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A foot is perhaps the
most overlooked part of the body and gets very little attention. Besides
painting our toes now and then and plucking off that stray hair during sandal
season, our feet are mostly ignored. But did you know that a foot is the
perfect indicator of our overall health and provides valuable pointers that we
should take note of. If you experience any of these below, make sure you
consult your general practitioner immediately.
Stinky Feet
If you have improper
hygiene, your feet are likely to show the first signs of it. While stinking or
smelly feet may not signal anything dangerous, it is nevertheless an important
indicator. If the feet continue to smell even after you have restored your
hygiene (for example, by taking a bath), then it may be a sign of fungal
infection such as athlete’s foot. Always wear cotton socks to prevent smelly
feet and regularly wash both your shoes (yes, your shoes need to be cleaned!)
and socks.
Foot Cramps
If you had recently
walked or hiked long distances or worn shoes without ankle support, then it is
likely that the foot cramps were caused because of that. However, if you don’t
think any of that applies to you then foot cramps could be an indicator of
issues with the nervous system such as vasculitis or arteritis. It could also
be something as harmless as nutritional deficiency such as low calcium or
magnesium. After periods of high exercise always make sure to rest your feet
and give it a proper foot massage.
Yellow Toenails
Unlike common
assumption, yellow toenails are not a sign of improper hygiene. Rather it is a
sign of fungal infection called as Onychomycosis. Many people ignore this
symptom and do not pay attention believing that it would go away in time.
However, onychomycosis fungus keeps growing under the toenail and since feet
are usually in cold and moist places (inside a shoe), it provides the perfect
breeding ground for the fungus. In extreme cases, it has caused people to lose
the entire toenail.
A sore that won’t heal
A sore that doesn’t
heal is a very important indicator for diabetes mellitus. Because diabetes
causes increased glucose levels, it prevents any wound from healing properly.
If your sore does not go away in a few days consult a doctor immediately. A
sore could also be an indicator for skin cancer.
Perpetually cold feet
While some people
prefer their feet cold when sleeping, yet others have naturally cold feet. If
your feet seem unusually cold, then it could be an indication of
hypothyroidism. It means that your thyroid gland is secreting less thyroid
hormones than necessary for proper body functioning. You can confirm this with a simple blood test
at home or by visiting the nearest doctor.
Heel Pain
While it is common in
women who wear stilettos, pain in the heel could be a symptom of several
issues. It could be a sign for ligament inflammation or it could be a sign that
you are starting to develop varicose veins. Try wearing flat heeled and open
toes shoes to see if the symptoms persist. If they do, consult a doctor right
away.
At first glance a
puffy toe may seem like the result of hitting your toe against a hard surface.
But if your puffy and enlarged toe does not subside within a few hours, it may
be a sign of gout. Gout which is a form of arthritis is caused by the accumulation
of uric acid. Monitor your toe for a few days to see if it continues to be
puffy and visit a podiatrist at first opportunity.
Pitted Toenails
Pitted toenails could
be an indicator of the immune condition psoriasis. In general psoriasis manifests
in the skin but in rare cases, some people may find their toenails to have
small holes or pits in them. It is easily treated with over the counter
medication.
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