It’s often hard to pay attention to your feet’s health since they spend the majority of their life tucked away in shoes or socks but the truth is that they can be an important indication of our overall health and give an insight on what’s actually going on in our bodies.
In fact, most doctors often consider the patient’s feet as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint health problems in other parts of your body. So it’s time to take a better look at your tootsies and try to understand what they’re actually trying to tell you.
Dry, cracked skin
If the heels of your feet are cracked and suffer from severe dryness, then you have a thyroid condition. Doctors often consider dry, flakey skin around the feet as a thyroid warning sign but it doesn’t always have to be the case. Many people suffer from the cracked heels especially in winters when the dry weather strips your body of its natural moisture or when you’re not drinking enough water to keep your skin hydrated.
However, if you notice this condition along with the other signs of thyroid imbalance such as blurred vision, numbness in extremities or weight gain, you must consult your doctor immediately before the condition gets any worse.
Shedding Toe Hair
Toe hair are as common in women as they are in men although they tend to thinner and shorter on women, making them less visible. If you notice that the hair on your toes have begun to shed or have completely disappeared, it may signify poor blood supply to your extremities such as hands and feet.
Inadequate blood flow is an alarming sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) which causes a buildup of plaque inside the arteries, restricting blood supply to the farthest parts of your body. If not treated in time, PAD can result in a stroke or heart attack. Restricted blood supply to your feet can also cause your foot to slowly die due to inadequate oxygenation resulting in amputation.
Numbness in Feet
Foot numbness is also another sign of PAD which occurs due to restricted blood supply, but don’t get too alarmed if your foot suddenly goes numb after sitting in the same position for too long because that is completely normal.
However, if this condition occurs regularly, then its time to listen to what your foot is trying to tell you about your health and go see a doctor immediately. Numbness is feet is also a common symptom associated with the onset of diabetes. If you other signs such as cuts or wounds on your feet that don’t heal, they may be an indication of poor health.
Dark spots under the toenails
Discoloration on toes is completely normally if you stub your foot or drop something heavy on it but, if you notice any discolored spots under your toenails but can’t recall when the injury occurred, it could be a sign for concern and your doctor will be able to do a better diagnosis.
Dark lines or spots under the toenails is a common condition for melanomas or a fungal infection which may seem harmless at first but if remains untreated for long, it could potentially turn into a bigger complication
Sharp pain in feet
Some people experience a sharp pain in their feet at morning which can either occur as soon as you wake up or when you try to get out of bed to take the first few steps of the day. This could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis which can cause inflammation in your joints and sharp foot pain that commonly occurs in the morning. The pain could also be caused by a different condition called plantar fasciitis which often has the same symptoms as rheumatoid arthritis.
If you experience pain in your feet, the first thing in the morning, try to see if there is any inflammation around your heels or toes which could be the root cause of it. If you don’t notice any inflammation or don’t experience the pain often, then it could have occurred due to a muscle cramp which isn’t something to worry about,
