Feet

When the big toe is angled towards the second toe, a bunion often forms. These run in families and are more common in women than in men, but can be made worse by ill-fitting shoes.

A podiatrist might recommend splints or insoles to relieve the symptoms but there is no evidence that they can correct the underlying deformity.

To change the shape of the foot, surgery is needed – a bunionectomy, where more or less bone is removed, depending on the severity of the bunion.

Deeper, wider shoes can help reduce the risk of getting a bunion.

Having flat feet, where almost the whole of the foot comes into contact with the ground, without an arch between the heel and toes, may not cause any problems.

It's when there is pain in the feet or lower legs caused by walking abnormally that treatment is needed.

Stretching exercises, wearing wide-fitting shoes and using insoles or heel cups can help to relived pain.

Athlete's foot is easily picked up in communal changing rooms and swimming baths, and thrives in wet, damp shoes.

The symptoms are itching between last toes, red raw-looking, itchy and flaking skin. There can also be a sore, pus-filled, weeping rash.

The best way to prevent developing athlete's foot is to wash the feet at least once a day with soap and tepid water, drying thoroughly and gently in between the toes. Using an antifungal powder or spray sparingly (twice a day at most), and wearing natural fibres and well-fitting shoes also helps.

Toenail infections are more difficult to clear totally than skin infections.

This is because the nail thickens with fungal infection, so it is best for a podiatrist to thin the nail down as far as possible before using a paint or cream.

This enables the treatment to reach the affected area in the most effective way.

The infection can take up to a year to clear up with regular treatments.