Your feet play an integral role in the overall health of your body. However, many people will delay seeing a podiatrist for foot problems and complications until it’s too late. People might wait to visit their podiatrist because they don’t understand or recognize the signs and symptoms of some common foot problems that require a closer look.

To help you better understand when to visit the podiatrist, here are some signs and symptoms to look out for.

Painful Bunions

Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to extreme pain in many cases. Sometimes that pain will go away and other times it can remain constant. By wearing appropriate shoes that are wide enough to properly account for your toes, it can help alleviate the pain of bunions. However, because they are caused by a deformity in the foot, it is only a matter of time before you will need further treatment to improve the health of your feet.

Foot Swelling or Numbness

If your feet persistently feel numb or swollen, don’t ignore it. There could be a number of conditions associated with these symptoms. Some conditions that could exhibit swelling or numbness as symptoms are tendonitis, a broken bone, a sprained ankle or even an underlying infection.

Cracked or Bleeding Heels

A little extra attention and lotion to your heels can help improve dryness and cracked skin. However, the longer your heels or feet remain dry and split skin persists, the more problems you will experience. Over time this might lead to bleeding and pain. As a result, it could lead to infections and other complications, especially if you are diabetic. Contacting your podiatrist is necessary.

Thick Calluses or Corns

Corns and calluses are not serious foot problems. However, when corns and calluses are thicker than normal, it might be something more serious. This can be associated with gait or the structure of your foot. And it is all the more reason to visit your podiatrist for proper treatment.

It is important to visit us at Dr. Mark Forman’s office in Scottsdale, AZ to maintain proper foot and ankle health. But it is especially important if you notice any of these signs and symptoms.