Table of contents:
- How to detect diseases of the feet
- 1. Dry and peeled heels
- 2. Fine hair on bald toes
- 3. The big toe is swollen and painful
- 4. Feet hurts in the morning
- 5. Numb feet
- 6. Black spots or lines under the toenails
- 7. The red line under the toenail
The body will show various signals when there is a problem in its system. Usually, this sign will be shown through various things that are usually seen and can be felt physically. Well, the feet are one part of the body that can show various symptoms of disease before being shown by other parts of the body. According to Carolyn McAloon, DPM, podiatrist and president of the California Podiatric Medication Association, the foot is the first part that will be affected if there is a problem with the nerves because it is farthest from the heart and spine. Sensitivity is needed to be able to detect foot disease through the various signals it shows.
How to detect diseases of the feet
Detecting disease from the feet can be done by seeing and feeling the condition. The following are various foot conditions that indicate a number of health problems in the body.
1. Dry and peeled heels
Source: Reader's digest
If your heels are dry, cracked, or peeled, you may have a thyroid problem. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control metabolic rate, blood pressure, tissue growth and nervous system development. Well, this thyroid problem will usually be characterized by severe dryness of the feet.
To distinguish it from normal dryness, try using a moisturizer for a few days. If it doesn't change, try to see if you experience various other symptoms such as weight gain, numb hands, frequent shaking, heart palpitations or blurred vision.
If so, this is a sign that you need to immediately consult a doctor to confirm the real condition.
2. Fine hair on bald toes
Source: Reader's digest
Both women and men have fine hair on their toes. However, if these hairs suddenly fall out and are fading away then this is a sign of poor blood circulation due to peripheral artery disease.
When plaque builds up in the leg arteries, blood flow is restricted, which can cause hair loss on your toes. According to Suzanne Fuchs, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at North Shore University Hospital in New York, other signs that indicate this artery disease are the toes turning purple and the skin around the ankles until the soles of the feet are getting thinner.
If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the doctor right away for a checkup. The reason is, if not treated immediately this disease can cause a heart attack or stroke to the risk of experiencing amputation. In addition, you can control the symptoms by quitting smoking, having a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
3. The big toe is swollen and painful
Source: Reader's digest
A swollen, red, hard, and painful big toe can be a sign of gout, which is inflammation of the joint that usually affects the big toe. If this is the case, you are likely to have recently eaten foods that can trigger gout.
Foods high in purines such as red meat, organ meats, fish, seafood, nuts and certain types of alcohol can increase uric acid levels in the body. Normally, uric acid will be excreted in the urine, but if the levels in the body are excessive and the excretion decreases, then the deposition will occur and usually attacks the thumb or ankle.
4. Feet hurts in the morning
Feet aching and stiff when you wake up in the morning can be a sign of rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis. Usually this condition gets worse when you step your foot on the floor and step it.
Apart from rheumatism, this condition can also be caused by plantar fasciitis, which is a condition caused by inflammation of the thick tissue that connects your heels to your toes. Stretching your feet before getting out of bed can help prevent plantar fasciitis.
Then, apart from these two conditions, leg pain in the morning can be caused by muscle cramps. To avoid this, you can stretch your leg muscles before getting out of bed.
However, cramps can also indicate that you are dehydrated and that you are deficient in calcium, potassium and magnesium in your daily intake. To fix this, fulfill your daily nutritional needs and complete it by drinking water before bed.
5. Numb feet
Much like baldness in the hair on the toes, numb feet result from a lack of blood flow in the area and can signal problems with peripheral artery disease.
In addition, this condition is one of the common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can make it difficult for blood to flow to the legs. This can lead to wounds that are difficult to heal and prone to infection.
If you experience this condition, immediately consult a doctor and adopt a healthy lifestyle such as exercising regularly and eating healthy and nutrient-rich foods.
6. Black spots or lines under the toenails
Source: Patienthelp.org
Dark or dark spots and lines under the toenails can be a sign of acral lentiginous melanoma or hidden melanoma. This disease includes skin cancer that appears in obscure parts of the body such as the eyes and mouth. This dark line usually extends from the base to the tip of the nail. To be sure, you need to come to a dermatologist.
Other nail discolorations can also be caused by a fungal infection which is usually brown and yellow and spreads all over the nail. For that, try to be more sensitive when you cut your nails so you can detect foot disease early.
7. The red line under the toenail
Source: Reader's digest
The appearance of a red line under the toenail indicates a broken blood vessel, known as splinter bleeding. This condition occurs when small blood clots damage the tiny capillaries under the nails. Generally, this condition indicates an infection of the lining of the heart (endocarditis).
People who have heart disease, use pacemakers, or who have immune system problems are more at risk for this. If not treated immediately, this infection can lead to heart failure. For this reason, if you notice bleeding in your toenails for no apparent reason, immediately consult a doctor to check your heart and blood circulation.
You can detect diseases of your feet before bed and when cutting your nails. Never ignore the little signs your body gives you as they can have a huge impact on your health. Early detection of disease is one easy way that can be practiced to prevent disease severity.
