Signs you need to see a podiatrist

When you think about it, feet are pretty important. Pain or other problems with our feet can affect our mobility and impact our quality of life significantly. Yet few of us give our feet the care they deserve.

"People ignore their feet. They often don't give them the attention they need. And they also don't look at them, so because they're not regularly looking at their feet they don't see issues developing," says Emma McConnachie, podiatrist and spokesperson for The College of Podiatry.

Time is of the essence

However, even with more straightforward foot injuries and problems, waiting for too long can exacerbate the problem. "Many patients will come in and tell they've been suffering for months, but thought their foot problem would get better on its own. Unfortunately, sometimes this can mean it's gone from something that could have been very easily fixed to a bigger issue," explains McConnachie.

And making sure you get that niggling pain checked out could be more important than you think. Pain, injury, or other changes to your feet may be signs of a more serious problem elsewhere in the body.

Common problems

There are several common conditions that can lead to foot pain - one of the most prevalent causes a pain in the heel. "A common condition is one called plantar fasciitis - that's a strain underneath the foot," says McConnachie.

"We also see people with discolouration of a toenail, or skin changes. People also complain of one foot becoming different from the other - in size or shape, or even skin condition or temperature."

When to act

Clearly, if your feet are aching after a hard day and recover after rest, it's probably not yet time to visit a foot doctor.

Some of the above symptoms may seem more urgent than others - but even if a problem is intermittent, it's important to get it checked out. "It can often seem like just a little niggly thing, but if something's repeating then your body's telling you something. It's worth listening," McConnachie advises.

The problem with self-diagnosis

In our cyber-obsessed times, it's tempting to turn to search engines for diagnosis. However, as many conditions of the feet can have similar symptoms it's better to leave it to the professionals. "We get a lot of people in who've consulted 'Dr Google' and have self-determined what's wrong with them. And although they have been doing the correct treatment for that particular issue, it turns out they have a different condition altogether," explains McConnachie.

Patient picks for Heel and foot pain

Foot care

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the bottom of your foot, usually around the heel and arch of the foot. It's caused by irritation and damage to the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes.

by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP

Foot care

Flat feet and fallen arches

Flat feet are just as they sound - feet that are flatter on the undersurface (or plantar surface) than they should be, because the arches (insteps) have dropped. This can (but does not always) lead to pain and tiredness in the feet. It can also cause problems in the ankles, legs or back.

by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP

A serious issue

It's easy to think that pain in the foot is simply an indicator of damage or injury to that part of the body. However, in some cases, changes in this area can indicate problems with the circulation, or - rarely - could even be sign that someone has had a stroke. Whilst we often overlook the importance of our foot health, having a foot symptom looked at could prove a fast-track to diagnosis and treatment of a serious condition.

Those with diabetes or a family history of diabetes or circulatory problems need to pay special attention to their feet. Problems with blood supply can occur when diabetes is not properly managed - and for those suffering from or at risk of this condition, injuries or changes in the feet, however small or insignificant, should be seen by a specialist quickly to avoid further complication.

Making an appointment

Podiatry is available on the NHS, but accessing the service may be different depending on where you live. Some NHS practitioners will require a GP referral; others will allow you to make an appointment directly; others still will not be allowed to see you unless you fall into certain categories (age, underlying health conditions etc). There may be different requirements if you are suffering from a long-term health condition such as diabetes. "If you want to see an NHS podiatrist, check with your local NHS Trust to find out what's required," advises McConnachie.

If you call your GP, they will also be able to offer you advice - and may well be able to offer you a letter of referral on description of your symptoms.

Going private may offer a quicker route to being seen, depending on local availability. Although this will require payment, many people find the service affordable - and you can book directly without a GP's letter. The College of Podiatry has a 'find a podiatrist' search tool on its website that may be useful. You can also find a podiatrist via Patient Access.

In difficult times, when there are so many seemingly more pressing worries, it is tempting to ignore a problem with your foot - hoping it will go away, or assuming treatment can be sought at a later date. However, as foot problems often worsen when ignored, and can be a sign of more serious disease, it's important to make sure you take appropriate care.