An ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) happens when part of the nail pierces the skin, often leading to an infection

The term ingrown toenail describes the piercing of the skin surrounding a toenail by the nail itself. It can occur on one or both sides of the toenail, and can affect one or both feet. For most people, this will occur in the big toe (hallux), though it can affect the lesser toes too. Once the nail penetrates the skin, the toe becomes vulnerable to complications like infection.

A callus or corn is an area of thickened skin that forms at pressure points over bony prominences

Corns and calluses are both different forms of hard, dead skin that form as a result of friction or pressure. Both can either be painful or painless, depending on their location and size. They both have distinct differences and identifiable features, as described below.

Nail fungus infections are caused when fungi infects the nail plate and the soft tissue beneath the nail

A fungal nail infection, medically referred to as onychomycosis, describes the infiltration of a toenail by a living fungus. This causes a change in the appearance of the toenail as the infection grows. Up to 50% of all abnormal changes to the appearance of toenails are caused by fungus and around 10% of adults suffer from fungal nail infections.

Fungus, or fungi (plural), are microscopic and so are invisible to the human eye - until they start infecting the nail and causing symptoms. Fungal nail infections are caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. They grow and survive by feeding on keratin - a protein that is present in your nails.

Plantar warts are small, rough, round growths that are medically known as verrucae and occur on the hands and feet. They’re caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and are often contracted in childhood. Once you’ve contracted the virus, you’ll always have it in your system, so plantar warts may spontaneously recur throughout your lifetime.

Blisters are a small swelling or pocket of fluid in the upper skin layers

Blisters are the puffy, fluid-filled pockets that develop in the top layer of the skin - and there’s a good chance that you have already had at least one blister at some point in your life. They often appear after wearing tight or new shoes that rub against the skin around your feet and develop very quickly, along with the pain they cause when they’re pressed against.