Your Feet Can Reveal A Lot About Your Health

Your feet do more than just transport you here and there. Though they don’t speak, they can communicate what conditions may be affecting your tootsies and other areas of your body.

The office of Temecula Valley Podiatry treats the wide spectrum of problems that involve feet. We know the significance of foot comfort, and all of our patients are given as much time and attention as they need.

If your feet hurt at the end of the day, you might blame your footwear. But your shoes aren’t necessarily the culprit. You could have a small bone fissure—a stress fracture—from intense, high-impact activities such as distance running, basketball and pickleball. 

If one or both of your heels hurt, it could be from plantar fasciitis, which happens when you overstretch or overuse the thick band of ligaments that connect your heel bone to your toes. The discomfort may be most intense when you get out of bed in the morning. Tendonitis, arthritis, too much exercise and ill-fitting shoes can make your heels hurt as well. 

A few perpetrators may be why the skin on your foot is scaly and itchy: athlete’s foot (a common fungal infection) or contact dermatitis (a negative reaction to chemicals or skin care products) can cause redness, dry patches and itching. Thick skin with small red bumps could indicate psoriasis.

Temporary swelling can be from sitting on a long plane flight or prolonged standing on a hard surface. If the swelling doesn’t quickly subside, it may be due to a blood clot, a kidney disorder, an underactive thyroid, poor circulation in your veins or trouble in your lymphatic system. If the swelling persists, see a doctor. 

Foot sores that don’t go away are substantial signs of diabetes, which can hinder sensation, circulation and normal sore healing. Even a simple blister can transform into a worrisome wound. Sores that are slow to heal can also be from poor blood circulation. Have a podiatrist keep a close watch on them. 

If it feels like a marble is in your shoe, or if pain in the ball of your foot spreads to your toes, Morton’s neuroma—a thickening of the nerve between your third and fourth toes—is a possibility. Look to an injury or excessive pressure on the toes as the cause. 

Whatever foot concern you have, count on the expertise of everyone at Temecula Valley Podiatry. We will scrupulously evaluate the health of your feet and patiently answer all of your questions. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.