Experts say the state of our feet can reveal a number of other health issues
They may spend most of the year hidden away under socks, but our feet
are in fact a window to what’s really happening in our bodies.
“We
neglect our feet and put up with signs and symptoms that, in any other
part of the body, would have us running to medical professionals,” says
podiatrist Jake Heath from One Wellness Clinic in Wimpole Street,
London.
“Yet noticeable changes can be indicators of wider health issues.”
So it might be time to take a closer look at those tootsies…
Enlarged big toe
It could be… gout
Not
only the preserve of men with pot bellies and a rich diet. “Gout is a
build-up of razor-sharp uric acid crystals in a joint,” explains Jake.
“This can be caused by being overweight, certain medications or a high
protein diet, but it can also be genetic.” For most people the first
sign comes in the form of a sore, red, swollen big toe. Painful: Gout can be genetic or caused by diet
What to do: If you have pain in your big toe
or another joint, such as the knee or elbow, see your GP, who can test
for gout. Icing the joint and non-steroid anti-inflammatories can reduce
pain. A low-protein diet, drinking lots of water and losing weight can
also help.
Cold feet
It could be… hypothyroidism
Not
that moment when you slip into bed – more if you suffer from
particularly chilly hands and feet. Hypothyroidism is known as an
underactive thyroid gland.
Cold feet can also be caused by
Raynaud’s disease. “This is where the blood vessels to the toes and
fingers are hypersensitive to temperature, stress, smoking and
medication,” says Jake. “They constrict, reducing blood flow and making
them appear white. Later, when the blood flow returns, they can be red,
swollen and itchy.” What to do: Other common
signs of hypothyroidism are tiredness, weight gain, aching muscles and
depression. If you have these too see your GP for a thyroid function
test. For Raynaud’s, avoid extreme temperatures.
Red ulcers or numbness
It could be… diabetes
Numbness or loss of sensation around the feet and red ulcers that don’t heal are major clues to undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
“The
start of persistent numbness and/or tingling in the toes can be the
sign of peripheral nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes,” says
Jake.
“This can increase the chance of developing severe ulcers
as the skin tissue breaks down unnoticed and exposes underlying layers
of skin.Eventually these ulcers may require long-term antibiotics and in
extreme cases amputations.” What to do: Diabetes
symptoms include a persistent thirst, needing to urinate more often,
tiredness and weight loss. See your doctor at once if you notice these
signs.
Club-shaped nails
It could be… a lung condition
Have your nails changed shape? If so, this could be more than a cosmetic problem.
“Cardiovascular,
lung or gastrointestinal problems, can lead to the clubbed appearance
of all the nails on the toes and fingers,” says Jake. “The shape will
change and they appear distorted.” This could be due to a cut in the
blood’s oxygen levels. What to do: “Speaking to your GP or podiatrist about changes in colour, or shape, of nails is a good idea,” says Jake.
Nail it: Keep an eye on your talons
Hairless toes
It could be… vascular disease
Few
of us would want hairy feet. But toes totally devoid of hair can be a
problem. If the heart is struggling to pump enough blood to your
extremities it will cause problems with your circulation. That will make
the skin look shiny and hair will not grow there.
“Discoloured
feet which appear red, white or purple with thick nails, loss of hair
and thin, brittle, or shiny skin, can all be signs of underlying
circulatory issues, or peripheral vascular disease,” says Jake. What to do: See your GP or a podiatrist if you notice any of these symptoms.
Thickened, crumbling or discoloured nails
It could be… Psoriasis
“Nail
pitting may be a sign of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition caused by
an overactive immune system,” says Jake. Psoriasis affects 1–2% of the
population and can be linked to stress, medication or genetics. Jake
says half of patients with psoriasis will have nail problems. Other
symptoms are flaking, inflammation and thick white, silvery or red skin
patches. What to do: Treatments include steroid creams, light therapy and oral medications. If your nails are pitted see a GP.
Sore toe joints
It could be… rheumatoid arthritis
Small joints in the hands and feet are often the first to be affected by this auto-immune condition.
“The
joint doesn’t move as well as it should,” says Jake. “People with other
forms of arthritis have stiff joints in the morning but with rheumatoid
arthritis it can be several hours before they ease. There can be
swelling and fluid in the joint, which makes them puffy, and the toes
often feel sensitive and tender.
“Over time it causes severe damage to the cartilage and joints, leading to a loss of movement and intense pain.” What to do: See your GP immediately as early diagnosis is key to preventing damage to the joints and cartilage.
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