Why Checking your Feet is Important

All diabetic patients that enter a podiatry office, are given lengthy instructions about checking their feet. We want them to check for new openings, redness, swelling, drainage, color changes, new moles, blisters, or any new change. However, checking the feet is important for all of us. I had a recent patient who came to the office with swelling and a new black spot on the bottom of the foot. Obviously, swelling is important, and it is essential to see why the patient has it. However, a new black, brown, yellow, white, purple or red spot is something that should also be checked by the foot doctor. Often, these color changes have a straight forward cause and treatment, but sometimes, they can be a form of skin cancer that needs to be diagnosed and treated. The bottom of the foot, in-between the toes, and nails are important areas of the foot where changes can occur, and people do not even notice. If you see something new or different on your foot, get it checked! Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580.