Have you been experiencing troubles with your feet or unsightly condition for a long time now? Before using an ointment or any medicines you just heard from somebody, you need to understand the real problem first. A suitable professional who can help you is a podiatrist, such as Feet In Motion. Check out their website to see more of their services that offer Feet In Motion.
What Does a Podiatrist Do?
Podiatrists are medical professionals who have been trained to diagnose and treat abnormal states of the feet and lower limbs. They render foot health services, including relieving pain, treating infections, using custom orthotics, and preventing and correcting deformities to keep patients active and mobile. Moreover, they are responsible for educating you and your loved ones on how to look after your feet, and which type of shoes you should use.
Common Foot Problems
Below is a list of common foot problems that podiatrists deal with.
1. Bunions
This condition is a bony bump, which occurs at the base of your big toe’s joint. It forms if some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place. The tip of your toe gets pulled towards the smaller toes forcing the joint of your big toe to stick out. A visible signal is a sore and red skin over the bunion. This illness can grow from the foot structure you inherited, medical conditions like arthritis, and wearing tight and thin shoes.
To help prevent bunions, choose the proper shoes. They must have a wide toe box, no pointy feet, and a distance between the end of the shoes and the tip of your longest toe. See a podiatrist if pain persists even after trying home remedies.
2. Corns and Calluses
These are thick or hard areas of the skin that could be painful. Though they’re not that serious, they need to be managed by a foot specialist if you have other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or other circulation problems.
Try following these tips to help prevent these conditions:
Soak calluses and corns in warm water to soften them.
- Wear thick, cushioned socks.
- Use soft insoles or heel pads on your shoes
- Wear wide, comfortable shoes with a soft sole and low heels that don’t rub.
- Moisturize to keep skin soft.
- Use a pumice stone or foot tile to remove hard skin regularly.
- Soak calluses and corns in warm water to soften them.
3. Sports Injuries
Any part of the body can suffer from an injury, such as the bones, muscles, connective tissues, and joints. But, the ankles and knees are more vulnerable to sports injuries. Some causes can be:
- Failure to warm up before exercising.
- An accident like a heavy blow or fall.
- Not resting after an excessive amount of exercise.
- Utilizing improper equipment or poor technique when working out.
You don’t usually have to visit a specialist in the event of a minor accident. The best thing to do is rest the affected part and apply an ice pack for the first 48 to 72 hours to prevent further damage and reduce inflammation. Most importantly, use painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain. In case of major injury, including dislocation or broken bone, go to the nearest podiatric clinic, visit the nearest podiatric clinic.
4. Toenail Problems
Toenail problems, including thickened toenails, ingrown toenails, and fungal nail infections, are common foot problems. While they are not serious, they may be painful and take a long time to treat.
Here are useful tips for managing these problems:
- Soak your foot in warm water thrice or four times per day for a few days to soften your toe’s skin and block the nail from growing into it.
- Keep your feet dry through the day.
- Wear wide, comfortable sandals or shoes.
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the pain.
