*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Pain In The Bottom Of The Foot

Pain in the bottom of your foot (arch, ball or sole) will often get better in a few weeks. See a GP if it does not improve.

How you can ease pain in the bottom of the foot

If you see a GP about pain in the bottom of your foot, they may suggest trying these things:

Do

rest and raise your foot when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas in a towel) on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear shoes with plenty of room for your feet that have a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes
try to lose weight if you're overweight
try regular gentle stretching exercises for your foot and ankle
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)

Don't

do not do any sports or other activity that you think is causing the pain
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes

A pharmacist can help with foot pain

You can ask a pharmacist about:

the best painkiller to take
insoles and pads for your shoes
treatments for common skin problems, such as hard skin or a verruca
if you need to see a GP

Find a pharmacy

See a GP if:

the pain in the bottom of your foot is stopping you doing normal activities
the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot
you have diabetes and foot pain - foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:

you have severe pain in the bottom of your foot
you're not able to walk
your foot has changed shape or is at an odd angle
you heard a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury
you feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain

These might be signs of a broken bone after an injury.

Find an urgent treatment centre

What we mean by severe pain

Severe pain:: always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
you cannot sleep
it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:: always there
makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:: comes and goes
is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

Common causes of pain in the bottom of the foot

Pain in the bottom of your foot is often caused by exercise, such as running, wearing shoes that are too tight or a condition, such as Morton's neuroma.

Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the bottom of the foot. Hard or cracked skin or a verruca can also cause this type of pain.

Your symptoms might give you an idea what's causing it, but do not self-diagnose. Get medical help if you're worried.

Symptoms	Possible cause
Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise	Sprained foot
Sharp, burning or shooting pain near your toes (ball of your foot), feels like a lump or small stone under your foot	Morton's neuroma
Sharp pain between your arch and heel, feels worse when you start walking and better when resting, difficulty raising toes off floor	Plantar fasciitis
No gap (arch) under your foot when you stand up, your foot presses flat on the floor	Flat feet (fallen arches)

If you're not sure what's causing pain in the bottom of the foot

Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.

Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.

Self-refer for treatment

If you have pain in the bottom of your foot, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
check your GP surgery's website
contact your integrated care board (ICB) - find your local ICB
search online for NHS treatment for foot pain near you

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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