Athlete's foot is a skin infection caused by fungus. A fungal infection may occur on any part of the body; on the foot it is called athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis.  Fungus commonly attacks the feet because it thrives in a dark, moist, warm environment such as a shoe. Fungal infections are more common

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A black, purple, or brownish discoloration under or involving a toenail is frequently due to trauma to the toe nail, such as when something is dropped on the toe. The color results from a blood clot or bleeding under the nail, and may involve the entire nail or just a small portion of it. This can be

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A callus is a thickened area of skin on the foot caused by pressure and repeated rubbing, such as from a shoe or sock. The rubbing causes the skin to produce a layer of protective skin (a callus). Calluses vary in size, and can become painful. There are a number of treatments for painful calluses.

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Contact dermatitis of the foot is an inflammation of the skin in response to an irritant. This irritant is something with which the foot has come into contact, such as materials and chemicals with which shoes are made, poison ivy or harsh chemicals. When the skin of the foot comes into contact with

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There are many potential causes of "cracked heels." Dry skin (xerosis) is common and can get worse with wearing open-back shoes, increased weight, or increased friction from the back of shoes. Dry cracking skin can also be a subtle sign of more significant problems, such as diabetes or loss of nerve

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Frostbite occurs when a body part is exposed to extreme cold. If conditions are cold enough for the water within the tissues to freeze and form ice crystals, cell death can occur. The feet, hands, ears and nose are particularly prone to frostbite due to their location away from the body’s core.   Mild

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A fungus is an organism that lives in warm moist areas. Fungus of the toenails is a common problem that can affect people of all ages, although it most commonly affects individuals who are older.  Toenail fungus often begins as an infection in the skin called tinea pedis (also known as athlete’s

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What Is a Ganglion Cyst? A ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word “ganglion” means “knot” and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin.   Ganglion cysts are among

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There are many potential causes of "cracked heels." Dry skin (xerosis) is common and can get worse with wearing open-back shoes, increased weight, or increased friction from the back of shoes. Dry cracking skin can also be a subtle sign of more significant problems, such as diabetes or loss of nerve

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What Is an Ingrown Toenail? When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.   If an ingrown nail causes a break

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What is the Plantar Fibroma?  A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot (nodule) in the arch of the foot. It is embedded within the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes on the bottom of the foot. A plantar fibroma can develop in one or both feet, is benign (non-malignant),

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What Is Hallux Rigidus? Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint, and with time it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe.  ‘Hallux” refers to the big toe, while “rigidus” indicates that the toe is rigid and cannot

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What Is a Puncture Wound? Puncture wounds are not the same as cuts. A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object, such as a nail that you’ve stepped on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that produces a long tear in the skin. Puncture wounds require different treatment from

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A rash on the foot can have a variety of causes. It may be a form of eczema, which is usually very itchy. It also may be an allergic reaction to something with which your feet have come into contact, such as materials in your shoe or poison ivy. Another common reason for a foot rash is athlete’s foot,

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Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition which results in a bluish-white discoloration of fingers and toes, often as a result of exposure to cold. Stress, smoking, and certain medications may trigger or worsen symptoms. The color change, which occurs from spasms in small blood vessels, becomes red and then

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“Skin cancer” is a general term for three distinct cancers that can appear on the foot: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.   Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, appears on sun-exposed areas as a smooth, raised bump or a sore that is not healing.

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