We spend a lot of time glued to screens these days, but we don’t spend enough time getting health care screenings. And because our feet spend all their time carrying us around, we owe them a bit of maintenance to prevent the pains of wear and tear. 

The nerves and blood in your feet are important to check up on; after all, as your lowest extremities, they are as far from your heart as they get! Your podiatrist might take some time to check your pulse in different regions of your feet, squeeze the tips of your toes to check for the speed of your capillaries filling, or use a very light touch to check your sensory reaction.

Toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and other infectious complications can quickly spiral out of control if they aren’t dealt with promptly. Your DPM will assess the situation and determine if specific treatments are required to halt the progress of the problem. Fungal infections are contagious, and they spread quickly, so preventative care really makes the difference.

Many patients are tempted to try and fix these on their own, but it’s generally a much better idea to get regular screenings and let a professional foot doctor determine the best course of action. Over-the-counter remedies that purport to remove corns and calluses will often burn the skin around them, leading to brand new infections in turn.

Your podiatrist will use screenings to determine whether you are wearing appropriate footwear and socks that do not create complications. Painful issues like bunions and hammertoes can result from the pressure of poorly fitted footwear, whereas the wrong socks create undue moisture and an environment that is more likely to lead to foot infection.

Senior feet require more supervision; as the skin gets thin, it loses its elasticity, and problems arise. Your DPM will ensure that no pain or other irregularities manifest in addition to the usual wear and tear. You might even end up with some nice orthotic inserts if you’re lucky!

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