What to Know Before Seeing a Podiatrist

When your feet are healthy, a podiatrist is usually the last thing on your mind. That is how it goes with our feet. We tend to leave them to their own devices as long as they keep us moving and perfectly balanced.

Well, a podiatrist will tell you that you should appreciate your feet by keeping them clean, dry and healthy.

THINGS TO KNOW WHEN VISITING A PODIATRIST

Sadly, our feet can develop problems that make us realize just how important they are. Next, we start to shop around for a foot specialist that is close to where we live or work. If you are looking to visit a podiatrist for a foot problem, here are some things that you need to know beforehand.

1. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE THE FEET PRESENTABLE WITH A PEDICURE

It is common courtesy to visit the dentist with a clean mouth. This rule of putting one's best foot forward extends to all situations that involve sharing personal space with someone providing a service – situations like massages and doctor's visits.

Now, a podiatrist will appreciate clean feet. But they will advise against getting a pedicure for their benefit, for a number of reasons:

When done in non-sterile conditions, pedicures increase the risk of foot infections
Pedicures usually come with a few coats of nail polish, which can hide an existing fungal infection
A podiatrist will need the unvarnished version of a patient’s feet to diagnose issues like corns, calluses and bunions

2. DO NOT FEEL THE NEED TO SHAVE THE LEGS AND FEET

Before visiting the podiatrist, let the hair on the legs and feet grow out. Hair growth is a sign of health and good blood circulation. It helps to diagnose foot problems associated with hair loss.

3. KEEP A LOG OF THE SYMPTOMS AND SHARE THEM WITH THE PODIATRIST

Like with any other doctor, a podiatrist will use a patient's input to inform their diagnosis. That is why it is a good idea to log one's symptoms over a period of time. This information will help the podiatrist to form a clear picture of what their patient is feeling.

While on the topic of documentation, a person should note down any important questions they may have. This way, they will remember to ask them while they are in the doctor's office.

4. FIND OUT IF UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM

The patient should give their podiatrist a list of any medication that they are on. They should also inform the doctor of any chronic health conditions that they may have. A full medical history will give the podiatrist information that may be useful in diagnosing and treating the feet.

Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, immune disorders and blood disorders can affect the health of the feet, so the podiatrist should know about them.

5. FIND OUT ABOUT FINANCING

Some health insurance companies will not cover the medical costs of someone who visits a podiatrist without a referral from a primary health physician. A patient should find out how much they will ultimately pay for treatment in terms of co-pays and other out of pocket costs.

BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR FEET

An affordable way to care for your feet is to maintain good overall health and to keep them clean and dry. You should also wear comfortable shoes and be quick to see a podiatrist if you notice a problem with your feet.

If you need medical attention for any kind of foot problem, get in touch. We will make sure that you have happy feet in no time at all.

Request an appointment here: https://footdoctorinsanjose.com or call Leonard Greenwald, D.P.M. at (408) 827-9483 for an appointment in our San Jose office.

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