When did you last seriously look at your feet? If you are like most people, you probably never look at your feet unless you are wearing shoes or putting on socks. And even then, it's a short glimpse before heading out of the house. 

Unfortunately, because most people don't look at their feet, they don't see issues developing. By the time they notice, the issue is an emergency. This isn't the best way to treat the body part responsible for your mobility. Check out these three reasons for visiting a podiatrist. 

You Have Persistent Pain

Any persistent pain on your feet isn't normal. Your body is alerting you there is a problem. Perhaps the pain is caused by a strain, sprain, or broken bone. In that case, a podiatrist will diagnose your injury and administer the right treatments. They may also put a flexible cast on your foot to promote fast healing. 

If the pain is on your heel, the problem may even be more complicated than you think. It may be that one of the tendons connecting to the heel is inflamed, or there is a bony growth on your heel. Visit your podiatrist immediately for a professional diagnosis and treatment. 

You Have a Stubborn Corn, Callus, or Bunion

Any outgrowth or irregularity on your feet shouldn't be taken lightly. If you notice a stubborn corn, callus, or bunion, even if it's just minor, it's time to call your podiatrist. Generally, corns and calluses are areas of built-up skin that often occur due to friction from wearing wrong-size footwear. Your podiatrist can use a surgical blade to reduce their size and then give you treatments to heal the area completely. 

A bunion is a painful bulging usually located on the joint of your big toe. It can be caused by wearing poorly-fitting shoes, bad walking habits, or even inherited conditions. Some treatment methods used by podiatrists for bunions include foot exercises, orthotics, splints and spacers, and bunion surgery. 

You Have Ingrown Toenails

If toenails are growing into your skin, you need to act fast, as ignoring them can lead to a serious infection. However, resist any temptation to file or cut an ingrown toenail as this could accelerate the infection or cause more damage to your toe. 

A podiatrist will assess your ingrown toenails to determine their underlying cause. This can help you prevent them in the future. Depending on a toenail's size and severity, they can use a simple in-office procedure or an extensive surgical procedure to get rid of it.