Amelia Grant

Your foot is a quite complicated structure. It consists of numerous bones, ligaments, and muscles. When at least one part of this structure fails, you may experience a lot of trouble. That’s why your feet require proper care. To stay on the safe side, it is better to avoid self-treatment and visit a professional in case of any foot issues. In this article, we have gathered six weighty reasons to make an appointment with a foot doctor.

1. You experience foot pain

There are a lot of factors that can contribute to foot pain. The most common of them are simple tiredness and overuse of your feet. You can gently massage your feet and make a foot bath to relieve tense muscles. But if it doesn’t help, it can be a sign of some foot condition like plantar fasciitis, arthritis, gout, Achilles tendonitis, etc. In this case, you need to contact a foot doctor as soon as possible. 

2. You have a bump near the big toe

If you have noticed a bump near the big toe, it can be a sign of gout or bunion. Both these conditions affect the big toe but they require different treatment. Symptoms of gout and bunion include pain, inflammation, and redness. If you experience at least some of these symptoms, you need to make an appointment with a foot doctor. Otherwise, your symptoms can progress and interfere with your normal activities. 

3. Your feet are smelly and itchy

Unpleasant foot smell, itching, swelling, redness, blisters, and toenail deformities can be a sign of fungal infection (athlete’s foot). Even though there are a lot of OTC ointments, creams, and other options that can help treat an athlete’s foot, you need to consult a doctor before use. The point is that there are various types of fungi and you need to be sure that the treatment option will be effective against them. 

4. You have an ingrown toenail

Many people think that an ingrown toenail is not a serious issue and they can treat them on their own. Indeed, if your toenails don’t ingrow significantly and don’t cause severe pain, timely pedicure and wearing wide shoes can be an option. But if an ingrown toenail is extremely painful or it causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues, it’s high time to visit a doctor to reduce pain and cut out a toenail. 

5. You have painful corns and/or calluses

Corns and calluses are patches of dead skin that develop on the feet. They occur as a natural reaction of the skin to constant rubbing or pressure. Both corns and calluses can be easily removed at home with the help of a foot bath and a pumice stone. But some people have painful or inflamed corns and calluses that should be treated only by a foot doctor to prevent further complications. 

6. Your feet have changed their form

There are a lot of foot deformities that can develop asymptomatically. The most common of them are bunions, flat feet, high arches, hammertoe, claw toe, and mallet toe. Even though there are a lot of orthotics (both OTC and custom) that can help ease the pain and make walking more comfortable, only a foot doctor can treat these issues. You may need to undergo surgical treatment or physical therapy to improve the condition of your feet. 

The bottom line

It is important to understand that there are a large number of foot issues that can affect your feet. Indeed, if you experience foot pain or other symptoms, it can be quite difficult to maintain your daily activities. That’s why it is better to consult a professional foot doctor and treat your condition to avoid possible complications.