What Your Feet Are Telling You about Your Health

The human body is amazing. Every part works together, and each part has signs that can let you know if your health is on track or not. The feet are no exception.

Here are some things that your feet may be trying to tell you about your health.

Cold Toes

Many people have chilly toes, and difficulty keeping them warm no matter how many socks they wear. Cold toes can be a sign of poor circulation. They can also be a signal of diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, so if your cold toes persist, check with your doctor for possible underlying issues.

Cramps

Foot cramps and spasms are commonly caused when you have been on your feet too much. They can also be caused by a lack or imbalance of vitamins and minerals, ranging from vitamin D, calcium, potassium and magnesium. If foot cramps are common for you, check your diet to see whether it may be lacking in some area.

Swelling

Swelling of the feet commonly occurs when you have been on your feet all day. It is fairly common, and generally nothing to be concerned about. There are other times when there is something else going on, however. Blood clots and issues with the lymphatic system can cause swelling, so see your doctor if swelling persists with no reasonable explanation.

Itching

Itchy feet can be caused by athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection that manifests in itching as well as scaly skin of the foot. If this is the case, you may need to get a prescription from the doctor. In the absence of any other health complications, you can also treat it vigilantly at home.

Itchy feet along with dryness and red coloring can indicate contact dermatitis, which is caused by a reaction to lotions or other sensitivities you may have.

Malformed Toes and Nails

The shape of your toes and nails may be letting you know something. Being low in iron or being exposed to certain chemicals can cause your toenails to appear spoon-shaped. Clubbed toes can be caused by a variety of infections, and even lung disease. Tight shoes and nerve damage through various means can cause claw toe, which makes your toes extend upward, then down from the middle joint.

Sores That Will Not Heal

If your feet have sores on the bottom that will not heal, this could indicate diabetes. The high blood sugar of diabetics causes nerve damage, and this means that someone can be unaware of a cut they get, or one they have had for a long time. Because this can lead to serious infections, and because diabetes has a wide range of serious side effects (if it is indeed the cause of the slow-healing sore), it is important to see a doctor immediately if this is suspected.

Our feet are great at alerting us to issues, diseases, and imbalances in our systems. If you have anything unusual happening in regards to your feet, look further into it. Sometimes there’s a simple solution, and other times it is more complex. Either way, listen to what your feet are saying.

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