A quick look at a common nail condition you've never heard of
If you've ever had a hangnail, you know how irritating they are. Hangnails can be painful and getting rid of them is an exercise in trying to avoid an infection.
Ever visit a podiatrist? You should! There's nothing more frustrating than having foot problems and not being able to move around as you should. If you’re wondering when things are serious enough to get checked out, we’ve got five signs that could mean it may be time for you to make an appointment with your local practitioner:
Have you got aches and pains in your feet? If so, it may be time for a visit with a podiatrist. With 28 bones, 36 joints, plus over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments all working together to keep you mobile 24/7, some wear and tear is inevitable. 19% of men experience foot pain at some point during their lives and it can get up as high as 25% for women. Scheduling an exam will get to the bottom of those pains and get you mobile ASAP.
You should always be on the lookout for nail infections! With so many people getting their nails done at salons, it's not surprising that fungal infections are becoming more common. Left untreated these can lead to thick and discolored nails which may spread easily through contact with others. If you notice that you have thick and discolored nails, schedule an examination with your podiatrist.
You might think that Athlete’s Foot is just a gym-related issue, but you can actually get it anywhere. If your feet are sweaty and pressed up against tight shoes for an extended period of time, then this fungus can thrive there.
Athlete's Goot can be treated over-the-counter, but if you have an especially severe case of it, your podiatrist may prescribe a more powerful remedy that you wouldn’t be able to find in a drugstore. If you’ve had Athlete’s Foot for a while, or if your usual over-the-counter remedies aren’t working isn’t working, it’s time to consider making an appointment.
It's normal to have some soreness and even swelling in your feet, especially if you work on your feet all day. However - do not ignore sudden pain or tingling that lasts longer than a few minutes; see an experienced podiatrist for help immediately!
It might be tempting to remove your ingrown toenails yourself, but unfortunately “bathroom surgery” can go very wrong, and can be very painful. A podiatrist can make sure you feel little to no pain, protect you against infection, and provide medicine to help you heal quickly. It also isn’t wise to let an infected ingrown toenail grow too long, as toenails are very close to the bone, and bone infections may result in needing surgery.
The bottom line is, a foot problem might seem simple, but if it’s bad enough can affect your entire life! If you're experiencing any of these common foot problems or just want more information on how to take care of your feet, make an appointment today!
