Many changes in our lives are clearly. But sometimes change occurs gradually, until one day it’s suddenly right there, too big to ignore.

Many people are not proactive when it comes to foot health. Ignoring minor changes until they turn into a big problem can make you suffer later. It is always wiser to catch problems when they are small.

Start by being aware of these 5 common foot issues. If you notice one or more of these, see a foot doctor immediately.

• Your heel hurts. Heel pain, often due to a condition known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most common foot health complaints. It may begin as a burning sensation in the heel or slight ache in the arch but can quickly change to throbbing pain. This pain can make walking painful or even impossible.

• You’re walking abnormally. With age and activity, there may be changes in the foot structure. Changes, such as bunions, bone spurs, or toe stiffness may change how you walk. It is important to pay attention to these changes and have them examined before your abnormal walking starts affecting your hips, knees, and back.

• Your feel numbness or tingling in your feet. If you are experiencing unusual or unexplained changes in the sensations in your feet, it may indicate a serious underlying condition, such as neuropathy or diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can cause great damage to your feet and ankles. Untreated and infected wounds and sores may worsen to an extent that the foot may require amputation.

• Your toenails appear different. Thick and brittle nails are a sign that your feet may be infected with a fungus. Specific color changes could even be caused due to side effects of certain medications or as a warning sign of diabetes.

• You’ve got lesions on your foot. A lesion is any sort disruption of the skin, such as blisters, warts, or moles. The mole that you’ve had on your foot is harmless – until it starts to form rough edges or changes color. Keep an eye on any foot lesions or sores and have them examined right away, if you notice any unusual or unexplained changes or they become painful.

Pay attention to your feet. Be mindful of anything that’s different or unusual. Take it an experienced podiatrist diagnose and treat your feet and ankles. Many foot and ankle conditions can be avoided or prevented from worsening, if diagnosed and treated early.

If you are looking for the best plantar fasciitis and ankle injuries treatment in Phoenix, Arizona, call Oasis Foot and Ankle Clinic at 602-993-2700 Now. Oasis Foot and Ankle Centers offer cutting edge surgical and nonsurgical treatments for foot and ankle conditions and injuries.