About 75 percent of the population deals with a foot injury or condition each year, and oftentimes that number is higher in male populations who may not take care of their feet as routinely as women do. On top of that, there are certain foot conditions that tend to be more common in males than in females. Today, we take a closer look at four foot conditions that commonly affect men.
Common Foot Problems For Men
These conditions are by no means isolated to men, but it seems that when someone hobbles into my clinic with one of these ailments, more often than not, they’re male.
1. Gout – Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in the big toe of individuals who have high levels of uric acid in their body. Uric acid can develop if you eat a lot of red meat, have poor exercise habits and consume a lot of alcohol. The good news is that gout can oftentimes be treated and prevented simply by changing some of your daily habits, like improving your diet, getting regular exercise and cutting back on your alcohol intake.
2. Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is caused by the development of inflammation of the plantar fascia on the underside of your foot that extends from the balls of your feet to your heel. Runners and athletes often develop plantar fasciitis due to overuse, improper running techniques and poor footwear. Cutting down on activity levels, finding a comfortable and supportive shoe, taking anti-inflammatory medications and partaking in physical therapy strengthening exercises can all help prevent problems caused by plantar fasciitis.
3. Ingrown Toenails – Ingrown toenails occur when your toenail grows back at an odd angle and presses into the skin. Men tend to be less likely to take good care of their foot health, which can contribute to the onset of ingrown toenails. They can also arise out of physical trauma and poor athletic footwear, which is common in sports where athletes want a really tight shoe, like in soccer or track. Check out these tips for taking care of your ingrown toenail before it becomes a larger issue.
4. Athlete’s Foot – Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection between the toes or on the foot, and similar to the above point, it is oftentimes more common in men because they are less likely to have regular foot hygeine routines compared to women. Men may not be as aware of the potential for fungal infection in places like community showers and locker rooms, or they simply just don’t take as many precautions as women do. Athlete’s foot can be treated with topical cremes and by keeping your feet dry, as the fungus can prosper in warm and wet locations, like in a sweaty sock and shoe.