Plantar warts -- warts on the soles of the feet -- are a serious podiatry issue that you shouldn't ignore. Remove them (or get them removed) ASAP, because they're infectious and can spread not only to other parts of your body, but also to other people.

Podiatry is good for more than fixing ingrown toenails. On the one hand, paying attention to your podiatrist's suggestions can help you keep your feet smooth and healthy; on the other, a good podiatrist can perform reconstructive surgery on your feet in the event of accident or deformity.

While you can always hunt up a podiatry clinic in the phone book or through networking, don't forget that your primary care physician is a good source of referrals -- and, in fact, your insurance may require that you get a referral from your primary physician before going to a podiatrist.