winter months when it’s cold and damp, you may be more susceptible to developing chilblains on your toes, fingers or other parts of the body’s extremities. Chilblains appear as red, itchy swellings on the skin as a result of an abnormal reaction to cold temperatures. Avoiding long exposure to the cold and using well-insulated socks, shoes and gloves will help to reduce your risk of chilblains…

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin caused by pressure or friction and can develop anywhere on the foot. Corns and calluses can be painful, usually when pressure is applied to them, such as when walking or from rubbing in footwear. Reducing pressure from a corn or callus will help to reduce pain and can help to prevent the problem from returning…

Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, can be uncomfortable, painful and unsightly. When increased pressure and tension is applied to your heels, for example, when wearing open back sandals, this causes the skin to become dry, thick and cracked. Moisturising and supporting the heel by wearing enclosed, well-cushioned footwear can help to improve and prevent cracked heels…

If you are diabetic, caring for your feet is critical to avoid any long-term damage which could arise from having diabetes (either type 1 or type 2). This is because people who have diabetes are at increased risk of foot health complications arising from infections and injuries to the feet. Providing your feet with the care and attention they deserve early on will help to reduce your risk of diabetes-related foot complications.

A fungal nail infection is a common condition caused by the same fungi that cause athlete’s foot. The skin houses many micro-organisms, including fungi, but in the right conditions, such as the dark, warm and damp conditions your feet are often subject to, these fungi thrive and multiply, causing a fungal infection that can spread into your toenail. Your toenail may appear discoloured, thick or crumbly…

Plantar fasciitis is the main cause of heel pain, however multiple conditions can cause heel pain to develop. A common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in your heel first thing in the morning, usually when you take your first steps out of bed. Regularly stretching your foot and calf muscles, in addition to wearing supportive footwear and insoles, can help manage and prevent heel pain…

Metatarsalgia refers to any condition that causes pain in the ball of your foot. Often metatarsalgia develops if the balls of your feet are under too much pressure during weight-bearing activities. Typically, supporting and cushioning the feet, such as by changing footwear or using a supportive insole, will help to improve and prevent ball of foot pain…

There are many different deformities that can affect your toes, such as clawed toes, hammer toes and mallet toes. These are mostly inherited, however they can be influenced by the types of shoes we choose to wear and some medical conditions. Often, simply changing footwear or using soft toe guards to shield any prominent areas from pressure will help manage pain from these deformities…

Warts & verrucas are small lumps that may be hard or rough in appearance.