Top 4 Symptoms That Indicate It's Time To Visit Your Podiatrist
It's not uncommon for a person to first try to treat an injury or ailment at home. Since our feet are responsible for getting us around on a daily basis, it's not always best to wait and see if the affliction goes away on its own. Below are the top four symptoms that indicate it's best to make an appointment with your podiatrist.
Heel Pain
There are quite a few causes of heel pain and your podiatrist will need to perform an exam to determine which one is the culprit. Determining the cause is essential to knowing which treatment plan to follow. A few common reasons a person may experience heel pain are plantar fasciitis, cracked skin from excessive dryness, heel spurs, and Achilles tendinitis.
An Open Sore
There are several dangers associated with ignoring an open sore. Not only is it possible to get an infection around the sore, but an infection can also develop in the bone. If you suffer from diabetes or any other type of autoimmune disease, you are especially susceptible and will need to seek treatment from your podiatrist as soon as you notice any sore or wound near your feet and ankles.
Discoloration in Your Feet
Another cause for alarm is when you notice one foot is no longer the same color as the other. Often times the color is a good indicator of the underlying problem and your podiatrist will then be able to take that information and investigate further to create an action plan. In many cases a white foot means your limb is not getting the blood flow it requires, while a blue foot suggests an issue with one of your veins. If the foot is red, however, it is possible you have the beginnings of an infection.
Swelling or Numbness That Doesn't Go Away
There are quite a number of reasons that a foot or ankle could swell or become numb, so it is always best to seek treatment from a podiatrist when this occurs. In a diabetic, these symptoms may indicate nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Both cellulitis, an infection of the skin, and tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon, can occur in anyone, whether healthy or not. A person who has taken a fall may experience swelling and numbness as a result of a fracture or severe sprain. Additionally, something as simple as a vitamin B12 deficiency may be the culprit.
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