5 Debilitating Foot Problems That a Podiatrist Can Treat

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The human foot usually comprises many working parts, such as ligaments, joints, bones, muscles, and tendons. It is an intricate body structure that requires preventive care to reduce your risk of devastating injuries. There are several illnesses, injuries, and chronic health conditions, such as diabetic foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis, and sports injuries, that can result in foot and ankle problems.

If these foot and ankle issues are left untreated, they can make you feel sore, weary, and uncomfortable. Fortunately, regular podiatry treatments can easily resolve your foot and ankle problems. In this post, we will look at the different foot problems Jamaica, NY podiatry addresses. Read on!

Table of Contents

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that commonly affects people living in warm and damp regions. You can also develop athlete’s foot by exposing your feet to contaminated surfaces such as communal showers, walking barefoot, public pools, and gyms, and wearing warm, damp shoes. You can also develop an athlete’s foot by wearing shoes or socks worn by someone with this fungal infection. The most reported symptoms of an athlete’s foot are cracking, foot blisters, stinging, peeling skin, and a burning sensation. To help manage your athlete’s foot, your podiatrist may recommend over-the-counter antifungal lotions, powders, or sprays.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is several foot conditions that are triggered by diabetes. People diagnosed with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing foot problems due to frequent blood sugar fluctuations and damage to their feet’ nerves. The common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are decreased feet sensitivity, numbness, difficulty walking, pain in the feet, and tingling. Your doctor may advise you to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to manage your diabetic neuropathy symptoms.

Blisters

Blisters are another major foot condition that occurs when fluid-filled pockets appear on your skin. Some common triggers of blisters are poorly-fitting shoes, running, frostbite, walking, frostbite, and sweaty feet. The most reported symptom of blisters is persistent pain in the affected site. To help you find relief, your podiatrist will advise you to apply a bandage on the affected area and leave the blisters to heal on their own.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails usually occur when your nail starts to grow into the nail groove, causing pain and discomfort with any foot movement. The main causes of ingrown toenails are trauma to the nail, family medical history of ingrown toenails, and wearing ill-fitting shoes. Patients suffering from ingrown toenails often complain about swelling, redness, and pain at the nail groove. Your podiatrist will recommend wearing proper-fitting shoes and keeping your feet clean and dry.

Bunions

Bunions are foot conditions on your big toe joint forcing your toe to turn inward. The most common causes of bunions are family medical history, polio, wearing poorly-fit shoes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of bunions include tenderness around your big toe, problems moving your big toe, and tenderness around the big toe. Your podiatrist may recommend using a bunion pad and wearing properly fitting shoes to help relieve your bunion symptoms.

Discuss Your Feet Problem with Your Podiatrist

Podiatrists are healthcare experts who treat issues with your foot and ankle. They also diagnose and provide treatment solutions for hammer toes, callous, heel pain, ingrown toenails, hammer toes, warts, and bunions. Early diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems will help prevent and reduce your risk of developing life-threatening health complications such as bone and joint disorders. Get started today and book an appointment with your podiatrist to find quick relief for your foot problems.