Take A Look At Your Feet And See What They Say About Your Health

Written by Shivani K  • 

Our body, in general, talks to us about our health conditions. Did you know that you, yourself, can find out the state of your health in just ten seconds? And, if you’re wondering how, well, just take a sneak-peek at your feet. Yes, you heard that right. Our feet are incredible diagnostic tools that we, as well as our doctors, could use to find potential clues to analyze a whole set of health issues.

Our feet contain a quarter of the entire body’s bones, with each foot having 33 joints, 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments (plus, not to forget the countless blood vessels and linking nerves!) (1).

Here is the lowdown on some of the symptoms that speak about your overall health condition.

1. When Your Feet Are Hairless

1. When Your Feet Are Hairless
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No! We don’t mean to say that your feet are healthy only if it looks like a hobbit’s feet. But, the complete absence of hair on your feet or toes could be an indication that your body has blood circulation problems (2).

A cardiovascular disease called arteriosclerosis causes these problems (3). This ailment hardens the arteries, making it hard for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. In times like these, the distribution of blood is prioritized to the vital organs first, and then to the other parts like the feet. Therefore, the blood supply to the feet becomes limited.

2. Koilonychia (Spoon Nails)

2. Koilonychia (Spoon Nails)
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This condition is caused because of an iron deficiency in the body, better known to us as anemia, a common blood condition (4). It makes our nails lose its convexity, making it resemble a spoon. The nails seem to adopt a rounded appearance. And this state of the nails is called as koilonychias — a nail disease. If we make sure that the iron content in our bodies is maintained at an optimal level, we can save ourselves from various chronic health problems.

3. Incessant Sores

3. Incessant Sores
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If your blood glucose levels or the fat (triglycerides) levels spike up, it can damage your nerves. And if you happen to have a sore foot (any inflammation), then it is likely that it might take forever for the wound to heal. Especially with people who are diabetic in nature, they need to make sure that any foot injuries or ulcers are treated in time (5). Diabetes is known to nurture foot ulcers and if left untreated, it could lead to an amputation of the foot.

4. Colored Toenails

4. Colored Toenails
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If your nails have a lemony-tint and are thicker than the usual — it is a result of a fungal infection (6). The main reason for fungal infections to surface is bad hygiene, like wearing the same pair of socks every day, wearing footwear made of impermeable materials that increase sweat secretion, etc. So, practice good personal habits. Keep your feet clean and visit a doctor if the infection isn’t submissive.

5. Cold Feet

5. Cold Feet
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Nope! We aren’t talking about the cold feet you have before your wedding. If you feel your feet are ice cold when you touch them even on a hot sunny day, then this could signal a thyroid dysfunction (7). If your body is having low thyroid activity, then the essential nutrients are not supplied to the body parts that lay in extremities (like our feet), thus making them cold.

6. Numb Feet

6. Numb Feet
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Neuropathy is a chronic result of diabetes that leaves our nervous system devastated (8). It’s a condition wherein the high blood glucose levels injure the blood vessels to which the nerves are connected. Any damage to the blood vessels indicates damage of the nerves connected to it.

If you cannot feel any pain in your feet, if you feel numbness or a continued tingling sensation in your feet, then you need to visit a doctor immediately. Sensory neuropathy vandalizes the nerves that are responsible for carrying messages of pain, touch, temperature, and all other forms of sensation from the skin to our brain (9).

7. Raynaud’s Nails

7. Raynaud’s Nails
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Are your toes changing colors like it were a chameleon’s best friend? Then, Raynaud’s disease could be the reason behind it. Your feet, especially the toes, start to change color and turn cold in response to the changes in temperature or even your stress levels (10). Improper supply of blood to the feet causes this disease. When this disease attacks you, your feet tend to become white or blue and eventually turn numb.

This disease could pass on to you if you have had a family history. Visit a doctor and take the necessary precautions.

We often overlook the signs that our body gives us. Have your feet tried talking to you through any of the above conditions? Recognize the signs as early as possible and get it treated. Keep your feet healthy and beautiful!

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