Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

1. Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
2. Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
3. A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
4. Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
5. A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
6. Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
7. Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
9. Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
10. Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
11. Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
12. Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
13. Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

• Wash and examine your feet daily
• Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
• Treat any callouses and corns
• Trim toenails weekly or as needed
• Wear protective clothing on your feet
• Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

Follow

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.