5 Reasons to See a Podiatrist Right Away

From broken bones to nail problems to fungal infections, podiatric care can help address a variety of foot and ankle conditions.

Our team of podiatrists at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, with offices in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, are experts when it comes to treating and diagnosing foot and ankle conditions, but it’s not always easy to know when you should try at-home treatments and when you should call our team.

Here are five reasons to see a podiatrist right away.

1. You’re in pain

Are you experiencing persistent foot or ankle pain that hasn't improved with rest or over-the-counter remedies? Podiatrists can address both chronic and acute pain.

Chronic pain

If you have persistent foot or ankle pain, don't wait. It might be easy to brush off mild pain, but seeking podiatric care is the first step to diagnosing and treating underlying conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or arthritis. Delaying treatment can exacerbate your discomfort and potentially injure your foot even more.

Acute pain

In addition to persistent chronic pain, it’s also important to seek immediate podiatric care for acute pain. Our team can treat a variety of foot and ankle injuries including sprains, strains, and fractures.

If you suffer an injury, apply ice, elevate your foot, and give us a call. Sometimes different injuries can share overlapping symptoms, such as swelling. The sooner you visit us, the sooner we can know what type of injury you’re dealing with.

Once we’ve confirmed if you have a fracture or a sprain, we can get started with the right treatment, whether that’s the RICE protocol, immobilization, or surgery.

2. Your ingrown nail is out of control

Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of your nail grows into the skin surrounding your nail. In some cases, soaking in warm, soapy water is enough to treat the problem at home. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Ingrown nails can quickly become excruciating and lead to infection. Warning signs of infection include swelling, redness, increasing pain, pus, and fever.

If you have an ingrown nail that isn’t getting better after a day or two, visit our office for safe and expert removal or laser treatment.

The exception: If you have diabetes, don’t delay. Infections can be harder to manage with diabetes, so getting swift care is your best bet when it comes to preventing infections and ulcers.

3. You have sudden skin changes on your feet or ankles

Keep a close eye on any changes in your foot skin or nails. Discoloration, thickening, redness, itching, growths, and ulcers all require care. Skin changes may hint at a variety of issues, including fungal infections, warts, skin cancer, or other issues requiring professional evaluation and treatment.

All of these conditions require different treatments, and in many cases, the earlier we detect an issue, the easier it is to treat.

4. Your bunions are getting worse

If you notice changes in your foot structure, such as bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet, early intervention can prevent deformities from progressing and causing more discomfort or pain.

5. You have diabetes and foot concerns

If you have diabetes, regular podiatrist visits are crucial. Diabetes increases your risk of foot problems due to neuropathy and poor circulation. Your Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, podiatrist can help prevent and treat issues like diabetic neuropathy, ulcers, and infections to avoid severe complications.

In other words, if you have diabetes, see a podiatrist right away if you have any foot concerns.