If you're like most people, you think of the podiatrist as someone to see when your feet are really ailing you. You might consider seeing one of these professionals if you think you have arthritis in your ankle, or if you're developing a hammertoe. And indeed, podiatrists can treat these issues. However, podiatrists do not treat only serious foot issues. They can also help with these seemingly minor foot problems, and in most cases, seeing a podiatrist will clear the problem up a lot faster than trying to do things on your own.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection caused by a species of fungi related to the one that causes ringworm. It thrives on the feet because they tend to be warm and moist, and fungi love warmth and moisture. There are over-the-counter products that can treat athlete's foot, and a lot of it comes down to good hygiene, such as washing your socks after every use and keeping your feet dry. However, many people battle athlete's foot for months or years on end before they're able to get it under control. Podiatrists can prescribe stronger antifungal drugs that will get rid of the infection faster, and they can also give you specific, targeted advice for keeping your feet clean, dry, and less appealing to the fungi.

Ingrown Nails

Ingrown nails don't usually seem like a big deal at first if they do not really hurt or seem to bother you. However, it is really hard to trim away ingrown nails properly on your own. Most people tend to accidentally trim their nails in a way that makes the problem worse, leading to infections and pain. If you instead see a podiatrist when your ingrown nails are still developing, you can nip them in the bud and keep things from getting any worse. The podiatrist can trim your nails in a way that keeps them from continuing to grow into your skin.

Bunions

Bunions are one of those things that some people assume are just a fact of life, especially if your parents had them. You may start developing them and just brush them off as a side effect of aging. But although bunions may not cause pain at first, they eventually will. If you see a podiatrist before they become painful or debilitating, they may be able to recommend a splint or orthotics that will keep your bunions from getting worse.

Though they do work on serious problems, podiatrists are not emergency practitioners. See them for your more minor foot problems, and you'll be less likely to develop serious foot problems in the future.

If you've noticed any of these minor foot problems or other problems, talk to a podiatrist in your area for more advice and information.