Your Feet Are Trying to Tell You Something. Are You Listening?
Early symptoms of systemic illnesses often manifest in the feet and ankles. Your feet can reveal a great deal about what's going on throughout your body, if you just know what to look for. Be alert to changes in your foot health to ensure your overall well-being. Make an appointment to be seen if you notice any of the following symptoms:
1. Foot Numbness
It's normal for your feet go numb occasionally, especially after sitting in one position for too long or sleeping in an awkward position. That's nothing to be worried about. However, if you regularly experience "pins and needles" in one or both feet, it can be a sign of peripheral neuropathy. Anyone can get neuropathy, but it's especially prevalent in smokers and people with diabetes.
2. Bald Toes
Everyone has fine hairs on their toes, even women. A lack of hair on the toes can be a sign of poor blood flow caused by Peripheral Arterial Disease, another illness common in smokers.
3. Dry, Flaky Skin
Dry skin can happen any time and is especially common in the winter when the humidity is low. Typically, a bit of moisturizer will take care of the problem. Long-lasting dry, flaky skin at the heel or the ball of the foot can be a sign of excess or insufficient activity in your thyroid, a critical gland in your throat that produces hormones to manage your metabolic rate and nervous system functions.
4. Morning Foot Pain
If your feet hurt when you first get out of bed in the morning, you might have Plantar Fasciitis, a problem that occurs when a ligament in the foot becomes irritated. This is easily treated. However, early morning heel pain can also be a sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis, a serious auto-immune disorder characterized by inflammation in the joints.
5. Spooned Nails
"Spooned" nails (koilonychias) refers to toenails that develop a depression in the center big enough to hold a drop of water. This diagnosis can indicate a mineral imbalance. It can also be a sign of lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting tissues and organs.
Has something about your feet changed recently? Are you concerned about what those changes might mean? If something doesn't look or feel right, make an appointment for examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Contact Podiatry Group of Annapolis and let us help with all your foot and ankle needs. Dr. James Mckee and Dr. Adam Weaver are experienced and dedicated podiatrists who provide high-quality individualized care. Call us today at 410-224-4448 or visit us online to make an appointment at our conveniently located Annapolis office.