Our feet work hard for us all day. The average American walks about 3 miles a day. With all this pressure on our feet, it is sometimes inevitable to experience foot pain. A podiatrist can help treat or prevent certain foot problems. Below are 7 types of foot problems you shouldn’t ignore. 

Ingrown Toenails

If you have ingrown toenails you know they cause a lot of pain. However, not only painful, but ingrown toenails can also cause an infection. Ingrown toenails are prevalent in sweaty feet because the skin softens and the hard nail easily grows into the softer skin. Tight shoes and socks put pressure on your feet and cause the nail to grow further into the toe.

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail will continue to grow into the skin and cause an infection. If you have an infection you will notice puss in your toe. 

A foot doctor in NY can diagnose your ingrown toenail through a physical exam. Sometimes an x-ray may be necessary if the nail has grown far into the skin. A podiatrist can remove the ingrown toenail and prescribe medication to treat the infection.

Bunions

A bunion is an inflammation of the big toe joint. The big toe pushes on the other toes and causes the bone to push outward at the side of the foot. Bunions cause pain and are caused by tight shoes or may be hereditary. A foot doctor can diagnose and treat your bunions through the padding, injections, or bunion surgery. 

Pain on the Top or Sides of the Feet

If you experience pain on the top or sides of your feet there may be a few different causes so it is important to see a foot doctor to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Some causes of your pain may be tendonitis caused by overuse or tight shoes, stress fractures on the top of your feet causing swelling, or bones spurs which are painful growths in the joints. 

A podiatrist can diagnose your foot pain with a physical exam, some questions about when you experience pain, what makes it better or worse, or through the use of x-rays. The foot doctor will choose an appropriate treatment based on the cause of your foot pain. This may include a cast, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, or, if necessary, surgery. 

Pain in the Morning

If you experience shooting pain in your feet first thing in the morning you may have plantar fascitis. Over 2 million Americans are diagnoses with plantar fascitis a year. The plantar facia is a band of muscle that connects your toes to the heel. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this muscle. 

If left untreated, the plantar facia gets inflamed and the muscle tears. When you stand on your foot, this muscle is stretched and this tension and tears cause pain in your feet. A podiatrist will treat your plantar fascitis by prescribing certain exercises, orthotics, or surgery. 

Pain in the Ball of the Foot

Pain in the ball of the foot is a sign of Metatarsalgia. It is caused by running, jumping, or tight shoes. Symptoms include pain in the sole of the foot, numbness, or feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe. 

If changing your shoes and rest do not alleviate the pain in the ball of your foot you should seek help from a foot doctor in New York. If left untreated the pain can move to other parts of the body such as the hip. A podiatrist may prescribe stretches, insoles for arch support, or surgery if other treatments are ineffective. 

Corn Pain

A corn is a patch of rough skin on your feet from rubbing against shoes or other toes. When touched, corn is usually painful. A podiatrist can remove the corn with a quick and painless procedure. You do not have to live with painful corns on your feet. 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the feet is caused by the wear and tear of the joints. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, swelling, or difficulty walking. A foot doctor will diagnose osteoarthritis by looking for swelling in the joint and some range of motion tests. To treat osteoarthritis, the foot doctor may prescribe some medications, injections, or surgery if the disease has progressed significantly.