I’m a foot doctor – here’s what your feet reveal about your health and your risk of silent killers

OUR hardworking feet travel an average of 110,000 miles in their lifetime.

This means they deserve a lot of care and attention, but our teeth can also offer a window into the state of our health.

Get puffy feet, which may be an effect of the hot weather.

High temperatures can cause fluid to build up in your body, making your ankles, feet and legs swell, a condition also called edema.

It can be quite uncomfortable and make your skin look shiny and tight.

Here, Dina Gohil, podiatrist and Nailner brand ambassador, talks to Lucy Gornall about common foot problems and what they could mean. . .

Calluses

“ONE of the most common foot problems affecting men and women alike is the formation of calluses, also known as calluses.

“It’s usually on the toes, balls of the feet, and dry, cracked heels,” says Dina.

We are constantly shedding and renewing skin, but sometimes the rate at which this happens becomes unbalanced due to forces such as pressure and friction.

Dina says, “The imbalance of the process causes a dysfunction that allows the skin to build up—that’s the callus.”

Calluses can occur due to ill-fitting shoes, genetics, bone friction, lack of hydration in the body, obesity and diabetes.

WHAT TO DO: “Make sure you drink enough water, gently use a foot file or pumice stone during the week and use a good foot cream with urea in it.”

“If your callus is too thick and these home treatments aren’t effective, then see an orthopedist.”

CALLOUSED HEELS

WHETHER painful or not, cracked heels can be unsightly, especially if you plan to wear sandals.

Dina says: “They occur as a result of moisture loss in the heels and as we walk, the pressure on the heel pad causes the callus on your heels to crack.

“Some of the most common causes are obesity, aging, pregnancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism, fungal infection, vitamin deficiency, and biomechanical imbalances such as flat feet.”

You may benefit from taking a multivitamin supplement, as deficiencies in vitamins C, E, and B are associated with cracked heels.

WHAT TO DO: Dina recommends staying hydrated and using a pumice stone to gently exfoliate dry skin.

She says, “For chronic cracked heels that are painful to the touch, be sure to see an orthopedist to help you safely and effectively rehabilitate your heels.”

ACHES AND PAINS

DINA says: “Pain could be a sign that your feet are in the wrong shoe size or are overcompensated and need help.

“Pain can also be due to injury, deformity and metabolic or poor circulation.”

She adds that when your feet don’t feel optimal, it can cause a natural change in the way you walk, which can cause certain soft tissues, ligaments, tendons and muscles to be used more than others, which can cause stress on your joints, therefore affecting the rest of your body.

WHAT TO DO: Dina says: “If you notice that the pain persists, it’s worth visiting your GP to have a check-up.

“Be sure to incorporate rest into your day while wearing shoes that fit comfortably.”

BUNIONS

EVEN celebrities are prone to bunions, with Victoria Beckham known to suffer from them. Despite their A-list status, bunions can be very painful.

“Bunions, also known as Hallux abductus valgus, are medial deviations in the joint space attached to the big toe, causing a bony protrusion,” says Dina.

“Unfortunately, they are very common, and although the exact cause is unknown, the most common factors include genetics, tight, tight-fitting shoes, high-impact activities (such as running), flat feet, arthritis, trauma or injury, and neuromuscular disorders (such as cerebral paralysis and multiple sclerosis).’

WHAT TO DO: Surgery can correct the alignment, but for maintenance and pain reduction methods you should wear shoes with enough room in the forefoot and good support in the middle of the foot, do exercises to keep the joint flexible (such as pointing, bending and rotating regularly during the day ) and use toe separators or splints.

YELLOWING

ALTHOUGH the discoloration may simply be a case of needing a break from nail polish, Dina says thick, discolored nails are likely a sign of a fungal infection.

The discoloration may appear white, yellow, or even darker brown, depending on the individual.

She says: “When a fungal infection starts, you may start to notice a change in color on a small part of your nail and notice that it gets bigger over time.

“In chronic cases, this may have already spread to most of the nail.

“As it spreads, the nail may become brittle, ‘flaky’ and you may notice that it breaks easily and may have an odor.

“With a chronic infection, the nail may thicken. The nail may begin to separate from the nail bed, causing pain and the odor may be more noticeable.

WHAT TO DO: If yellow nails keep getting worse, it could also be a sign of diabetes, psoriasis or even thyroid disorders, so see your GP if you’re worried.

An over-the-counter antifungal treatment can help with infections.

CRAMPS

THESE could be a sign that you are deficient in magnesium, calcium or potassium.

Dina says, “They can also occur due to dehydration and overexertion.”

WHAT TO DO: Supplement your vitamin intake by eating magnesium-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, leafy green vegetables, almonds, quinoa and dark chocolate.

Calcium can be found in dairy foods and green leafy vegetables, while potassium-rich foods include bananas, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.