A small spot on the arch of my foot is suddenly quite painful and irritated. Could it be infected?

It is not possible to know exactly what this is but it may be a splinter or thorn or similar which has got into your foot and is infected. Even if you can't see it.

You could try a hot salt water foot soak to draw out any infection. Maybe apply some antiseptic to the area.

I would resist the temptation to open the wound with tweezers yourself. You will probably just make the pain worse and increase oportunity for infection to enter.

Consider popping some shoes on when you go outside, annoying I know when you are used to being barfefoot, but just until the area heals.

If it is an infection they are usually self limiting with a little care, especially if you are generally healthy.

If the problem persists, gets worse or you are in any way concerned, consult your family doctor or minor injuries unit.

Hope this helps.

It could be a small thorn, but it could just be an insect bite or sting. I go barefoot everywhere too, and when I get something like that in my foot, and it's not something I can just grab with tweezers and pull right out, I like to just leave it alone and let it work itself out. If you start digging around, you just do yourself more damage.

It could be a Plantars Wart. Usually starts out as a tiny bump on the bottom of your foot that hurts really bad and continues to grow larger and become more painful. I went to a podiatrist who simply scraped away the dry callused skin until he reached a tiny pebble which popped out. No more pain after that and it all went away.

Yeah, are trying "Oxy Emergency Zit Blitzer" its first-rate. Iv been making use of it the past few days and my spots arent as sore as they were and its taken away the inflamation and redness. It starts working within 8 hrs. It can be used four times a day.