What your feet say about your health, according to experts
We are commonly reading the face – Dark circles, cortisol peak, eruptions. But few of us take a look at our feet unless a shoe clamp or the varnish is shredding. It turns out that it is a missed opportunity. Your feet, it seems, could be the most neglected well-being informants we have. If you have already wondered what your feet say about your health, the answer could be more than you think.
“Your feet wear more than your weight – they carry messages on your internal health,” said Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria, director of orthopedics, SIR HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. “Changes in appearance, texture or sensation can offer early clues to systemic problems. If you listen to your feet, you might simply hear what your body whispers before it starts to cry.”
Ankle -inflated ankles with unequal skin, here is what your feet are trying to point out.
Swollen feet and ankles
If your ankle ball after a day in heels, it’s normal. But an unexplained or chronic swelling (edema) may indicate heart failure, kidney disease or even deep venous thrombosis. “Chronic swelling, or edema, justifies a complete cardiovascular and renal assessment. Sometimes even the lack of protein can cause them. By identifying the problem, it can be resolved easily, ”explains Dr. Bagaria.
The articulation of the big salient toes
A painful and painful articulation of toes – common in women who live in heels – can report Hallux Valgus (an onion), often aggravated by bad shoes. But this can also refer to deeper biomechanical problems or arthritis. Inflammatory conditions such as drop and rheumatoid arthritis often start here, marked by sudden and intense pain and redness. Dr. Bagaria notes the Tophi deposit – a penal crystalline accumulation – as a classic characteristic of gout.
Nail changes
If your nails are thickened, brittle or yellow tinted, they could indicate a fungal infection or an autoimmune skin condition such as psoriasis. Dr. Madhuri Agarwal, dermatologist and founder of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, Mumbai, says: “This gives us an index that it is an autoimmune disorder and that we must treat it accordingly. In addition, sometimes it could be a sign of diabetic changes, poor circulation or heart infection. ” Discolored or striated nails can also suggest vitamin deficiencies – especially complex B or iron – or thyroid dysfunction. Horizontal ridges, or beautiful lines, can point out a metabolic constraint or a past systemic disease.
Cracked heels and soles
The heels perceived persistent may seem cosmetic, but they could indicate eczema or circulatory problems. Stase eczema, for example, appears in the elderly due to poor blood flow and causes red and marbled plates. Diabetic and thyroid patients often have dry and cracked skin due to nerve lesions or nutritional deficiencies. Dr Agarwal also signals the athlete’s foot – a fungal infection which causes a coat or whiteness between the toes, especially if the feet are congested in tight shoes or hygiene is compromised. In diabetics, these infections can dig more deeply and affect the bone. Too smooth or shiny skin could indicate autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma or venous insufficiency.
Hair loss on feet
Hair loss on the lower feet and legs may seem to be a side hair removal effect, but it may indicate a hormonal imbalance, a disease of the peripheral artery or even early signs of leprosy or vitiligo. Dr Agarwal provides that, although rare, these conditions often start subtly and should not be rejected.
Tingling and numbness
Burn, tingling or numbness in feet can report peripheral neuropathy, often linked to B12 deficiency. “If it is not treated, it can cause balance problems and long -term nerve damage,” warns Dr. Bagaria. It could also come from sciatica, and if it is persistent, should be studied to prevent injury or ulceration, adds Dr Agarwal.
Bite edema
If you press an swollen area that leaves a bump, this is called bite edema and can suggest low protein levels in the blood, as can be seen in conditions such as nephrotic syndrome or liver disease. Conversely, protein -rich diets without sufficient hydration can worsen the drop and wipe the kidneys, explains Dr. Bagaria.
Bone problems and foot deformations
Recurrent pain of the arc or heel could be more than a bad posture – it could indicate stress fractures, plantar fasciitis or even early osteoporosis. Pain like this is an example of what your feet say about your health, especially with regard to long -term wear. In diabetics, bone damage not detected can be transformed into a charcot, a severe deformation which often goes unnoticed until it is advanced.
