Ms. Emma McConnachie, spokesperson for the Royal Academy of Podiatry (UK) shared in the daily newspaper Independent says podiatrists not only treat ingrown toenails, calluses, warts or perform minor surgery, but also detect many health problems through signs on the feet.
Heart disease, diabetes or neurological disorders
Underlying medical conditions such as blood pressure problems, heart disease, and thyroid disease can all affect the skin on the feet and lower legs.
Heart disease, diabetes, smoking, and heavy drinking can cause nerve endings to stop working properly, causing changes in sensation in the feet, such as tingling or numbness.
Early warning signs of many diseases can start in the feet
"Try to make a note of where on your foot you're seeing changes and whether anything makes it worse or better," advises McConnachie.
Additionally, diabetes and nerve injuries (such as strokes) can lead to sudden changes in foot shape, a condition known as Charcot foot (due to damage to the peripheral nerves in the hereditary Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).
Circulatory, liver, kidney problems
If you notice changes in your feet and ankles such as noticeable swelling or patchy color, this could be a sign of circulation problems.
“Changes can occur in just one limb or in both limbs,” explains Ms McConnachie. “If you notice any changes in the size or colour of your feet and ankles, contact your GP or podiatrist.”
Feet tend to get colder in the winter months when temperatures drop, so make sure your feet and legs are insulated with warm clothing to limit sudden drops in temperature.
Itchy feet aren't just a sign of a fungal infection or not moisturizing enough, Ms McConnachie says, it can also reflect more serious health problems with the kidneys or liver, or hormonal changes.
Melanoma
An injured nail that releases a small amount of blood under the nail, or a fungal infection can cause an orange-brown discoloration.
However, according to Ms McConnachie, subungual melanoma accounts for 3.5% of all melanomas in the world, 90% of which are found on the fingers or big toes.
Melanoma can affect any skin color and usually appears as a darker spot under the nail. Toenails take at least six months to grow out, which can make dark spots on the nail difficult to notice.
Therefore, anyone concerned about discolored toenails should see a podiatrist for early examination and timely treatment.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dau-hieu-suc-khoe-bat-ngo-tu-ban-chan-185250218154354129.htm
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