Why You’ve Got to Listen to Your Toes!

If your feet are showing signs of change, it can indicate something else has been developing for some time. For instance, if there are nerve issues, our feet are the first parts of the body to be affected because they are farther away from our spine, brain, and heart. Today, Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, in New Haven County and Fairfield County, are sharing reasons why you have to be alert to what your toes, in particular, maybe trying to tell you.

When considering which foot issues are signs for health disorders, toes might not be the first thing you think of. In fact, our toes can reveal a lot about what’s going on in our bodies.

The following are some of the revealing symptoms we can find in our toes and what causes them.

Baldness: While we may not like the hair on our toenails and feet, the absence of it can suggest a problem. Bald toes and feet could indicate they are not getting enough blood flow. It can cause a serious circulation problem caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD). When an x-ray of the foot reveals hardening arteries, it’s probably happening in the rest of your body.

Yellow toenails: Yellow toenails can be a sign of a fungus, and your toenails will be flaking or stiff. Thick, yellow nails also can signify an underlying disease such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lung problems, thyroid issues, or lymphedema.

Swollen big toe: If your big toe suddenly becomes red, hot to the touch, painful, and swollen, you should see your podiatrist immediately. These symptoms can indicate the onset of gout or another inflammatory disorder. Trauma, arthritis, or infection also can cause this problem.

Spoon-shaped toenails: When the dip in the toenail is deep enough to hold a drop of water, the condition is known as koilonychias. This can indicate either iron over-production or an iron deficiency, which affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes.

We find that most people don’t give their feet the attention they deserve. So when you’re trimming your toenails, drying your feet after a bath, or applying sunscreen, take a few extra minutes and thoroughly examine your feet and toes.

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, in New Haven County and Fairfield County, today to schedule a consultation. You can reach our Waterbury office (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown office at (203) 270-6724.