What Your Feet Say About Your Health | Skin & Hair problems slideshows | Body & Health Conditions center

No Hair On Feet Or Toes

Everyone should have hair on their feet and toes. So when we have don't, it sends a red flag. When we lose the hair on our toes and feet, it means that we are not getting enough blood in those areas of the body. Poor circulation can be caused by many things, the most common being vascular disease. The body is forced to prioritize where the blood goes. The hair on the feet is one of the first things to go. Other signs that someone is suffering from poor circulation could be that there is no pulse in their feet or when they lift their feet above their heart, their feet immediately become pale.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Bailey Weaver by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/baileysjunk/4392782151/
www.caring.com/articles/18-things-your-feet-say-about-your-health
http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/what-your-feet-say-about-your-health

Sunken Spoon Shaped Toenails

Sunken-in toenails with the indentations that look like they have been made with a spoon are a sure sign of anemia. This is one of the most common signs of anemia is toenails, especially when someone is suffering from moderate to severe anemia. The nail beds can also be pale in color and brittle, breaking easily under the slightest of pressures. Other prevalent symptoms of anemia are cold feet, fatigue, shortness of breath, headache and dizziness. Anemia is when there aren't enough red blood cells in the body. These are very important since they carry the oxygen to different parts of the body.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Jack Acecroft by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/jackace/416414702/

Foot Cramping Indicates Lack Of Nutrients

An occasional cramp in your foot is nothing to worry about. They typically happen because you are either dehydrated or you have exercised for too long. But when foot cramps become more persistent, your feet may be trying to tell you that the important nutrients that they need are not being supplied to them. Calcium, potassium, and magnesium are all nutrients that, if your body does not get enough of them, will cause foot cramps. This is especially true for pregnant women in their third trimester since their bodies place a priority on getting the essential nutrients to the unborn baby.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Allison by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/52739768@N00/2165059500/

Numbness Is A Sign Of Weak Nervous System

When you have numbness in both feet and you feel pins and needles, it could be a sign of trouble for your nervous system. Being able to feel different parts of the body is the nervous system's main job. The brain sends signals through the main nerves in the body, allowing us to “feel” different sensations. If this pathway gets broken, we can no longer feel that area which can pose quite a problem. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy but the most popular is alcohol abuse. Chemotherapy and diabetes are other common causes.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Luz by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/nieve44/1058112824/

What Do Burning Feet Say?

If you have feet that burn, you may have athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that loves to live in the warm, moist areas of the feet. Common symptoms are itching, burning, stinging, cracked skin, peeling skin, excessive dryness, and thick toenails that are pulling away from the skin. Men are more likely to get this fungal infection than women because they wear socks more frequently. Wearing damp socks for long periods of time can also increase your chances of getting this infection. Make sure to have a spare set of shoes to walk on public surfaces to avoid getting athlete’s foot.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of alex by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirdfeet/4723134368/

Painful, Red, Swollen Big Toe — Probably Gout

If you have a swollen, angry looking big toe, you should pay attention. Gout is one of the main contributors to this problem and you can get it at any age. Gout is actually a form of arthritis. Gout happens when uric acid is overproduced by the body. When this happens, the uric acid will form crystals inside the coldest part of the body. The coldest part of the body is the big toe. This is the reason that your big toe looking like a swollen angry monster. Your skin may also turn red or purple. Swelling, shiny skin is also commonly experienced among those that suffer from gout.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of hradcanska by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/hradcanska/2529489095/

Thick, Yellow, Ugly Toenails Indicate Infection

Those nasty looking yellow toenails are not there just because. They are a sure sign that you have a fungal infection. Fungal infections like to take root underneath the toenail for years before you actually see the yellowing occur. In most cases, by the time that you have noticed, the fungus has already spread to the other toenails on the foot. If the fungal infection has had enough time, it can spread to all of the fingers and toes of your body. When a fungal infection starts, the feet will begin to smell. Your nails will turn darker. People that have circulatory trouble, diabetes, or an autoimmune disorder are the most likely to develop fungal infections.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Brian Herbst by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/briherbst/3060393510/

Painful Feet — A Common Symptom

Feet that are just outright painful can be interfere with daily life. When the pain becomes persistent, it could be more than just a tired muscle. Many people can fracture the tiny bones in their feet. The bones of the foot are small and can break easily without anyone realizing. There are many different ways that this can happen. It is most commonly seen with people that have problems with their nutrition. This can be caused by vitamin D deficiency, anorexia, or a problem absorbing calcium. Women over the age of fifty can develop osteoporosis which makes them high risk for developing fractures.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of borix1 by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/borix1/32815248/

Redness And Shooting Pain In Heel: Inflammation

When your heel has a shooting pain every time that you step down, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is just the name for the inflammation of the tissue that runs down the bottom of the foot. This can happen for many different reasons and there are many known causes. For example, those who run every morning but do not have a shoe with a good support run the risk of developing this common foot problem. Constantly wearing flip flops or going barefoot can also put you at risk. If you happen to experience this, just wear shoes that are low to the ground. The problem should resolve itself in a few days.