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. 

When you are suffering from foot discomfort and pain that persists for weeks, you’d better have it checked at Medical Foot Solutions to find the source of the problem. In most instances, when the pain is ignored, the foot condition is aggravated to necessitate more advanced treatment therapy. A team of professionals at foot solutions Oakville offers treatment for different foot conditions like flat feet, corns and calluses, heel pain and crooked toes.

During summer, plenty of families go to beaches. They walk barefoot to feel the sand. Unknowingly, they sustain injuries like cuts and punctures that may eventually develop into nasty infections. If there are puncture wounds, it is important to seek the services of the doctor at foot solutions Oakville for proper treatment. Do not ignore the wound because there might be some unsterile foreign objects embedded inside the foot.

A puncture wound has to be cleaned properly and monitored during the healing process. Complications like tissue and bone infections as well as damage to the tendons and muscles must be avoided. The doctor at foot solutions Oakville will order tetanus shot because puncture wounds can led to infections and illnesses. While cases of tetanus have become quite rare, it remains a serious threat to persons who have not been up-to-date with their vaccinations. Tetanus is a serious disease that can threaten your life.

It is important for people to wear beach shoes or flip flops in the beach, swimming pools and locker rooms to prevent the entry of bacteria and viruses that cause athlete’s foot, plantar warts and other foot conditions. Plantar warts are caused by HPV virus that enters the foot through tiny breaks and cuts. While plantar warts are not a serious concern, you have to see the foot doctor when the wart persists and multiples and interfere with physical activities.

The earlier the source of foot conditions is identified, the easier it is for the foot doctor to prescribe the necessary treatment. To avoid complications, it is important to check the feet for any suspicious punctures including signs of sunburn that develop on the feet. If you are suffering from diabetes, never go barefoot.