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Do It Yourself Foot Care: When to See a Podiatrist Rather than the Drugstore

You would think after walking the aisles of your local drugstore that many of your foot ailments could be solved by picking up product off the shelves without having to set – well, foot – in a podiatrist’s office. In reality, while some of these products may work to solve your problem, others may cause other issues for you. Here’s a run down of what to try and what to toss in terms of drugstore foot care remedies for the following ailments:

Blisters. These ailments can often be handled at home without the help of a podiatrist. Make sure that if the blister pops, you cover it with a sterile dressing or Band-Aid and monitor it to make sure it is healing properly.

Ingrown Nails. Drugstore remedies can often do more harm than good with ingrown nails. Doing it yourself may put you at risk for infection. Schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists to avoid the possibility of infection and have the nail removed. Letting a professional handle this problem may help you get rid of the problem for good.

Wart Removal. The medications you get from the drugstore are relatively mild and may be useful for some people in remedying this condition without visiting a podiatrist, however if left on the foot too long, it can cause ulcerations. Our podiatrists could utilize more effective medications or perform simple procedures to make your warts disappear. If you have neuropathy, you should NEVER use over the counter wart removers without the supervision of a podiatric physician.

Toenail Fungus. There are all sorts of sites on the internet that claim success in eliminating toenail fungus by using a variety of household products (bleach, duct tape, white vinegar to name a few), but there’s no science-based evidence to support these claims. We recommend scheduling a visit for the podiatrist to evaluate your foot and determine the best course of treatment for you.

Sprains and Strains. Initial treatment for these injuries can be done at home, using the RICE principle. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, if swelling is persistent after applying this principle, you should schedule a visit with the podiatrist’s office in order to determine the extent of the injury.  
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Unknown said…
I've read from people swear by mouthwash or saltwater foot soaking to get rid of fungal toe nails. Glad I read this instead of getting blue feet for no reason instead.

Paul | acpodiatry.com.au
May 22, 2014 at 11:24 AM
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