4 Common Foot Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

You use your feet for simple tasks like walking to complex feats like dancing or mountain climbing! Either way, your feet support your entire body and are subject to significant wear and tear over time. Did you know that your feet are an incredible source of detecting symptoms indicating underlying or developing health issues? It is true. Numbness, swelling, and discoloration are usually all indicators of serious health problems like diabetes, nerve damage, infections, and more.

When it comes to foot and ankle problems, patients are usually double-minded about whether to see a doctor or not. Most people think that foot pain is normal and it will disappear itself. While that may be true in some cases, we can surely tell you that it is not normal to have persistent or recurring foot discomfort. If such is the case, it is time to see your podiatrist immediately.

Moreover, you need to keep checking your feet regularly. If you notice or experience any of the following, consult your foot doctor immediately:

• Swelling: It is common to have aching or swollen feet after a long day of standing or being on the move. But sudden pain or swelling, for no apparent reason, can indicate a serious problem that necessitates a visit to your podiatrist.
• Check your toenails: Foot fungus tends to strike the toenails first and foremost. If left untreated, it can cause the nails to thicken, darken or chip off. Foot fungus or athlete’s foot is often treatable with lotions or sprays. However, a podiatrist can recommend a treatment plan to address the issue if the condition persists.
• Heel pain: Heel discomfort can be triggered by several factors such as bone spurs, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, inflamed joints or tendons, and more. Get some tests done and visit your foot doctor right away.
• Numbness or tingling: Restricted or lack of blood flow to your lower extremities can result in numbness. This condition is also a symptom of nerve damage or PAD (peripheral arterial disease). Loss of sensation in your feet should not be taken lightly.

Are you Diabetic? Type 1 and 2 diabetes patients are more likely to have foot problems such as poor circulation, nerve damage, ulceration, and infection. If you have diabetes, you should have a foot exam regularly to help avoid these potentially severe complications.

While resting, elevating, compressing, and stretching your feet daily is an effective way to ensure proper circulation and smooth movement, any discomfort should not be ignored.

Do not hesitate to contact the office of Dr. John C. Marzano at Westchester Podiatric Healing Medicine, P.C., in Yonkers, NY, for any questions regarding foot health routines. You can visit our office at 984 N. Broadway, Suite LL03, Yonkers, NY 10701, or call us at (914) 423-0600 for more information on the many services that we provide.