There are a lot of conditions that can affect your feet. However, many people don’t consider them serious and prefer to rest or apply some home remedies to ease the pain or discomfort. But you should understand that many food issues are quite serious and can lead to severe complications if left untreated. In this article, we have gathered seven weighty reasons to visit a podiatrist you shouldn’t neglect.
1. Ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails are a common condition that podiatrists treat. Ingrown toenails may appear minor at first, but they may soon become painful and infectious if left untreated. Ingrown toenails (which mainly affect the big toe) can cause an infection when they develop into the epidermis.
Many people try to treat their ingrown toenails themselves. However, treating ingrown toenails on your own is never a good idea since you can injure yourself or cause the infection to spread throughout your body. It is preferable to visit a podiatrist to ensure that your toe is properly treated without causing damage to your toenail or surrounding tissue.
2. Bunions
A bunion is a lump at the base of the big toe that develops when the big toe's bone or joint is out of alignment. Advanced bunions can be extremely painful especially if they are big. To relieve the pain of bunions, the first thing you should do is wear shoes that don't crowd your toes (rounded toes rather than sharp toes).
Treatments like cushioning, taping, or medication might be recommended by a podiatrist. In some cases, bunion surgery can be the only effective option. Keep in mind that like with any case, you need to consult a foot doctor before starting any treatment.
3. Flat feet
Flat feet, also known as over-pronation, cause discomfort in the feet, heels, knees, hips, back, and even neck. But did you know that this condition can lead to bunions, plantar fasciitis, and knee pain? Bunions are common in people with flat feet because of the unnatural pressure imposed on the big toe region, which causes the bone to relocate, the toe to swing in, and a bunion to form.
To treat flat feet, you need to contact a foot doctor. Orthotics can assist in restoring the foot to a neutral posture and alleviating discomfort throughout the body. A podiatrist can create orthotics that are tailored to your body's needs, with options ranging from intense sports support to ones that fit into your heels.
4. Calluses and corns
Corns and calluses are thickened patches of skin on your feet that can be troublesome if they get too thick. If the pressure is focused, hard and dead skin can grow in the shape of a cone and dig into your skin, causing the corn to develop. Applying pressure on corns while weight-bearing can be unpleasant.
While corns and calluses aren't life-threatening, the underlying cause of them might be. Corns and calluses can be caused by issues with your gait or the anatomy of your foot. If the pain is severe, your podiatrist may suggest cortisone injections to help relieve the discomfort.
5. Plantar fasciitis
In adults, plantar fasciitis is the most prevalent cause of heel discomfort. The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous connective tissue that connects at the base of each toe and joins to the heel bone. Overuse of the plantar fascia, which most typically occurs during weight-bearing sports like jogging or even prolonged periods of standing, can create tiny, recurrent rips in the fascia's fibers.
Plantar fasciitis patients generally experience severe pain in their heel, especially when they first get up in the morning and at the start of a walk or run, which may lessen as they warm up. Prolonged standing can also cause discomfort, which is occasionally accompanied by stiffness.
