Dr. Kelvin A Barry, D.P.M.

Yes, see a podiatrist. Also, increase your water intake. This dry, cracked skin in your body showing some hydration. Also, apply lotion or cream to your feet at least twice daily.

1. Avoid standing and walking as much as possible.
2. Elastic bandage wrapped around the ankle
3. Ankle stabilizer / support

It could be a splinter that has gone into skin deeply. It could also be a fissure or crack in the skin. That can feel like a sharp pain or like something sticking you.

It can become infected and become more painful.

Arch support are a bio-mechanical method of treating Morton's neuroma. Other methods include cortisone injections or alcohol injections. Ultimately, most patients require surgical excision of the neuroma.

A bunion is a combination deviation of the big toe joint and overgrowth of the bone at the bog toe joint. It's mostly due to the deviation of the metatarsal bone in toward the center of the body (the bone that appears to have bone growth) and the big toe away from the center of the body.

Bunions are partly genetic. So check your parents and grandparent's feet. You'll get an idea of what to expect for yourself.
Prevention includes wearing shoes with proper arch supports. Avoid shoes that are flat on the inside. Avoiding tight shoes or shoes that narrow greatly at the toes (heels and men's fancy dress shoes ie Italian, Alligator, etc)
You want to avoid anything that will progress the big toe being pushed over away from the center of the body

Surgical debridement or cutting of the corn after removal of part or all of the toenail. Sometimes there is an exostosis or bone bump/spur on the bone under the nail; this can cause the soft tissue and toenail to be pushed up thus causing pressure and shear friction when wearing shoes.
Your podiatrist will take x-rays to determine of this is the case. If so, surgical removal of the bone bump/spur will be necessary

Firstly, is the pain more intense when you stand up and walk after periods of rest?
Sounds like you may have heel spur syndrome or plantar fasciitis. It is basically inflammation in the plantar fascia (a ligament that connects from the bottom of the heel bone and the balls of your feet). This ligament helps to maintain the arch of your foot. If your foot is flat or arch collapses when your body weight is on your feet then this ligament stretches. This excess stretching causes micro tears in the plantar fascia - mostly at the heel - and will result in inflammation and swelling, which are the causes of pain.
Treatment includes ice and massage of the area; oral anti-inflammatory medications (Alleve, Motrin, etc.); topical pain & anti-inflammatory creams; stretching exercises; cortisone injections; arch supports or orthotics; soundwave therapy; amniotic infusion into the plantar fascia
If all fails, surgery is a final option; but thisntoo is not 100% guaranteed

Diabetes can make healing difficult. So, prior to surgery, your blood glucose and your Hemoglobin A1C have to be well controlled. Your circulation is another factor that has to be taken into consideration. Great circulation = fast/great healing. Poor circulation = poor healing. So, because diabetes can affect circulation, it is usually a factor we surgeons consider, though the circulation is the ultimate determination of the healing time and quality.

1. Drink more water. Hydration level of the body will usually show up in the skin.
2. Moisturize the feet at least twice daily- morning and evening.
3. Cold weather can reduce moisture levels in skin, so keep skin covered and warm.

Most likely it will have to be done under local anesthesia. The part of the nail that is growing into the skin will have to be surgically excised.

Avoid wearing heels too much. The pain may be caused by strain of the plantar fascia. Also, in my years of practice women who wear heel a lot tend to have a shortened Achilles tendon. And when they try to wear flats or walk around barefooted the tendon becomes stretched thus causing discomfort and pain