Each one of us wants to be healthy, but did you know that an excellent way of staying healthy is by examining your feet regularly and understanding what they are trying to tell you? Cold Feet Men's feet tend to be warmer than women's, however extremes of coldness or warmth should not be ignored. Constantly cold feet can be a sign of an underactive thyroid, while hot, sweaty feet could be due to an over active 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 because of several reasons - a common one is a hadening 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, especially when combined with persistent tiredness and fatigue may be an indication 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. Poorly fitting shoes can easily cause foot pain and may lead on to muscular, skeletal and postural 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. If the above is not responsible then self-help options include regular exercise, reducing salt intake while ensuring you drink enough water, not standing in one place for extended periods and not overusing laxatives. Cracked heels A thickening of the skin around the heel area or red flaky skin under the heel can lead to cracks and fissures. Often the culprit may be poorly fitting or open backed shoes or standing for extended periods of time, however cracked heels may also be symptomatic of diabetes, psoriasis, obesity or flat feet. 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. It's possible to eliminate the more common possibilities by daily washing and thoroughly drying your feet and wearing properly fitting shoes, socks and tights etc. If you have any concerns about what your feet may be telling you then it would be advisable to see your doctor who can allay your fears or if necessary arrange for further investigation.
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