Common Foot And Ankle Problems A Podiatrist Treats

Ever heard of a podiatrist? They are foot and ankle doctors. So, if you injure your foot or ankle, you now know who you should visit. Below are some of the most common foot and ankle problems that podiatrists treat.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that mainly affects the area between your toes. The symptoms of athlete's foot include blistering, cracking, itching, and peeling skin. To treat athlete's foot, the podiatrist may use antifungal creams, sprays, or powders. Visit a podiatrist to get an accurate prescription of oral antifungals for your condition. However, the best way to deal with athlete's foot is to keep your feet clean and dry.

Heel Pain

Your heel is responsible for holding your body's weight. Therefore, it is no surprise that heel pain is one of the most common foot problems that podiatrists deal with. The leading cause of heel pain is majorly attributed to using poorly fitting shoes, overuse, and over-stretching. Symptoms include heel bruises and heel spurs, inflamed Achilles tendon, plantar nerve impingement, plantar fasciitis, etc. Treatments your foot doctor might recommend include athletic taping, medication (for temporary pain relief), orthotics, and physical therapy.  

Foot Blisters

You have probably developed a foot blister or two in your lifetime. Foot blisters form when excessive foot friction causes your skin layers to separate. And as a protection mechanism, fluid fills this space forming a blister bubble. Blisters are best left alone since they protect your skin from further damage or infection. However, if your skin breaks, it's easy for the blister to get infected. If this happens, see a podiatrist, and they will ensure there's no underlying infection. You'll also receive advice on how to prevent blisters from occurring again.

Neuroma

The exact cause of neuroma is unknown. But what is known is that neuroma causes forefoot pain. So, if you ever feel like you're stepping on a pebble under the ball of your foot, that's probably neuroma. Here are the common symptoms of a neuroma: you feel as if there's a pebble in your shoe, pain that eases away at night, shooting pain whenever you stand on the ball of your foot, and numbing or burning sensation around your toes. If the pain becomes unbearable, visit your foot doctor, who will prescribe pain relievers or suggest physical therapy or orthoses, depending on the severity of your situation.

Concerned About A Foot And Ankle Problem?

Foot and ankle conditions are often painful and can inconvenience your lifestyle, especially when they're severe enough to affect your walking. If you're suffering from foot and ankle conditions, visit the nearest podiatrist and get treated.