Podiatrists are also known as foot doctors or podiatric physicians and they are the medical professionals who study and treat disorders of the ankles, feet and lower extremities. Foot problems can refer pain to other areas of the body such as the lower back and joints. People who have systemic diseases like diabetes, circulatory ailments, anemia and kidney disease are prone to suffering from foot disorders.

In some cases, it is possible to manage foot problems at home with ice, heat and rest. If such problems cannot be managed, it wise for the afflicted person to consult with a foot doctor. By consulting with a podiatrist Austin TX residents can get relieved of pain, skin irritations, numbness and other symptoms associated with foot disorders.

Pain in the lower extremities, ankle or foot can result from several conditions. Examples include blisters that may be caused by friction, bunions that may become swollen and sore due to shoe aggravation and misaligned joints of the toes and heel pain that is felt when there is stress on the heel bone. Pain in the lower extremities can also be caused by wounds, broken bones, swelling and heel spurs.

You can also visit a podiatric doctor if you find that the skin of your feet appears discolored or is irritated. Some of the problems that may cause feet to become discolored include decreased blood flow to the lower extremities, gout, infections and vein disorders. If your feet appear blue or purple, your veins may not be functioning well. If your feet appear pale, your arteries may not be supplying blood to them properly.

A podiatrist can also sufficiently treat athletes foot or a similar type of skin irritation disorder. Athletes foot or Tinea Pedis is caused by a fungus and usually occurs in between the toes. If left untreated, it can spread to other areas. Its symptoms include dry, scaly skin, itching, inflammation and blisters. If your feet are numb, burning or tingling, you may be suffering from neuropathy. Neuropathy often causes reduced sensation in the feet and may affect diabetic patients. Consulting with a podiatric doctor regularly is essential if you have diabetes.

You should also see a foot doctor if you have growths in your feet. They can be either small or large and of different shapes. Growths usually cause pain and other undesirable side effects. The common types of growths that affect people include neuromas, warts, corns, calluses, bunions and blisters.

You may also consult with a podiatrist if the arches of your feet have flattened arches or if the shape of your feet has changed in any other way. Flattened arches indicate the presence of ruptured or dysfunctional tendons. The failure of tendons to function normally may cause bone misalignment, which can lead to arthritis.

Muscle imbalances in the feet can also cause structural changes which result in painful conditions like Hammertoe. Another common problem that a podiatrist treats is ankle sprains. The severity of the sprain determines the type and duration of treatment. The main symptoms of ankle sprains include pain, bruising and swelling. This professional may also recommend exercises, well fitting shoes and stretching to prevent future sprains.