How To Tell If It Is Time To See A Podiatrist

If you want to make sure that you are well aware of the foot problems that would warrant a trip to the podiatrist, you will want to check out the following signs of trouble.

You Have Rough Cracked Heels

It is important to make sure that you are not neglecting your feet, especially if you happen to be a diabetic. The cracks can lead to bleeding if the crack goes deep enough and it reaches healthy skin. This will not only be painful, but it can put you at risk for an infection. You can first try to treat your dry and cracked heels at home with with at-home pedicure care kits. However, if that is not doing the trick for you, you will need to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.

You Are Getting Reoccurring Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are not just painful, but they can turn into an infection if the skin ends up getting punctured. With severe cases of ingrown toenails, you could end up with a swollen toe that is red and is not able to be touched by anything without you ending up in terrible pain. You will want to make an appointment to visit your podiatrist. This way, he or she can look over your toe and decide on the best course of action. In most cases, he or she will numb your toe and surgically remove a piece of the toenail along the entire side. This way, the width of your toenail is shortened and you will be less likely to get any more ingrown toenails.

Your Foot Has Swelling That Won't Go Away

If both of your feet swell slightly due to the weather, a preexisting health issue, or because you are pregnant, it might not be an issue for you. However, if this is sudden, an excessive amount of swelling compared to what you are used to, or only one foot is swollen, you will want to talk to a podiatrist. You could have an injury that is causing the swelling, even if you can still walk without experiencing any trouble. Your podiatrist will be able to take x-rays of your foot and determine if there is anything to worry about or that you need to treat at the moment. 

Now all you need to do is find the best possible podiatrist in your area, like Foot & Ankle Care Center PA for example. This way, when you experience any of the previously mentioned foot problems, you will know who to call.


Share