3 Symptoms in Your Feet You Shouldn’t Ignore
Did you know that your feet often act as an early warning system for several diseases and disorders? At Goldsmith Podiatry, we want to encourage our Manhattan patients to examine their feet regularly and not to postpone getting unusual symptoms evaluated by our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia and Dr. Kristina Ruff. Below are three signs in your feet you should not brush off.
Burning—If you’ve spent a long day walking, you may find that your feet feel as if they’re on fire, but a rest and maybe a cool soak should soon alleviate this symptom. A burning sensation in your feet that’s more consistent, however, can point to other issues of concern. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common cause of burning or tingling in the feet. It can occur as a result of an injury or a disorder. Diabetes, alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism are some of the conditions associated with neuropathy. Burning feet can also be a sign of a severe case of athlete’s foot or tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Skin discoloration—You may be inclined to ignore changes in the color of the skin on your feet or lower legs if they are not accompanied by pain or other uncomfortable symptoms, but this is a mistake. Feet that appear red and scaly may indicate vasculitis, a condition that causes poor blood flow due to an autoimmune disease such as lupus. If you notice that your feet turn a purplish blue when it’s cold or you feel stressed, you may be dealing with Raynaud’s disease. Covid and cellulitis are other possible causes of skin discoloration.
Balding toes and legs—Loss of hair on your toes or lower legs may seem appealing to some, but it can be an indicator of a serious medical condition known as peripheral vascular disease (PAD). This condition is the result of plaque build-up in your arteries which decreases circulation. This means less nutrient-rich blood reaching your extremities, which causes hair follicles on your toes and legs to die. Your risk for PAD increases as you age, and it can be a precursor to a heart attack or stroke.
The bottom line is if you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary in your feet or their appearance has changed it’s best to get it checked out. Make an appointment at our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 today.