Almost every adult will have pain in their foot at least once in their life. It could be due to extra walking that day, stretching too much or bunions forming. Even though pain can be normal, such as when you start an exercise program, there are times when it is important to see a doctor to find out why you have a problem and how to fix it. Learn when to see a podiatrist in Chicago IL.
Non-Healing Sores
Having a wound or open sore on your foot isn’t fun, but it can happen. It is important to keep it covered as much as possible to keep away bacteria and keep it clean. However, if you notice that the wound doesn’t heal within a few days or at least start to recover, you’ll need to go to the doctor to find out why, especially if you have diabetes.
Discoloration
If you’ve stubbed your toe, it is normal that it would discolor. However, if you notice that one foot has a lot of discoloration, there could be a severe problem. Redness in the feet could indicate gout or an infection while purple or blue colors indicate vein problems. White or pale feet could mean that your feet aren’t getting enough blood flow.
Swelling/Pain
It is rarely normal to have swelling in only one foot. While it could happen if you sprain or break your foot, this is not an ordinary problem that will likely go away on its own. A visit to your Chicago IL podiatrist is usually the only way to determine the reason for the swelling and pain and help reduce it.
Numbness
Diabetics and others that have tingling, burning or numbness in their feet usually find it to be the first signs of neuropathy, which means there are decreased sensations in the feet. This disease needs to be treated and watched by your doctor to ensure that no other problems occur.
Lumps And Bumps Forming
Just as you likely check your body for unexplained bumps or lumps, you should check your feet. If you have pain in the lump or it gets larger over time, you should check with your foot doctor. It could be something simple, such as a cyst, but it could also be something serious, such as a tumor. While tumors are rare in the foot, it could happen.
