How to Tell When Your Loved One Should See a Podiatrist

Now that we’re past the holiday season, everyone can take a deep breath. All of the hustle and bustle of parties, pageants, and gift exchanges is done, so it’s time to catch up on everything that might have gotten lost in the holiday shuffle.

Of course, our modern world is a busy one and it’s easy to lose track of things even when we aren’t worried about finding the perfect gift or baking the best cookies. One thing you never want to lose sight of, though, is keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy and happy.

You care about your loved ones and only want the best for them, so we want to help you understand when your loved one should come in and see us here at Dallas Podiatry Works. The most obvious sign, of course, is when they tell you there’s a problem with a foot, ankle, or toe. Not everyone is quick to speak up, so you may need to bring a family member in if:

• They’ve sustained an injury. Feet are essential for many sports and physical activities, which also means there are ample opportunities for injury to happen on the basketball court or soccer field. It’s important to reach out and request an appointment with one of our offices when this happens. What starts as a minor problem can become a larger one when left untreated!
• They have diabetes. If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with diabetes, contact us to set up the earliest possible appointment. Whereas other medical issues associated with the disease receive more attention—like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failures, and blindness—foot care is incredibly important for diabetic individuals.
• They are limping. This is particularly important if you have kids or adolescentsat home. Children are not always quick to speak up about certain medical issues. In addition to limping, what you may notice is a sudden withdrawal from previously enjoyed sports and activities.
• They complain about pain. Too many people brush off foot pain as “not a big deal,” but fail to consider the fact that pain is the body’s way of pointing out a problem. With regard to foot care, don’t think that any pain is too minimal to receive attention. This is simply not the case. Remember, medical issues are generally most easily treated at their earliest stages. If a loved one complains about foot pain, give us a call!
• They have abnormally-colored skin. This situation can actually be considered an emergency if your loved one has diabetes. Redness can be an indication of infection. A blueish discoloration may indicate circulation problems. Should you observe abnormally-colored skin, it’s important to have the condition properly diagnosed.

Dallas Podiatry Works is here for all of your foot and ankle needs, but you have to take the first step. The good news is that it’s not a painful one! Simply give us a call. You can reach us at 972.566.7474 and our staff will be glad to help!