A leading podiatrist says the appearance of our feet can provide subtle yet very important clues about the state of our overall health.
Sydney podiatrist Kate Edwards said paying close attention to the appearance, skin, texture and colour of your feet, can often reveal an underlying health issue before any other part of your body.
‘Nails and skin can show signs of common inflammatory skin conditions such as dryness, redness and skin flaking, which may indicate possible underlying issues like tinea, eczema, psoriasis or the overuse of medications,’ Kate told FEMAIL.
Simple foot signs such as redness, swelling and pain are easy to dismiss but can indicate that your ‘body is trying to fight against an infection’.
‘Pain is a major indicator that you need medical attention,’ Kate warned.
The director of City Feet Clinic said foot pain can be a result of a direct and readily treatable injuries such as cuts, scrapes, cracks, ingrown toenail or a foreign body like glass or a splinter.
However some unusual spots – including corns, verrucas (warts), moles and ulcers – can hint at more serious issues.
‘Check your feet for spots that might be changing in colour, size, not healing or becoming painful,’ she said.
‘Dark coloured spots can be possible melanomas. These can appear in the skin – top and bottom of feet and nails. Please speak to a medical professional or better yet get a skin check as soon as possible.
‘Little toe split nail – Lister’s corn – can be removed easily and pain free with certain podiatry instruments. Please don’t rip them off and make them bleed, it’s very painful.’
Kate said horizontal or vertical lines across the nails, also known as nail striations, could be a sign of a lack of essential nutrients for health.
‘They could be indicators of low levels of magnesium, zinc or vitamins… or the overuse of medications such as painkillers like Ibuprofen or Panadol,’ she said.
She explained that chipped, cracked nails can sometimes be linked to gut health.
According to the foot expert, thickened nails may be caused by either trauma, fungal infections or medications such as hormonal treatments.
If you’ve experienced a cut, scrape or crack on your feet, Kate said keeping the area clean from dirt, fungal and bacteria is important, as infection control is crucial.
‘For feet, I recommend washing with salt water. Maybe use Betadine one to two times, while some people also use Vaseline to cover the wound,’ she explained.
‘The first few days your body is trying to repair the area so it needs to be covered. Typically a dressing over the top is best. After a few days I would do a salt water bath and then cover with dry dressings until the wound is sealed up, about seven to 10 days.’
However, she warned that regular use of Betadine can lead to burning healthy tissue.
‘Your body is repairing so ongoing use is not advised,’ Kate said.
For blisters, she advised against popping them.
‘The blister is sterile if skin is still intact,’ she said.
‘If broken, use the salt water bath option then look at Compeed (blister patch) they need hydrocolloid in it to help heel. Pop it on and make sure it falls off on its own – try not to pull if off as this can damage the healthy repairing tissue.’
For dry feet, Kate recommended using a moisturiser called KooE Balm Me, which contains urea, a compound that helps to maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
To keep your feet healthy, Kate said it’s best to do regular self-care at home.
‘Pretty simple – buff any skin away, clip your nails straight across and file any catching bits and apply moisturiser after a shower,’ she said.
