5 Signs You Should See a Podiatrist

Your feet do a lot of heavy lifting! Even though they carry us from place to place, many people let foot troubles persist for longer than they should. Since April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, the foot experts here at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC wanted to share with you when it might be time to see a podiatrist.

If you are dealing with any of the following foot issues, it’s time to give us a call:

Persistent swelling or loss of feeling:

If your feet are constantly swollen or feeling numb, it could be a sign of something larger going on. Sprained ankles, fractured bones, tendonitis, or even a foot infection could cause swelling or numbness. If your feet are tingling or burning, it could be a sign of nerve damage, especially if you’re someone with diabetes.

Day-to-day pain:

Do your feet hurt every morning when you wake up or are they causing you pain when you’re doing daily activities? It could be a foot injury that hasn’t healed properly or even a fracture. Without podiatric treatment, it could get more and more painful.

A painful callus or corn:

Podiatrists treat corns and calluses on peoples’ feet daily. These areas of thickened skin can become painful if they’re left to grow and thicken further. There are several ways to remove the problem or treat the pain, discuss which is best with your podiatrist.

Toenail fungus:

Often people attempt to treat toenail fungus with home remedies or over-the-counter creams. Unfortunately, this typically just suppresses the symptoms, causing it to come back again and again. If you’re dealing with a persistent fungus, your podiatrist can nip it in the bud for good.

An open wound that doesn’t heal:

This is especially important if you have diabetes! An open wound left untreated for a long time increases your chances of getting a skin or bone infection. For some diabetic patients, this might lead to amputation.

Even if your feet are perfectly healthy, it’s a good idea to have regular podiatry visits. If you have any of the above issues or are dealing with any other foot ailment, or if it’s just been a while since your last foot exam, Dr. David R. Sullivan is here for you. Our conveniently located office in Westfield is open Monday through Friday. Head to our website or give us a call to schedule an appointment today.