Watan–Your feet offer you great benefits, not limited to carrying you from one place to another. Your feet can also serve as a window into your body, as podiatrists can often identify a wide range of serious health problems simply by looking at your feet. Therefore, don’t ignore any sudden changes that may appear on them.
Emma Maconochie, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry in the UK, confirms that podiatrists treat conditions more complex than ingrown toenails and warts. They can detect a wide array of health issues through signs that appear on patients’ feet.
Maconochie highlighted some health issues that could be identified by observing foot health:
1-Circulatory Issues
If you notice recent changes in your feet and ankles, such as visible swelling or mottled color, it could indicate circulatory problems. Maconochie explains that “changes may occur in just one foot or both. If you notice any changes in the size or color of your feet or ankles, contact your doctor.”
She adds: “There are many circulatory conditions that can also cause changes in the temperature of your lower extremities. So, if you notice a sudden and prolonged temperature change in one or both feet or legs, speak with a podiatrist or your GP for an evaluation.”
2-Heart Disease, Diabetes, or Neurological Conditions
Changes in sensation in your feet, such as tingling or numbness, could be a sign of various health issues. Circulatory problems caused by conditions like heart disease or diabetes, or problems from smoking or alcohol, can cause nerve endings to malfunction, leading to loss of sensation in your extremities.
Maconochie explains that neurological conditions and injuries can also affect nerve function, stating: “This makes you unable to feel if you’re injured or have a wound, greatly increasing the risk of infection and amputation. Try to observe where the changes are happening in your feet and if anything worsens or improves them. How would you describe the sensation and how often does it occur? This can help your podiatrist assess your issues and work on a diagnosis.”
3-Kidney, Liver, Hormonal Changes, or Skin Issues
Itchy feet could be a sign of a fungal infection or insufficient moisturization, but they could also indicate more widespread health problems.
Maconochie says: “These issues could involve the kidneys, liver, or hormonal changes. Certain prescribed medications have been reported to cause itching in the feet and legs as a side effect, and small fluid-filled skin patches related to skin conditions could also be the cause.”
4-Tumors
Changes in nail color due to trauma to the toes, which causes a small amount of blood to release under the nail, may cause a fungal infection, changing the nail’s color to orange-brown and often thickening it.
In other cases, nail discoloration could indicate melanoma, a type of skin cancer that starts in the pigment cells.
Maconochie explains that “subungual melanoma represents up to 3.5% of all melanomas globally, with up to 90% of cases occurring in the thumb or big toe. Melanomas can affect any skin color and often appear as a darkening under the nail that does not grow with the nail.”
Anyone concerned about nail discoloration should speak with a podiatrist, and Maconochie advises taking a close-up photo of the toenails for reference to help you determine if it’s worsening.
5-Dry Skin, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular, or Thyroid Issues
Skin is the body’s largest organ, and Maconochie confirms that peeling or cracked skin on the feet could be a sign of various health issues, saying: “Dehydration can cause the skin to become less supple, but underlying medical conditions like blood pressure issues, cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid problems can also affect the skin on your feet and legs.”
6-Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases like psoriasis can affect the feet and nails, potentially causing a different appearance than expected. Many cases of peeling or cracking skin are due to athlete’s foot or lack of moisturizing cream, but Maconochie advises: “If you’ve been using a daily moisturizer for a few weeks with no improvement or are experiencing itching, consult your podiatrist so they can assess your condition.”
7-Neurological Conditions, Including Strokes
Sudden changes in the shape of your feet could indicate a broader health issue, Maconochie explains: “This is typically the case when the foot appears claw-like after a neurological issue or trauma, such as a stroke, which can cause the foot’s shape to suddenly change.”
Conditions that cause loss of sensation in the feet, like diabetes, can lead to sudden changes in foot shape, which could be a condition called Charcot foot, causing weakened bones in the foot, and it can occur in people with significant nerve damage.
Maconochie advises: “If you experience sudden changes in the shape of your foot, especially if you have underlying health conditions or issues with sensation or circulation, speak to your podiatrist immediately for necessary tests.”
8-Pernicious Anemia or Type 2 Diabetes
Maconochie warns that recurrent fungal skin infections on the feet, despite treatment, bacterial infections, and sometimes even ingrown toenail issues that aren’t resolved by treatment, could be signs of something else.
She says: “All of these could indicate an underlying body issue. Your podiatrist may discuss further testing if they have concerns about your health. Conditions like type 2 diabetes and pernicious anemia might sometimes not show other clear symptoms in this way.”
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12, according to the Cleveland Clinic website.
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