Our body sends us many signs about our health. For example, the feet are a good informer of your overall health. Pain in the feet or even numbness expresses symptoms of diseases before any other body part.
Cramps in Foot
Foot cramping may signify you are dehydrated or you workout too hard, but if this happens frequently, you may lack potassium, calcium, or magnesium in your diet. Stretch your feet before going to bed and add more calcium to your diet.
Dry Skin on Feet
Dry skin on the feet may be a sign of a fungal infection known as Athlete’s foot. This condition starts as dry, itchy skin and develops into inflammation and blisters. You need to keep feet clean and follow these tips:
- Take off your shoes at home and expose your feet to the air or sunlight
- Wear cotton socks, and change them each day
- Avoid walking barefoot in public areas
- Do not wear worn-out exercise shoes
- Don’t wear borrowed shoes
- Tea tree oil is an excellent home remedy. Apply a small amount to the affected area two or three times daily, and continue to apply it for two weeks after signs of the infection have disappeared.
- Another remedy you should try is grapefruit-seed extract, which has amazing antifungal effects. Apply it two-three times daily to the affected area.
Another thing that can help is adding one or two garlic cloves to your food. Garlic has natural antifungal properties.
Thick and Yellow Toenails
If there is a fungal infection beneath your toenail, it can start to thicken, change color, and separate from the skin. This occurs more often in people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other immune deficiencies.
Increased Big Toe
There is a possibility of experiencing gout if your big toe suddenly grows larger. Gout is a form of arthritis triggered by the accumulation of uric acid. This occurs because the surplus uric acid forms in the body part with the lowest temperature, in this case the big toe.
Sore Toe Joints
Sore toe joints may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. This disease usually attacks smaller joints first, like the wrist and toes joints, so be attentive if having a frequent achy feeling or swelling.
Unable to Lift the Foot
The incapability to raise the foot upward from the heel could be the result of nerve damage or trauma to the neck, back, or leg. If having this problem, contact your doctor.
Cold Feet
Thyroid problem may be indicated if having cold feet. The thyroid gland regulates temperature and metabolism. Also, cold feet can be a result of poor circulation.
Red, White or Blue Toes or Feet
Variation of color in feet or toes ranging from white, to blue, to red, may be a symptom of Raynaud’s disease. If dealing with this symptom, consult with your doctor to ensure there isn’t anything serious.
Hairless Toes
If you do not have hair growing on your toes, it is a sign of an issue. This can be another sign of poor circulation as a result of vascular disease.
Numbness in both Feet
Experiencing a persistent numbness in your feet can be a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, meaning there’s been some damage to your peripheral nervous system. This can be resulted by several things, but the most common are diabetes and alcohol abuse.
Toenails in the Shape of Spoon
Spoon shaped toenails is a problem that could occur as a result of an abnormality called Koilonychias. This condition makes nails concave and thinned with edges. Also, spoon shaped toenails could signify anemia.
Pitted Toenails
The skin condition psoriasis can also send signs in the toenails. Half of the people with psoriasis may have many tiny holes in their toenails and fingernails. This problem can also be experienced by people with psoriatic arthritis.
Wounds that are not Healing on Your Feet
Having a wound on your foot that is not healing can signify that you are at risk for diabetes. The increased levels of blood glucose over time can cause nerve damage in the feet, so you may not feel an ulcer on the foot bottom. If left untreated, it can cause serious consequences.
Sharp Pain in the Heel
A sharp pain in your heel may be a sign of an issue called plantar fasciitis. This means the band of connective tissue along the bottom of the feet is inflamed. The pain is usually focused in the heel and gets worse during the day.
Try some of these methods to relieve the heel pain of plantar fasciitis.
- Limit daily activities and rest your feet. Also, avoid running or walking on hard surfaces.
- Put ice on your heel to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Also, you can applyanti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Wear shoes with good shock absorption and the right arch support for your foot.
- Perform simple exercises such as toe stretches, calf stretches, and towel stretches several times daily, especially after waking up.
- Avoid wearing high
