We all know diet and exercise are important for health, but did you know your feet can reveal health secrets? A pharmacist says our feet can show warning signs of serious conditions.
Noel Wicks, a pharmacist and advisor to Excilor, shared the importance of checking our often – overlooked feet.
So, what to look for? He told the Express that feet can warn about two serious conditions, but socks and shoes might hide these signs.
He said, “We must watch our foot health, including toenails, as it can affect overall health and signal serious issues.”
The small blood vessels in the toes can easily get clogged. This may cause cold, painful, swollen, or numb feet. Noel said this could be a warning of heart disease, which we shouldn’t ignore.
It’s not just the skin; toenails matter too. “Thickening and brittleness of toenails can also happen with heart disease,” he said.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
According to The NHS, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or peripheral vascular disease, occurs when fatty deposits in arteries limit blood flow to leg muscles. Many with PAD have no symptoms. But some get a leg ache while walking that eases after a few minutes’ rest (intermittent claudication). The pain can be mild to severe and often affects both legs, maybe worse in one.
Other symptoms to note are tingling, burning, dry skin, pain, cracked skin, and non – healing blisters or sores. Also, watch out for fungal infections and athlete’s foot, as they can signal something serious. And don’t forget thick yellow nails, which can point to heart problems or diabetes.
What other symptoms to look for?
Be aware of chest pains, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath. For diabetes, you may feel constantly tired, have unexplained weight loss, or be very sleepy after meals.
It’s time to forget embarrassment and start regularly checking your feet.