pain caused by your feet

Many people stay on top of their health by visiting the dentist regularly and seeing their doctor for an annual physical. When it comes to your feet, it's important to take the same proactive approach. Visiting a podiatrist, like Allied Ankle & Foot Care Centers PC, can help you manage a wide range of foot-related issues. This foot specialist is trained to not only diagnose a multitude of foot conditions, but also provide you with the tools to nurse your feet back to health. Not sure how to proceed? Here are three foot issues for which you can receive treatment from a podiatrist.

Painful Corns And Callouses

If your feet have corns and callouses that make it painful to walk, stepping foot in a podiatrist's office can be the first step toward walking without discomfort. Your podiatrist can not only shrink the size of these painful buildups of skin, but also analyze your gait and determine if you're walking in a manner that is creating the corns and callouses. He or she can then suggest the proper footwear for your gait and foot shape, while also providing you with access to pads and other shoe-related accessories that can limit friction and prevent the further growth of corns and callouses.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that you can develop even if you aren't an athlete. It's characterized by red and itchy skin, often between your toes. A podiatrist can provide the right anti-fungal ointment to help take care of the infection, and then suggest a variety of habits that you can change to avoid future occurrences. For example, the podiatrist will likely suggest that you change your socks a couple times per day, especially if you sweat heavily, to keep your feet in a dry environment. He or she might also advocate getting rid of your old pair of running shoes, which could be laden with bacteria.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition in which the tissues that run along the soles of your feet and connect to the heel get stretched and sore. It's common in people with Achilles tendonitis and in people with fallen arches and causes pain while walking, particularly in the heel. Your podiatrist will inspect your feet to determine the exact cause of your plantar fasciitis and determine if any other related conditions, such as heel spurs, have developed. You'll often then receive topical cream that can help manage the pain, and you might also get fitted for custom shoe orthotics that can prevent the issue from developing in the future.