Our feet have 26 bones each. It is the most intricate part of our body that supports our weight whenever we walk, jump, and run. It helps us in our daily lives, yet many of us seem to give our feet less importance and care. Sometimes, we even take our feet for granted. Little did we know that if we suffer from any foot problems, it considerably impacts our daily lives. The good news is that we can make our feet better by seeking professional help from a podiatrist in Singapore.
What is a Podiatrist?
They are a medical specialist that treats foot and lower limb problems. Even though they are also doctors, a podiatrist did not go to traditional medical schools. They gain their skills and knowledge at specialised schools made for them. So, the title they attached to their name is not MD (Medical Doctor), but DPM. This suffix stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. It means that they took a different board exam to gain their license, but that does not mean they do not have basic medical knowledge such as anatomy.
Foot Problems that Require a Podiatrist’s Mediation
As mentioned above, our feet have 26 bones each, but despite those numbers, it can support the weight of our body. That is all possible because it has 30 joints and hundreds of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Due to its complexity, podiatrist exists so it could treat foot problems even better. Here are some foot problems that require a podiatrist’s medication.
- Foot Deformities
There are two types of foot deformities that you would encounter: bunions and hammertoes. The former looks like a bony bump that forms at the base or beside your big toe. It happens when you wear tight, ill-fitting shoes, causing the front part of your foot to move out of place. However, some cases of bunions are hereditary, and it starts to develop once a person reaches the age of 10. Meanwhile, hammertoes are foot deformities that happen when the middle toes curl down. You will acquire it the same way you develop bunions.
To treat this foot problem, a podiatry clinic in Singapore may recommend you to wear a custom insole first. If this does not work, then that is only time you need to undergo surgery. Nevertheless, surgery happens when you have a severe case of either bunion of hammertoes.
- Diabetic Foot Problems
If you have diabetes, then you are more prone to get various foot problems. It happens because when you have diabetes, your blood becomes thick and syrupy, blocking your blood circulation. If your blood continues to flow that way, you will eventually have peripheral vascular disease. It is a condition whereas your wound on your feet, and other body does not heal well. As its severity increases, there is a chance for a podiatrist to amputate your limbs. However, to not let such things happen, make sure to follow their prescribed medication.
- Corn & Calluses
This foot problem looks like a thickened skin that feels uncomfortable at first but eventually feels painful later on. Through that pain might affect your daily lives, it is not life-threatening. You can rest assured that nothing will happen other than discomfort.
To relieve the pain, you might want to try various home remedies such as moisturising your feet. However, before you apply moisturiser into your skin, a podiatrist needs to trim your corn and calluses away. While you are at a podiatrist clinic, you might as well ask them to prescribe you some medicine to smooth out the hardened skin. Most of the time, what they would recommend you contains salicylic acid since it can get rid of dead skin cells.
- Nail Infection
While for this foot problem, it happens when you reach adulthood, whereas your toenails become dry and brittle. If yours show these symptoms, you probably have a fungal infection. This condition means that there are fungi nesting on your nail, and it already reaches inside. Its number grows more in humid areas, and when that happens, your toenails start to crumble and look yellowish. Also, your feet would feel bad, and you develop another foot problem such as athlete’s foot.
- Plantar Fasciitis
This foot problem is also known as a heel spur or heel pain. When you have one, you will experience pain and discomfort near the heel of your foot. It often happens when you put too much pressure on your fibrous band. It is the connection between your heel bone and toes. Thus, to not let this happen, you must restrict your body movement and do not put much pressure on your feet.
- Blisters
People who develop blisters are those who often walk or run for hours. It happens when your feet experience so much friction, causing your feet to form a bubble-like skin. When you have one, make sure not to pop it by yourself. Let a podiatrist do it since it comes with flu-like symptoms.
- Sprained/ Broken Ankle/Foot
You may also go to a podiatry centre in Singapore when you sprained or dislocated your feet. You see, a podiatrist are an expert when it comes to sports medicine. Thus, they know better how to treat your foot injury.
5 Ways to Prevent Foot Problems
To not let any of these foot problems happen to you or to anyone you know, make sure to practice the following ways.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes
- Avoid Heels and Shoes with Narrow Toe Areas
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
- Practice Food Hygiene
- Wear Footwear Outside
In Conclusion
Even though some of these foot problems do not pose severe health risks, we should always take care of our feet. We should not take it for granted since we rely on them to carry out our daily routines. Thus, make sure to visit a podiatry centre in Singapore once your feet are in pain. Remember not to wait for it to get worse, and book an appointment at East Coast Podiatry!
