1 – Arterial disease

Hairy toes on your feet aren`t too attractive, but they tell you that you`re healthy. Hair loss on your toes can mean you have a disease called peripheral artery disease or PAD. PAD is a common artery disease where fat and calcium build up on artery walls. When arteries are clogged, your body doesn`t receive oxygen-rich blood pumped from your heart. Lifestyle factors that contribute to PAD include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise

2 – Fungal infections

Watch for changes in your toenails. If your toenails start to thicken and separate from the adjacent skin, it could mean there`s a fungal infection under your toenails. Fungal infections are easy to get at the gym or spa. Soft, moist skin areas are ideal breeding grounds for fungi. Fungal infections are often hard to get rid of.

Here are some helpful home remedies that might help you get rid of the infection

• Soaking with rubbing alcohol: Soak your feet with one part water and two parts rubbing alcohol. Soak the area for 30 minutes. After soaking, make sure to dry thoroughly. If you have scratches or cuts, don`t use this remedy, as rubbing alcohol will sting the open wound.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Wipe the affected areas with a cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Then dry completely.
• Black tea: Some people get rid of fungal infections by soaking their toes in a black tea bath for 30 minutes every day. Step out of the foot bath and dry thoroughly.
• Apple cider vinegar: Wipe the infected areas on your feet with a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar.
• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can fight fungal infections.

There are many over-the-counter products that can help, or if you can`t get rid of the infection, consult your doctor about prescribing medication for fungal infection treatment.


3 – Gout arthritis

If you have a swollen and painful big toe, it could indicate gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up. It usually happens in joints, feet, or toes. Excessive alcohol consumption raises uric acid levels in the body, so gout can worsen. Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out uric acid.

4 – Diabetes

Non-healing cuts on your feet are a sign that you have type 2 diabetes. About 20% of people with type 2 diabetes have disease signs that appear on their feet. Diabetes affects your body`s ability to self-heal. Other diabetes symptoms that affect extremities include:

• Foot swelling
• Burning or tingling sensation
• Numbness
• Ulcers on feet
• Bunions and toes
• Blisters

5 – Thyroid

Certain skin conditions can indicate that you have thyroid dysfunction. Watch out for these symptoms:
• Dry, flaky skin. If you have rough or very flaky skin around your heels or other foot areas, it could indicate thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism causes palmoplantar keratoderma, skin thickening on feet and also on hands.

• Itchy skin: Skin itching is a well-known symptom of hypothyroidism. You might feel itching all over your body, not just on your toes.
• Cold feet: Low thyroid function means you have improper blood circulation. As a result, your extremities become cold.
• Foot cramps: Foot cramps are serious hypothyroidism symptoms that are sometimes ignored. If you have chronic foot pain, you might have thyroid issues. Ask your doctor about this possibility. A simple blood test will help determine if your thyroid is functioning properly.
• Smelly feet: With hyperthyroidism, you sweat a lot, especially your feet. Sweating makes feet moist. Moisture promotes bacterial growth, so your feet smell.
• Yellow feet: Your thyroid produces a hormone that helps your body process beta-carotene. If you have thyroid dysfunction, your body can`t process beta-carotene, so it accumulates in the outer skin layers, including feet.

6 – Iron deficiency

If your nails look spoon-shaped, it could indicate anemia or iron deficiency. Look for unusual indentations on your nails. If you notice them, consult your doctor about the possibility of iron deficiency.

7 – Peripheral neuropathy

If you feel tingling or slight numbness at the body`s endpoints, it could be a sign of peripheral neuropathy. This is foot nerve damage that often progresses upward. It`s very important to find out the cause of this sensation, so consult a doctor who can perform tests. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, so it could also indicate your diabetes.

8 – Nervous system disorders

If you have difficulty lifting a part of your foot, it could be ”foot drop.” This could indicate paralysis or weakness in the muscles that lift the foot. Pay attention to this, as it could indicate neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other nerve disorders.

9 – Raynaud`s disease

If your feet turn blue when going out in the cold, it could indicate that you have Raynaud`s. This is a condition where blood vessels don`t function properly to deliver blood to the foot`s skin. If this happens to you, definitely consult your doctor. Raynaud`s is easy to manage, but you need to be especially careful covering your feet and hands when going out in the cold.

10 – Heart disease

Swollen feet, ankles, and lower legs are a sign of edema. Edema is a sign of heart problems. If the heart isn`t functioning properly, blood circulates incorrectly. Blood flow slows down, leading to fluid accumulation in foot and leg tissues.

Foot care

It`s very important to properly care for your feet. To live healthily and actively, you need feet that are as strong and healthy as possible. Here are some simple and practical methods for great foot care.

• Wear comfortable shoes of the right size. Choose shoes that provide adequate support and comfort for your feet. Improperly chosen shoes further cause foot deformities, such as bunions, blisters, and other foot problems. If you have to wear heels at work, choose the right heels and change them throughout the day so your feet can rest.
• Wash your feet every day - keep your feet clean and dry to avoid fungal infections. This is especially important if you use a locker room or spa. Check for fungal infections on your feet.
• Change socks every day. Don`t wear old socks. They can contain bacteria.
• Avoid crossing your legs while sitting - crossing legs can slow blood circulation, resulting in impaired blood flow in your legs. If you do cross your legs, always change your position so blood can flow normally to your extremities.
• When you sit, elevate your feet to improve circulation.

Food for better foot health

Proper nutrition is important for all body parts, but especially for feet. Here are some practical tips on what to eat to keep your adventure-seekers healthy and happy.

• Vitamin D and calcium. Consuming foods high in calcium promotes foot bone development. Eat fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, salmon to get plenty of vitamin D, which protects you from developing osteoporosis. This degenerative bone disease makes your bones thin and brittle.
• B vitamins: Eat foods rich in B vitamins to protect against neuropathy and overall nervous system health. Eat eggs, tuna, cottage cheese, and whole grain products like barley and brown rice.
• Proteins: Proteins provide the best muscle and tissue function around your feet. Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds are great sources of plant proteins. If you eat meat, choose lean meats like chicken or fish.
• Fruits and vegetables: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day to strengthen your immune system and fight diseases.
Remember to treat yourself with proper foot care. They are an important body part that keeps you moving all day long.

Pay special attention to extremities, including feet. Especially note any changes in their appearance or feel. Never ignore inability to properly move a foot, tingling, or numbness.

These symptoms can indicate neurological disorders. Your toes need proper nutrition to maintain your physical fitness, so eat right for extremity health. Choose a healthy diet and exercises as part of a comprehensive foot care program. Your feet will thank you for it.