Red Flags That You Need to See a Foot Specialist

by Kevin Smith Author

The human body is an amazing, complex, and sometimes fragile machine with so many moving parts it can be hard to keep track of everything. In fact, many people suffer needlessly from injuries and pain because they simply tune them out or ignore them until the problem worsens significantly. Rather than accepting unnecessary limits on your life, comfort, and activity levels, take charge of your health and watch for red flags that mean you should see a doctor. Read on to learn about red flags that indicate something is wrong with your feet or their supporting structures, and nip any problems in the bud with the help of a foot specialist in The Woodlands, TX, so you can enjoy your body’s full range of abilities.

Numbness or Swelling on Just One Side

For many people, swelling in the feet or experiencing a little numbness can be completely normal. Hiking, tight shoes, or elevation changes are common culprits. If your numbness or swelling are just on one side, however, it is worth getting things checked out.

Toenail Problems

Common toenail problems include nail fungus and ingrown toenails. Rather than ignoring these painful or unsightly issues, have your nails checked by a specialist. Often, the fix is pretty simple, allowing you to go back to your pain-free lifestyle.

You Can’t Bear Weight

From sports injuries to simply stepping off the stair wrong, mild and short-term pain in your foot or ankle might not mean anything. If you can’t bear weight at all, however, and walking is impossible, it is better to be safe than sorry and have a doctor check things out. Trying to walk around on an injury like that is not only extremely painful, but it can worsen the problem and create even more issues down the line.

Signs of Infection

If your feet show signs of infection, which may include redness, swelling, feeling hot to the touch, fever, or tenderness, the situation can easily worsen. Set up an appointment and follow all instructions for antibiotics or other treatments closely.

Any Discomfort You Don’t Want to Live With

Even if your foot problems aren’t found on the above list, if you’re experiencing discomfort that you don’t want to live with indefinitely, go see a foot specialist in The Woodlands, TX. They can help you identify the problem, come up with a treatment plan that works for you, and decrease your pain, discomfort, or other unwanted symptoms.