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Most of us want to be healthy, but did you know that by understanding what your feet are trying to tell you can help you to remain in good health? Cold Feet Men's feet tend to be warmer than women's, however extremes of coldness or warmth should not be ignored. If you suffer from feet that are constantly cold, this may be due to an underactive thyroid, while hot and sweaty feet might be due to an overactive thyroid. The thyroid has the responsibility for regulating the body's temperature, and malfunction can mean tiredness, weight gain, mood swings and thinning eyebrows. If you have concerns, check them out with your doctor or health advisor. Colour changes Feet that are pale when you are sitting with them up, but get very red when standing could be telling you that there is a circulation issue. Your heart may be experiencing difficulty in pumping blood around your body. This could be due to many reasons - a common one is hardening of the arteries. Toe Nails Nails which are hard, yellowish and ragged looking can indicate a fungal infection. Until given the green light by your doctor, it's best to wear clean socks at all times - including in bed - in order to minimize spreading a possible infection. Indented nails together with feelings of persistent tiredness can indicate a form of anaemia. Speak to your doctor. Size Feet swell during the day, so when choosing new shoes it is wise to shop in the afternoon or evening. This way you will have a more comfortable fit that will ensure your feet and body stay healthy. Ill fitting shoes cause foot pain and can lead to posture, skeletal and muscle problems. Feet that are persistently swollen (known as oedema or edema) may be a sign of high blood pressure (hypertension), especially if accompanied by coldness and a tingling sensation. Other health issues that swollen feet can indicate include obesity, diabetes and oedema in pregnancy. Self help options, if the above are not responsible, include not standing in one position for long periods or overusing laxatives, exercising regularly and cutting back on salt while continuing to drink enough water. Cracked heels A thickening of the skin around the heel area or red flaky skin under the heel can lead to cracks and fissures. Quite often the cause can be ill fitting or unsupportive open backed shoes or standing for long periods, however cracked heels can also be a symptom of psoriasis, obesity, flat feet or diabetes. Burning feet A feeling of burning and stinging within the feet, often accompanied by swelling and redness, can be a symptom of long term alcohol abuse and liver damage, thyroid issues, kidney damage or simply a material that irritates the skin. Foot Rashes Rashes on the foot may be caused by a number of things from heat rash or an insect bite to sexually transmitted infections. You can rule out the commoner possibilities by daily washing and proper drying of the feet, wearing correctly fitting socks, tights and shoes etc. If you have any concerns about your feet's condition, then it would be wise to visit your doctor or medical practitioner who can advise you.
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