Can foot pain affect your health?

Foot pain that keeps you on the sidelines can make you gain weight. Vonda Wright, MD, tells you how to cope with foot pain, athlete's foot, and other foot problems.

Transcript

00:00

Buy socks that wick away moisture and always wear flip-flops in locker rooms and pool showers.

00:08

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:15

7 out of 10 people say foot pain keeps them from walking, and that may lead to weight gain.

00:22

The solution? Prevent the three most common foot problems. Avoid athlete's foot.

00:28

There are 250,000 sweat glands in your feet, so it's no wonder itchy, smelly, fungal infections grow there.

00:37

If you're prone to athlete's foot, change your shoes and socks twice a day, buy socks that wick away moisture,

00:45

and always wear flip-flops in locker rooms and pool showers.

00:51

Don't cover up nasty nails. Hiding thick, discolored nails inside shoes or under nail

00:57

polish makes them worse. See your doctor to be sure there is no underlying medical condition under the nail.

01:04

The cause is often fungal, so use the same tips to prevent athlete's foot. Keep your feet dry.

01:11

Soothe foot pain. Problems in the heel or balls of your feet can result from weight gain, pounding the pavement,

01:19

or poor arch support. So stretch your leg muscles. Icing your feet can help too.

01:26

And see a podiatrist for possible inserts. [AUDIO LOGO]