Toes are at high risk for developing the following conditions: Hammertoes The toe joints responsible for keeping your toes up can sometimes become pulled and deformed. When the muscles in your feet become weak, the tendons in the toe move out of their normal range of motion. This bend in the middle toe joint is called hammertoe. Hammertoes can be treated with surgery, taping, insulation, pain relieving medications, or custom shoe inserts. Bunions Bunions are bony bumps located at the base of your big toe usually caused by other bones in the foot that are slightly out of place. Bunions can be treated with rest, ice, padding, orthopedic shoes, medications, and surgery. Mallet Toes A mallet toe is a bend in the joint nearest to the toenail which causes pain and discomfort. This bend makes the toe look curled as opposed to flat. Mallet toes can be caused by the wrong pair of shoes, arthritis, bone deformities, muscle imbalances, and traumatic foot injuries. This toe condition can be treated with physical therapy, steroid injections, toe pads, orthopedic shoes, shoe inserts, and gentle exfoliants. Athlete’s Foot Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete's foot, begins in the middle of the toes. Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin condition that can cause rashes, itchiness, and cracked skin. Without the proper treatment, tinea pedis can spread to the rest of your foot and other parts of your body. Fortunately, prescription-strength ointments and antifungal pills can clear your infection quickly. Blisters Toe blisters are sacs filled with fluid caused by burns, skin conditions, infections, friction, and chemical exposure. Blisters are important to treat so that they don’t cause a bigger infection. They can be treated with warm water, iodine, and ointments. We recommend covering a blister with padding and avoiding draining it. Calluses Corns and calluses on the toe are thick layers of skin caused by friction. Although they typically aren’t painful, you may want to treat them before they get too big or uncomfortable. Calluses can be treated with the right shoes and protective pads. Ingrown Toenails Ingrown toenails are located on the side of the toe where the toenail meets the soft flesh. Because they cause inflammation and swelling, ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful. Severe ingrown toenails can be treated by carefully lifting the toenail, partially removing the nail, placing a gutter splint under the nail, or taping the nail.