Dear Foot Blogger Chick,
I have the spot on the ball of my foot that really hurts. It looks like a wart. I bought some stuff at the drug store but it has not made a difference. What am I going to do? It is really bothering me.
Pain in the foot
Dear Pain,
I hate to hear that someone is in pain. Let’s see what we can do about that quickly. There are at least three possibilities for what could be on the ball of your foot. It could be a wart and the over the counter medicine that you picked up at the drug store is just not strong enough to take care of it. It could be a callusthat has formed in just the right way that it is causing you pain. The third option is a blocked sweat gland.
All three of the above mentioned foot maladies look alike but the remedies are different.
What is the difference between the three –
Warts are caused by a viral infection and you pick them up from exposure to the virus. Gyms and public showers are great spots to pick them up. Do you remember me telling you that you should wear shower shoes or flip flops in those areas?
Calluses are formed when your skin thickens in response to irritation or friction. They are actually formed as part of your skin’s protective response.
Blocked sweat glands are found in areas where of pressure just like calluses. Your foot has 250,000 sweat glands. The constant pressure and or friction can cause the blockage.
What do I do?
If you are in pain and have been in pain, it is time to go to your friendly local podiatrist. The doctor can determine what is causing the pain and can treat it appropriately. The doctor can also help you prevent that problem in the future.
Do I have to go to the doctor?
If you are not sure of the problem and you are in pain, then you have to go to the doctor. The doctor is trained to be able to tell the difference between the conditions. If there is any question, the doctor can take a scraping of the affected area and look at it under a microscope to verify the diagnosis. The doctor can give you the best treatment for the condition and help you with ideas for increasing your comfort during treatment.
I hope that you get relief soon for your foot pain.
I also want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend! The big summer kick off starts now. Don’t forget to include your feet when you are lathering up with sunscreen and wear appropriate footwear.
Your Pal,
The Foot Blogger Chick
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