Five common foot problems and what you can do about them

Most foot problems are common, treatable and not serious, but they can still make every step uncomfortable. Here are five we see often at Foot Ankle Lower Limb, with what you can do at home and how a podiatrist can help.

1. Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain under the heel.¹ The plantar fascia is a strong, thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the toes.¹ The pain is often worst with your first steps in the morning, or when you stand up after sitting for a while.¹ It's sometimes called "heel spur" pain, but many people have a heel spur without any pain at all.¹

Despite the name, long-lasting plantar fasciitis doesn't seem to be mainly an inflammation. The tissue shows wear-and-tear changes, with breakdown and thickening of the fascia.² Running, jumping, a sudden increase in activity, flat feet or high arches, being overweight, spending long hours on your feet, and tight or weak calf muscles can all play a part.¹

What your podiatrist can do: explain what's driving your pain and how to manage your activity, and give you footwear advice. Plantar fascia stretches and taping help ease first-step pain in the short term.³ If that isn't enough, shockwave therapy or custom foot orthoses (shoe inserts) can be added.³ Low-level laser can also ease pain for a few months as part of a broader plan.⁴

What you can do at home: wear shoes with good support and cushioning, and try heel pads or arch supports.¹ An ice pack for 10–20 minutes, up to 4 times a day, can ease the pain.¹ Most people improve, but it can take weeks or months.¹ See your doctor or podiatrist if it lasts longer than 8 weeks.¹

2. Bunions

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony bump at the base of the big toe that forms when the big toe leans towards the other toes.⁵ The shape of your foot, which you inherit, plays a big part. Arthritis, a foot injury, and narrow, tight shoes can also contribute.⁵ Bunions can be painful and make it hard to find shoes that fit, and if they're not managed they can increase your chance of a fall.⁵

What your podiatrist can do: discuss your options, which may include padding, footwear changes, orthoses, splints and exercises.⁵ These can ease pain, but they won't straighten the toe.⁶ If your bunion is still painful or keeps getting worse, surgery may be an option. Recovery can take a long time, and a bunion can come back afterwards.⁵

What you can do at home: change to shoes with a wider toe box to take pressure off the joint.

3. Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are areas of hard, thickened skin caused by pressure or rubbing.⁷ A callus is a larger patch of rough skin, while a corn is a smaller, hard lump that can be quite painful.⁷ Common causes are shoes that don't fit well, the shape of the bones in your feet, and the way your foot takes load when you walk.⁷,⁸

What your podiatrist can do: cut away the hard skin of a corn or callus.⁷ This is usually painless and often gives quick relief. We can also help take pressure off the area with padding, footwear changes or orthoses, so it's slower to come back.⁷,⁸ Because they're caused by pressure, corns and calluses often return, so regular care may be needed. If a bony problem keeps causing them, surgery to correct it is sometimes an option when other measures haven't worked.⁸

What you can do at home: use a pumice stone or foot file regularly and moisturise to keep skin soft.⁷ Soft pads or toe spacers can protect a corn. Don't try to cut corns or calluses off yourself.⁷ If you have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system, don't treat them yourself at all; see a podiatrist.⁷

4. Fungal nail infections

Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) are common, especially in older people.⁹ The nail can become thick, crumbly and yellow or brown, and may lift from the nail bed.⁹ They often start when a fungal skin infection of the foot, called tinea or athlete's foot, spreads to the nail.⁹

What your podiatrist can do: confirm whether it really is fungus, and explain your treatment options. Tablets taken by mouth work best for most people, but treatment takes 3–6 months or longer.⁹ Antifungal paints and creams don't usually work as well on toenails.⁹ Laser treatment for fungal nails doesn't seem to work any better than no treatment.⁹,¹⁰ We'll also help you lower the chance of it coming back.

What you can do at home: keep your feet clean and dry, and dry well between your toes.¹¹ Change your socks every day and wash socks and towels in hot water.¹¹ Wear thongs in communal showers and change rooms, where the fungus can spread.¹¹

5. Ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail happens when the side of the nail grows into the skin around it, which can become red, swollen and infected.¹² Tight shoes, cutting nails too short or not straight across, picking at the nail corners, and naturally curved nails can all make them more likely.¹²

What your podiatrist can do: gently remove the piece of nail that is digging in, which often relieves the pain straight away. If it keeps coming back, we can remove a strip along the side of the nail under local anaesthetic and treat the root so it doesn't regrow, which makes it less likely to return.¹²,¹³ Only the side of the nail is removed, so the rest of the nail can look fairly normal afterwards.

What you can do at home: cut your nails straight across, don't cut them too short, and don't pick or tear the corners.¹² See a podiatrist or GP if your toe looks infected, or straight away if you have diabetes or poor circulation.¹²

When to see a podiatrist

See a podiatrist if foot pain lasts more than a few weeks, stops you doing your normal activities, or keeps coming back. Get checked sooner if you have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system, or if you notice signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever.⁷,¹²

If one of these problems is bothering you, book an appointment with our podiatrists in Booragoon.

References

1. Healthdirect Australia (2025). Plantar fasciitis. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/plantar-fasciitis
2. Lemont H, Ammirati KM, Usen N (2003). Plantar fasciitis: a degenerative process (fasciosis) without inflammation. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 93(3), 234–237. https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-93-3-234
3. Morrissey D, Cotchett M, Said J'Bari A, et al. (2021). Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(19), 1106–1118. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101970
4. Koc TA, Bise CG, Neville C, et al. (2023). Heel pain – plantar fasciitis: revision 2023. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 53(12), CPG1–CPG39. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2023.0303
5. Healthdirect Australia (2026). Bunions. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bunions
6. Hurn SE, Matthews BG, Munteanu SE, Menz HB (2022). Effectiveness of nonsurgical interventions for hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Care & Research, 74(10), 1676–1688. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24603
7. NHS (2026). Corns and calluses. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/corns-and-calluses/
8. Freeman DB (2002). Corns and calluses resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis. American Family Physician, 65(11), 2277–2280. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0601/p2277.html
9. Healthdirect Australia (2024). Toenail infection. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toenail-infection
10. Foley K, Gupta AK, Versteeg S, et al. (2020). Topical and device-based treatments for fungal infections of the toenails. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD012093. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012093.pub2
11. Healthdirect Australia (2025). Tinea. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tinea
12. Healthdirect Australia (2025). Ingrown toenails. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ingrown-toenails
13. Eekhof JAH, Van Wijk B, Knuistingh Neven A, van der Wouden JC (2012). Interventions for ingrowing toenails. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD001541. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001541.pub3

Reviewed by Andrew Schox, Podiatrist, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod. Last reviewed October 2026.