Our ankles and feet are emerging from hibernation as the temperature warms, but they might not be ready for footwear season. The reality is that many individuals put off visiting a doctor for foot or ankle problems because they don’t know what to do for treatment.
Many people believe that constant foot soreness is normal. However, it is not natural at all to have continual foot discomfort. You need to consult any podiatrist Irvine, if you notice a few signs that we will discuss in this article.
What a podiatrist is?
A podiatrist is nothing but a foot doctor. Also, they are known as doctors of podiatric medicine (DPM). An Irvine podiatrist will normally have DPM written after their name. Such kind of physician will treat our ankle, foot, and other connecting leg parts. They were also known as a chiropodist and often they are also still used.
Like any other physicians and surgeons, these podiatrists also complete 4 years of study in a certain podiatric medical school. After gaining some experience for a minimum of 3 years as a resident podiatrist in clinics and hospitals.
Finally, after clearing all the exams, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine will certify a podiatrist. Some podiatrists may continue further studies for more specialized training that will focus on a certain special area.
The following are the few signs when you must visit any Orange County podiatrist.
1. Pain, numbness, or swelling only in one foot
It is common to have aching or swollen feet quite often, but sudden swelling, pain, or numbness in a single foot for no obvious reason could indicate a significant problem that necessitates a visit to the doctor immediately.
2. Nail fungus
With the growing popularity of nail salons, the number of incidents of fungal infection in toenails has expanded tremendously. If you don’t cure the infection, your nails will thicken and darken, and you will risk it extending to your other toenails too.
3. Continuous heel pain
Any heel discomfort can be brought on by several factors. To establish the primary reason and develop a proper treatment plan, a podiatrist may perform an examination and obtain x-rays.
4. You think that you have sprained your ankle/foot
Although an orthopedist may be your first choice, a podiatrist has more exposure to treating foot and ankle ailments.
5. A reoccurring athlete’s foot case
It is the most common type of fungal infection, and it is usually treatable with over-the-counter lotions and sprays. However, if an athlete’s foot recurs, a podiatrist can recommend a more potent cream or oral treatment, as well as check for infection.
6. You are diabetic
Foot problems such as poor circulation, ulceration,nerve damage, and infection are significantly more common in people having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, you should see a podiatrist for your foot exam once a year to prevent these potentially serious complications.
7. An ingrown toenail
Often you might be tempted to attempt removing any painful ingrown toenail yourself or seek assistance from a nail salon, but it is safer to have it removed in the doctor’s office. If the nail is infected, a podiatrist might prescribe medicine and numb the region during your removal process.
8. Bunions
The bunion is a bony lump that forms on the exterior of your big toe joint. As the bunion grows larger, it can become progressively painful. An x-ray can aid in the diagnosis, and depending on the severity of your bunion, the podiatrist will offer treatment options.
9. Painful corns/calluses
These typical disorders, which are caused by thicker regions of dead skin, can become uncomfortable if the skin grows too thick. To relieve pain, a podiatrist might either remove the hardened skin or give a topical medicine.
10. Joint pain in your foot/ankle
Even if the pain in the foot or ankle is easily addressed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofenor aspirin, it is crucial to consult a doctor to establish the core cause of the discomfort–especially if the pain persists. The doctor and you can build out a long-term treatment strategy together.
When to act
If your feet isaching after you come back from a hectic day and recover after rest, then perhaps it’s not time to consult any foot doctor.
A few symptoms mentioned above may look more urgent compared to others, however, if the problem is intermittent, then it is better to get it checked.
The problem with your self-diagnosis
Since we are now living in an internet age, many of you may like to Google to find a proper solution to any foot or ankle issues. However, please understand, that many conditions of your feet may have similar symptoms hence it is better that you leave the matter to professionals.
We often get many patients who must have consulted ‘Dr. Google’. After that, they havediagnosed themselves with what is exactly wrong with them. Although many of them must have been doing the treatment that may be correct for any particular issue, often it may turn out to be different issue altogether.
