A podiatrist, or foot specialist is a physician that specializes with anything to do with the foot and ankle area. If you have a break or sprain, or other foot issues, you should seek help from a specialist. If you aren't sure when you should seek help from a specialist, or just go to your regular physician, read on for a few signs that it's time to get to the podiatrist to help you with your foot issue.

1. Your Foot Isn't Healing Properly

If you've had a sprain in your foot, and it's been awhile, but it hasn't healed yet, you should seek help from a specialist. Your foot may have actually been broken, not just sprained, and it isn't going to heal properly because the bone needs to be reset. If you suspect your sprain or other injury was something more, get to the podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and for treatment options. You may need surgery, a cast, or some other form of treatment you didn't have the first time around. 

2. You Have A Reoccurring Issue

If you have peeling feet, burning or itching feet, or you have warts on your feet that are all reoccurring, you should seek help from a podiatrist. You may need something more than just an over-the-counter remedy to help heal your feet. You may need prescription medication to heal your feet properly. Your foot issue may also have more to do with something else going on in the body, such as an immunodeficiency, that needs to be treated as well.

3. Your Feet Are Constantly In Pain

If your feet are always in pain, you could have a few different issues wrong with your feet. You could also be wearing the wrong type of shoe, or it could have something to do with being overweight. If you have constant foot pain, you should seek help from a podiatrist to get to the bottom of the issue to see what is causing your foot pain, what can be done in order to treat it, and how to prevent it from returning. If you have pain because of a bunion or because of a plantar fasciitis, you may need surgery in order to treat the issue, but you have to be diagnosed properly.

If you aren't sure if you need a foot specialist, use the information above to guide you. If you have a foot-related issue, it's always best to seek help from a podiatrist. Make an appointment with a podiatrist to treat your foot issue properly.