What Your Feet Are Telling You

Dry or cracking skin
As we get older, skin becomes thinner and drier on the feet. While dry skin isn’t a crisis,
those cracks and cuts can open the way to infection. In most cases, some regular moisturizing
will do the trick, but beware of any wounds that won’t heal — they could be a sign of a more
serious illness like diabetes.
Peeling and itching
Dry skin can also be a symptom of a fungal infection like the dreaded athlete’s foot, especially
when accompanied by peeling, itching, scaling and inflammation. Fungus often shows up in
the warm, moist area between the toes where it can easily spread to the nails if left
untreated. Fungus can be easy to pick up, especially if you like to go barefoot on the beach
or in the locker room. Your best defense is to keep your feet protected with footwear and
keep your feet dry with fresh socks and talcum powder as needed.
Thick, yellow nails 
It could be the normal affects of aging, but it could also be a sign of nail fungus which can be
difficult to treat because topical medications like creams often aren’t effective and oral
medications can have potentially harmful side effects like liver damage. However, new laser
treatments are revolutionizing the treatment of fungus — minus any pain or risks. Also, the
chemicals in nail polish can cause damage. It’s a good idea to give your nails a breather
especially during the winter when toes aren’t on display. A little sunshine won’t hurt either
— the UV rays can even help kill unwanted organisms.
Black or dark toenails
Often the result of an injury, a bruise under the nail. Unfortunately, the bruise can lead to
other problems like a fungal infection or a sore that could become infected. Discoloured nails
should be checked out, especially if you have diabetes.
Ingrown toenails
Improper grooming techniques, injury, hereditary and structural problems can all cause the
toe nail to curl under and dig painfully into the skin. Poorly fitting shoes are also a cause, so
it’s no surprise this problem shows up more often in women than men. Luckily, it can be
treated in office by a podiatrist. Make sure to trim your nails properly — always cut straight
across rather than rounding edges — and that your shoes fit properly, especially in the toe
area.
Pain 
Foot pain can have many causes from arthritis to plantar fasciitis, but you’ll need some expert
advice to determine the problem and find a treatment. Osteoarthritis is a common problem,
but it’s not the only cause. Pain and inflammation could also be due to a systemic condition
like rheumatoid arthritis. Injury and repetitive stress can also cause tendonitis. A proper
diagnosis is important because you may need more than painkillers. Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can target inflammation, but many podiatrists also use
drug-free treatments like sound wave therapies.
Heel pain
This could mean that parts of your feet aren’t balanced properly. Not only can this cause pain
in your feet, it can also impact your knees, hips and back and even contribute to neck pain.
Supportive footwear and orthotics can help correct the issue. But don’t run out to the drug
store without a consult. Treatment for some conditions may also require stretching exercises
and physiotherapy.
Pain in the toe
The big toe is a popular site for attacks of gout, a form of arthritis where a build up of uric
acid in the body can deposit and crystallize in the sacks that surround joints. The sudden onset
of pain, swelling and redness can be mistaken for injury, and gout is often diagnosed only after
it’s happened a few times. If you experience these symptoms, take notes to help your
diagnosis.
Swelling of the ankles
Known officially as peripheral edema, painless swelling in the feet, ankles and legs should
warrant a call to your doctor rather than a podiatrist. Sometimes swelling appears because
there’s too much fluid in the body and it builds up in the extremities. The causes can be
quite serious — including heart or kidney failure or a blood clot. If it’s accompanied by other
strange symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, a trip to the emergency room is in
order. However, swelling could also be a side effect of certain medications like hormone
treatments or blood pressure medications. It can also signal infection or a circulatory problem. (See Medline Plus
Tingling or numbness
Other than your feet falling asleep because you sat funny, numbness or tingling could be a sign
of nerve or circulatory issues. While vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders and certain
medications could be behind it, many people with diabetes experience poor circulation as
well as problems with the nerves. Numbness can mask painful problems like foot ulcers and
bone conditions that can get worse quite quickly.
Foot deformities
Whether due to heredity, injury or illness, foot deformities like hammer toes, bunions and
gone spurs can be painful to endure — and they used to be painful to treat. But now, smaller
instruments and new techniques work through smaller openings in tissue. The result? Less tissue
damage and faster healing.
Unusual growths
Yes, cancer can occur in the feet too so any usual growths or lesions should be looked at.
However, a more common condition that occurs between the fourth and fifth toe is neuroma,
an enlarged (but benign) growth of nerves. Pressure from ill-fitting shoes and bone structure
issues is often the cause, and corrective footwear is often a good way to counter it.

There’s good reason to see a podiatrist in addition to your family doctor. Podiatrists focus on
the feet so they’re more knowledgeable about foot conditions and the latest treatment
options. They have the expertise to tackle foot problems from many angles, from orthotics to
surgery, and acute pain as well as chronic. You don’t need a physician’s referral to go see
one. You shouldn’t ignore your feet or simply “live with” pain and discomfort. Many conditions
can now be treated with less difficulty, pain or side effects than in the past, and symptoms in
our feet often point to other health conditions as well.

Found on MSN.ca