Foot Care Tips For Diabetics

Posted on: 23 February 2021

Here are some very prevalent myths about podiatry.

1. You should only use a podiatrist's services if you've got a severe foot condition

Many people think that a person should only use a podiatry service if they have a very severe foot condition such as an enormous and excruciating bunion or severe arthritis. This is untrue. First, the idea of what constitutes a 'serious' foot problem is subjective and what might appear to be a minor issue to some people might be debilitating to the sufferer. For instance, while athlete's foot is thought of as a small problem by some, sufferers can be very badly affected by this condition. They might stop going to their favourite swimming pool or gym to avoid passing this contagious condition onto someone else. This sudden reduction in exercise might then affect their physical fitness and mental health.

Secondly, a podiatrist will hardly ever turn away a person who comes to them with what they think is a minor problem, such as a mild sprain. The only instance in which they might do this is if they know that it would be cheaper and easier for the person to treat it themselves at home. Even in these situations, the podiatrist would still give them their expert opinion on what at-home self-treatment they do should do. 

It's worth noting that 'minor' problems with a person's feet can get much worse without the intervention of a podiatrist. A toe fungus, for example, that seems painless and unproblematic at first, could result in a person losing their toenail if they don't use a podiatry service.

2. Podiatry treatments are usually painful 

The other myth about podiatric care is that it involves a lot of pain. People who've never been to a podiatrist may think that patients have to suffer while getting their ingrown toenails cut, their corns sliced off with surgical blades or their arthritic foot joints injected with corticosteroids.

Whilst podiatrists often have to use sharp instruments and needles to provide certain services, they will go to great lengths to minimise their patients' discomfort while delivering these treatments. They may, for example, use numbing creams or local anaesthetic injections on the patient's foot beforehand and will handle their sore foot as lightly and gently as possible. They will also ensure each patient understands that they can tell them if their discomfort gets to be too much for them to handle; if this happens, the podiatrist will stop immediately.  

To debunk more myths, contact a local podiatry centre.