A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating problems that affect the feet. After spending many hours on the move or standing up, your feet start to feel the pinch. Hauling all of that body weight around is not easy
If you experience any foot issues, it is not recommended to self-diagnose or self-treat at home. Trial and error methods where your health is concerned can be dangerous. You should see a podiatrist to find out the root cause of the problem.
You see the swelling and ankle pain that you are experiencing? A foot doctor can tell whether the problem is from another part of the body, or not.
Luckily, if you are in Tennessee, you won’t have to look far for a foot doctor because CE Foot and Ankle has a wide presence there.
Podiatrists do not necessarily have to be in their clinic or in the hospital to treat certain conditions. Here are 5 conditions that the foot specialist, or you, can treat out of hospital:
1. Athletes foot
This fungal infection affects the area between the toe and under the toe joint that has a soft skin. It causes inflammation on the skin, a white rash on top and a red base beneath the rash.
You will know that you have athlete’s foot when you feel the sweet itch between the toes. If you smell your finger after scratching the space, it will have a strong, foul smell.
You need not go to the hospital to diagnose this kind of problem. If you have such an arrangement with your podiatrist, call and explain how you are feeling. He or she will know that you have this condition and will tell you what medication to get.
The foot doctor will give you several instructions, such as cleaning and keeping your feet dry all the time. Dab the space between the toes with a dry, clean towel. Don’t forget to change your socks daily or even twice a day.
Your podiatrist might prescribe over-the-counter creams and sprays, which you will apply directly to the affected place. In the prescription, he or she can include a spray or powder to use on the lining of your shoes. This kills any lingering fungus.
While an athlete’s foot can go away on its own without treatment, sometimes, this fungus might spread to other parts of your body. This is why you need a podiatrist to diagnose and treat it.
2. Foot blisters
Foot blisters are very common. Mostly, they happen on the ball of the foot and the heel area. The blisters swell and fill with fluid. If you continue wearing shoes with such blisters, they will burst and turn to wounds, which can become infected by bacteria.
Loose shoes rub against the back of your heels and this friction causes blisters. If the shoes are too large, your foot keeps slipping inside as you walk. The areas rubbing against the shoe can start to blister.
No other condition causes blisters, well, unless you happen to have super thin skin on the ball of the foot area. Wearing shoes that are either too tight or too loose will cause blisters.
Even without a foot health specialist, you can treat blisters on your own, at home. If you call your podiatrist, he or she will advise you on a few things to do. These can be:
First, cover the blister with a bandage. Let it stay covered for a few days. During this time, do not wear closed shoes. You can wear open shoes to avoid pressing on the blisters.
Secondly, do not burst the blister to remove the fluid. That can cause an infection. You need to let the blister “ripen” and burst open on its own.
Unless you have diabetes, you should not really require medical attention because of blisters. However, you can cover the blister with an over-the-counter cream to prevent bacteria.
3. Foot pain
Many things could cause your foot pain, but not all pain types will need medical attention. You can treat some types with home remedies, but others require the advanced care of a specialist.
If you ascertain that your foot and ankle pain comes from standing for too long, lie down on the couch with your feet elevated. This is going to help the blood to flow easily from the legs to the heart.
When you are standing up, the heart has to fight gravity to get the blood circulating back. This is why most people’s feet swell after many hours of standing and walking.
If you have persistent foot pain, there is a possibility of a bigger problem, such as something being broken. Therefore, do not attempt to treat such pain at home.
If no bone or joint is broken in your foot, you can treat it at home easily. Start by applying an ice pack so that the swelling can subside. This is going to help a lot, and you can repeat the process if necessary. Rest with your feet elevated slightly above your heart, so that the remedy can work fast.
Conclusion
There are some foot conditions that can be treated out of the hospital. However, do not make that a habit. It is recommended to see a foot doctor as soon as possible. Of course, there are some foot issues that you should not joke around with. For instance, if you have a history of diabetes, see a podiatrist immediately if you get a foot wound.
