08 Dec When to Call/See a Doctor
There are two types of people in this world. Those that call the doctor for every health issue they experience and those that wait until the last minute to seek medical attention. Deciding whether or not medical attention should be sought can often be difficult as each individual can tolerate a different amount of pain. When discomfort occurs, such as a problem in the foot or ankle, an individual may consider it a temporary pain that will hopefully “cure” itself. More often than not this is not the case, so how do you know when to see a podiatrist for your foot or ankle problem?
Your body will tell you if you have reached your threshold limit for pain as the ability to carry out daily functions will be limited. If pain persists longer than a few days, it would be in your best interest to seek a podiatrist. Paying attention to things that seem unusual to your body can be beneficial as this can help the podiatrist pinpoint the problem and how to go about treating it.
Symptoms will always be visible as changes in the nail or skin of your foot can be signs that you are dealing with a bacterial infection, and they will not go away by just avoiding the problem. Treatment for elimination of the bacteria from your body is the only way to fix a bacterial infection. If you are experiencing swelling, redness, tenderness, discharge, or pus from an area on the foot, a spread of infection, or pain that is not relieved from over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, it would be in your best interest to seek a podiatrist immediately.
It is one thing to want to tolerate pain in hope that you are able to move past the issue. It is another to be stubborn and not want to seek another person’s help. Knowing when you have reached your limit is key to any health issue as your body draws attention to what needs to be cured. If you are faced with any of the symptoms provided previously, make an appointment today.