Should You See A Foot Specialist?
Do you have a foot problem, and if so, should you see a foot specialist? A foot specialist is a podiatrist with an area of specialties, such as toe alignment, the arch, or even the heel or ankle. If you have a specialty foot problem, you'll be referred to the foot specialist who can best treat you if a traditional podiatrist cannot.
It's wise to see a podiatrist regularly for your feet issues, even if you feel your feet are healthy. You should see your foot specialist much like you would see your general doctor, eye doctor, skin doctor, or even your dentist. Your feet are important, and the older you are the more issues you can have with them.
Do you need to see a foot specialist? If you're in any kind of foot pain or discomfort, the answer is yes. If you don't know, read on to find out for sure.
You have corns or bunions
Corns and bunions are unsightly and painful and won't go away on their own. You can wear special shoes and pads to help relieve the discomfort, but seeing a foot specialist will bring you the most relief. See a foot specialist as soon as you can. If you don't have one already, your general doctor may be able to refer you to one.
You have crooked or misaligned toes
You can be born with crooked or misaligned toes, or have this issue become more prevalent or severe with age. Shoes you wear, genetics, standing on your feet, or even arthritis and old age can cause your feet to have crooked or misaligned toes. Only surgery or other correction by a foot specialist can correct the issue, although arch and other supports you can buy online or at a department store can be temporarily helpful.
You have smelly feet or infected nails
Foot fungus is nothing to laugh at and can be hard to treat. If you have stinky feet or thick, brittle toenails, ask to see a foot specialist right away. You may have a fungus that is hard to treat and rapidly spreading and the longer you wait to treat the condition, the worse it will get. A foot doctor can treat foot fungus with laser treatments, medication, and other treatments.
A foot specialist can help you with these and other maladies. Foot discomfort and disease can happen to anyone, and a foot specialist can help you find the relief you need for your ailments.