Podiatrists are doctors who have not gone to medical school; instead, they have their own educational and professional institutions and organizations. Surgery, resetting shattered bones, administering medicines, and ordering lab tests and X-rays are things that podiatrists may accomplish. They typically work with other professionals when a problem with your feet or lower legs emerges.

Regular checks by a podiatrist can help you maintain the health of your feet and ankles. Following are the instances when a Maryville, IL podiatrists can help you out:

1. One foot is numb, painful, or swollen; It’s normal to have painful or swollen feet at certain times, like after running a race or standing on your feet all day. Howerver, pain, swelling, or numbness with no apparent reason in one foot might suggest a problem that requires medical attention.

2. Fungus on the nails; as nail salons have grown in popularity, the number of occurrences of toenail fungus has skyrocketed. Your nails will thicken and darken if you don’t treat the infection, and you risk it spreading to your other toenails.

3. A case of athlete’s foot that just won’t go away. It’s a common fungal illness that can typically be treated with over-the-counter creams and sprays. If an athlete’s foot recurs, a podiatrist can prescribe a more effective cream or oral treatment and perform an infection check.

4. You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes; Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of foot problems, including poor circulation, nerve damage, ulceration, and infection. If you have diabetes, you should get your feet examined once a year by a podiatrist to avoid these potentially catastrophic problems.

5. A toe with an ingrown toenail. You might be lured to remove a painful ingrown toenail yourself or seek assistance from a nail salon. Still, it’s safer (and less painful) to have it removed in the doctor’s office. If the nail has grown infected, a podiatrist might prescribe medicine and numb the region during the removal process.

6. Corns or calluses that hurt. These typical disorders, caused by thicker regions of dead skin, can become uncomfortable if the skin grows too thick. A podiatrist might either remove the hardened skin or give a topical medicine to relieve the discomfort.

7. Inflammation of the joints of the foot or ankle. Even if the pain in your foot or ankle is not readily handled with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, it’s crucial to contact a doctor to establish the core cause of the pain–especially if it persists. You and the doctor can build out a long-term treatment strategy together.

To sum up, podiatrists specialize in issues involving the foot and lower legs. They can aid in the treatment of injuries, as well as the effects of chronic conditions such as diabetes. From minor ingrown toenails to catastrophic injuries requiring surgery, podiatrists treat various ailments. So, if you are facing any such issues, don’t delay in reaching out to a podiatrist.