Although your feet bear the brunt of your overall weight, they still tend to be the one of the most neglected body pats. People will typically take their feet for granted until a serious ailment crops up that requires them to pay a visit to a podiatrist. As such, you will typically miss the signs that there is an inset of a problem that needs to be looked into post haste. Podiatrists work toward ensuring that any disorders affecting your lower leg, ankle and foot are diagnosed and treated in the appropriate manner. Here are some of the issues with your feet that you should not ignore.
Recurring pain in your feet
There are a myriad of conditions that could cause you to feel pain in your feet. These include the development of bunions, heel spurs, broken bones and more. In most cases, patients can typically pinpoint where the pain is emanating from. Based on area that is affected, your podiatrist can determine what is causing it.
For instance, if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, then you will feel throbbing in your Achilles heel. Alternatively, if you spend your day in high heels, you will typically experience pain at the arches of your feet. If your entire foot is aching and you cannot determine where it is originating from, it is pertinent to visit a podiatrist before the underlying reason becomes exacerbated. If you leave the pain unchecked, chances are you could develop other health problems in your body.
Foul odour from your feet
Suffering from foul odour is not only embarrassing, but in some cases, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Generally, foul odour, clinically referred to as bromodosis, will develop if you are not thorough with foot hygiene. The grime and moisture in between our toes provide prime breeding ground for fungi and bacteria to thrive. A podiatrist will typically prescribe an antifungal or antibacterial treatment to counter this and advise you to keep your feet aired. You may also be required to take some antibiotics depending on the extent of the foot infection.
Issues with your toenails
For some people, any anomalies with their toenails will result in them cutting them off and hoping for the best. However, if you have a fungus growing in your toenails, then this will not eliminate the problem. Typically, the first symptom of this is a white spot on your toenail that gradually becomes discoloured over time. If left unchecked, your toenails will thicken and start becoming painful on the nail bed. A podiatrist will prescribe the appropriate treatment and try to save your toenail if it is not too late.
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