Dark Spot on the Bottom of the Foot: What Should You Know?

Pressure from walking, tight footwear, or a minor injury can cause a bruise or blood blister. Thick sole skin can also make a mark look different from nearby skin. A fungal infection may cause scaling or several discoloured areas, while a mole or other pigmented lesion can occur on the sole. Check whether the mark is flat or raised, tender or silent, and whether its edges or colour are changing. See [Dark Patches On Skin](/symptoms/dark-patches-on-skin/) for related symptom information.

Take a clear photograph with a ruler beside the spot and record its shape and colour, without repeatedly scraping the skin. Wear well-fitting shoes, keep feet dry, and avoid cutting or peeling the area. Do not use a home acid or lightening product on a sole lesion. A clinician may inspect it closely and decide whether monitoring, treatment for infection, or further testing is appropriate. Cosmetic treatments such as a [Chemical Peel](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/chemical-peel/) are not a substitute for diagnosis.

Book a prompt dermatology review for a new mark on the sole, especially if it grows, changes shape, develops uneven colour, bleeds, crusts, or becomes painful without a clear injury. Seek urgent care for severe swelling, warmth, pus, fever, or rapidly spreading redness. People with diabetes, reduced sensation, or poor circulation should arrange foot assessment early.

Could this be a bruise, blister, infection, or pigmented lesion? Does its location on the sole change how it should be assessed? Should I photograph or measure it during monitoring? Is any foot-care product safe for this area?