Many people delay in seeking help from their podiatrist when it comes to persistent and nagging foot problems, typically occurring because they do not recognize the signs and symptoms of common foot problems that warrant the need of a podiatrist, often times waiting until it is too late.
To help you better understand when you should seek the help of a podiatrist, here are the most common foot issues and their symptoms:
Foot swelling or numbness- While the occasional swollen or numb foot is not typically a huge cause for concern, if the swelling and numbness is occurring regularly, then you should seek help. From tendonitis, to a broken bone, to a sprained ankle, to other nerve-related issues, there can be a real problem that is causing your symptoms.
Thick calluses or corns- While corns and calluses are not serious issues, the underlying cause of them might be, often indicating underlying problems with the structure of your foot, which can be the cause of stubborn corns and calluses that will not go away.
Painful bunions- While ill fitted shoes, like heels, and deformities are most often the reasons for the formation of bunions, simply by wearing the right shoes may not be enough to alleviate the pain of bunions, making it only a matter of time before you will need to see a podiatrist to properly correct them.
Pain when walking- If you are experiencing pain when walking or being active, then you may have a fracture or other foot injury that hasn’t healed properly. And without proper treatment, your injury could get worse, not only making it more painful to move about, but doing more damage to the foot, which may be harder to treat.
Cracked or bleeding heels- While dry, cracked heels can usually be cared for with sloughing and foot cream, the longer you allow the dryness and cracked skin to persist, the more issues you will likely experience, in which your heels may become more susceptible to infections. If you have diabetes, it is critical that you see your podiatrist immediately.
Ingrown toenails- Many people attempt to treat ingrown toenails on their own, however, without proper treatment, you can damage your toenail as well as the surrounding tissue, which can go from being a minor problem, to being painful or infected.
If you are experiencing any of the above issues, then you should contact The Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois immediately to get your feet in the best health possible.
