10 Alarming Causes of Foot Pain and How to Handle Them

Have you felt crippling pain in your feet that seems to disappear for a while but comes back again and again?

There are many reasons why your feet hurt and some of them are pretty serious and require proper medical examination.Foot pain is not a joke and it’s crucially important to find out the causes of it as earlier as possible.

From your toes to your heels, here’s what may cause your feet to ache and how to deal with it.

1. Wrong shoes

If you wear too high, too narrow, or too tight shoes or you feel a discomfort while walking, it’s a sign you should invest in a new pair of shoes. Wearing the wrong shoes is the major cause of foot pain. Find shoes that won’t put pressure on your heels and toes and make sure your toes don’t rub against your shoes.

2. Ingrown toenails

Sometimes, people overlook this problem, but ingrown toenails can cause a serious pain. Check out your toes to find out if there’s any ingrown part. Surgical treatment might be needed to cut away the ingrown part of the nail.

3. Plantar fasciitis

If your heels hurt and the pain spreads all around the feet, chances are you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. This is a serious inflammation that requires a serious treatment that includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cortisone injections.

4. Bunions

The swelling on the joint of the big toe called a bunion can also be a reason your feet hurt. Since it’s typically a genetic condition, a surgery may be needed. Meanwhile, use splinting, padding and orthotics to relieve pain.

5. Flat feet

Actually, flat feet don’t cause a dramatic pain. The shoes you wear might be a cause of foot pain and corns and calluses. Choose the shoes with a strong arch support and orthotics to keep your flat feet happy.

6. Diabetic neuropathy

In case you suffer from diabetes, you may develop nerve damage in your feet, causing numbness and a tingling or burning pain. Apart from medical treatment, you’ll need to wear supportive walking shoes to alleviate the pain.

7. Foot and ankle osteoarthritis

The deformity, swelling, and pain in the feet and ankles are all the signs of osteoarthritis. Although this condition usually affects people over 60, some young people are at risk too.

8. Pregnancy

Foot pain is one of the signs of pregnancy. Add it to back strain and morning sickness and congratulations – you’re going to become a mommy. In order to relieve the pain, wear special walking shoes with medium support.

9. Hammertoe and mallet toe

These are foot deformities that cause chronic foot pain. From kids to seniors, everyone is prone to developing hammertoe and mallet toe. Besides medical treatment, you’ll need to wear the shoes with orthotics.

10. Weight loss or gain

Whether you’ve lost or gained a few pounds, this body mass change may lead to foot pain. The muscles in your feet either contract or expand, causing discomfort and pain while walking.


There are many other health conditions that can trigger foot pain, but these ten are the most common ones. Consult your doctor and pay attention to the shoes you wear each day.