Common Reasons Why You May Need to Visit a Foot Clinic

Most people tend to overlook their feet, despite the fact that these body parts are what take the brunt of supporting your entire body weight. It is only when foot problems start causing debilitating pain or become embarrassing that some people may consider paying a visit to a foot clinic. This, however, is not the best way of going about your foot ailments. It is always best to seek medical attention the moment you experience symptoms so as to prevent the ailment from becoming exacerbated. Here are some common reasons why you should pay a visit to a foot clinic and have your foot problem remedied by a podiatrist.

Athlete's foot

This type of fungal infection is not exclusive to people who engage in active sports. It will typically occur in feet that retain a lot of moisture, and thus, tends to present itself between your last two toes. Some of the symptoms of athlete's foot that you should look out for include redness, peeling of your skin, blistering, scaling of your skin and more. Athlete's foot can be picked up anywhere your naked feet are exposed to moist conditions; thus, it is always recommended to have on flip flops in public areas such as swimming pools, showers and more. When you visit a foot clinic, the podiatrist will recommend a fungal topical ointment to eradicate the infection and ease your symptoms. It should be noted, though, that wearing shoes that have not aired out sufficiently would simply re-expose you to the risk of reinfection.

Cracked heels

Cracked heels are another common ailment that people tend to ignore. This is largely because they simply tend to be an eye sore, rather than a painful malady. Granted, cracked heels are common in people who tend to wear sandals. This is because the heel begins forming calluses, and the pressure of your weight will eventually make the skin crack. However, if you are not a sandal wearer but are developing cracked heels, then it would be your best interests to visit a foot clinic. This is because there are other ailments that tend to have cracked heels as a symptom, and you would need to ascertain the cause of your own cracked heels. Some of the other ailments that would make you acquire cracked heels include psoriasis, eczema or an undetected abnormality in the structure of your heel. Left undeterred, you could end up with biomechanical instability in the fascia and bone of your heels. Your podiatrist will recommend the best way to deal with cracked heels depending on the specific cause.

For more information about these or other conditions, contact a local foot clinic like Morrison Podiatry Centre.