Eight health problems your feet can tell you about

Mark
Written By Mark

Your feet offer you great benefits, not limited to carrying you from one place to another. Your feet can be a window into your body, and podiatrists can often detect a wide range of serious health problems just by looking at your feet, so do not ignore the changes that may appear on them. suddenly.

Emma McConachie, a spokeswoman for the UK’s Royal College of Podiatry, confirms to The Independent that podiatrists treat more complex cases of ingrown toenails and warts. They can detect a wide range of health problems from the signs that appear on patients’ feet.

McConachie highlighted some health issues that may be discovered by observing the health of the feet:

1- Blood circulation problem

If you notice a recent change in your feet and ankles, such as visible swelling or a blotchy color, this could be a sign of circulation problems. “Changes may occur in just one foot or in both,” McConachie explains. “If you notice any changes in the size or color of your feet and ankles, call “With your doctor.”

McConachie adds: “There are many circulatory conditions that can also cause a change in the temperature of your lower extremities, so if you notice a sudden and prolonged change in the temperature of one or both of your feet or legs, talk to a podiatrist or your general practitioner to have the problem checked.” .

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2- Heart disease, diabetes, or neurological conditions

Changes in sensation in your feet, such as tingling or numbness, can be a sign of many different health problems. Circulation problems caused by conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, or problems caused by smoking or drinking, can cause nerve endings to stop working properly, causing you to lose feeling in your extremities.

Neurological conditions and trauma can also affect the way nerves work, McConachie explains. “This leaves you unable to tell if you are injured or have a cut, which greatly increases your risk of infection and amputation. Try to notice where the changes are occurring in your feet,” she says. If anything makes it worse or better, how do you describe the feeling and how often does it happen? This can help your podiatrist evaluate your problems and work on a diagnosis.

3- Kidney or liver problems, hormonal changes, or skin problems

Itchy feet can be a sign that you have a fungal infection or that you haven’t moisturized your feet enough, but it may also indicate broader health problems.

“These could be kidney or liver problems, or hormonal changes,” McConachie says. “Some prescription medications have also been reported to cause itching in the feet and legs as a side effect, and small fluid-filled skin areas associated with skin conditions may also be a cause.”

4- Tumors

A change in nail color occurs due to trauma that may occur to the toes, which releases a small amount of blood under the nail, and may cause a fungal infection that changes its color to orange-brown, and the nails often become thick.

In other cases, a change in nail color may indicate melanoma, a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes.

“Subungual melanoma accounts for up to 3.5% of all melanomas worldwide, with up to 90% occurring in the thumb or big toe,” says McConachie. “Melanomas can affect any skin tone, and are often “It appears as a darker discoloration under the nail and does not grow with the nail.”

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Anyone concerned about toenail discoloration should talk to a podiatrist, and McConachie says taking a close-up photo of the toenail for reference is also a good idea to help you know if what It was getting worse.

5- Dehydration, blood pressure, cardiovascular or thyroid problems

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and McConachie confirms that peeling or cracking of the skin on the feet may be a sign of various health problems. “Dryness can cause the skin to become less supple,” she says, “but underlying medical conditions such as blood pressure problems, cardiovascular disease Blood circulation, thyroid problems can all have an impact on the skin on your feet and legs.”

6- Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis can affect the feet and nails, and they may have a different appearance than you expect as a result. Many cases of peeling or cracked skin are caused by athlete’s foot or a lack of moisturizer, but McConachie advises: “If you use a moisturizer daily for a few weeks without improvement, or experience itching, talk to your podiatrist to have your condition evaluated.”

7- Neurological conditions including strokes

Sudden changes in the shape of the foot can also indicate a wider health problem. “This is usually a condition where the foot becomes claw-like after a neurological problem or trauma, for example a stroke, which can cause Suddenly changing the shape of the foot.

Conditions that have caused loss of sensation in the feet, such as diabetes, can lead to sudden changes in the shape of the foot, which may be a condition called Charcot foot, which is a condition that causes weak bones in the foot and can occur in people with significant nerve damage.

“If you have any sudden changes in the shape of your foot, especially where you have underlying health conditions or issues with sensation or circulation, talk to your podiatrist right away to get checked out,” McConachie advises.

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8- Pernicious anemia or type 2 diabetes

Recurring fungal infections of the skin on the feet despite treatment, recurring bacterial infections and sometimes even ingrown toenail problems that aren’t resolved with treatment may be a sign of something else, McConachie warns.

“All of these things could be a sign of an underlying problem in the body,” she says. “Your podiatrist may discuss further testing if he or she has concerns about your health. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes and pernicious anemia may be present, which may not be “There are other obvious symptoms that way sometimes.”

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12, according to the Cleveland Clinic website.