Feet issues can be a sign of a bigger health condition. According to Miguel Cunha, a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, feet are the farthest body parts from our heart and lungs, so they’re the last to get the message – the oxygen, the nutrients, the growth factors.

Seven Foot Symptoms to Watch Out For

Several body systems have to be operating smoothly to get blood and nerve signals all the way down and back up, Cunha said, which means that when a systemic issue occurs, feet can be the first to reveal it. Some of these symptoms include loss of hair on the feet and toes, a red, itchy patch on the inner ankle, numbness, burning or tingling in the toes, a sore that won’t heal, sudden-onset big toe pain, thick, yellow toenails, and brittle, ridged or spoon-shaped nails.

Loss of hair on the feet and toes can be an early sign of a vascular issue. A red, itchy patch on the inner ankle can be a sign of venous insufficiency. Numbness, burning or tingling in the toes can be a sign of damaged or dysfunctional nerves, also known as neuropathy. A sore that won’t heal can be a sign of a vascular issue, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Sudden-onset big toe pain can be a sign of gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis. Thick, yellow toenails can be a sign of fungus or psoriasis. Brittle, ridged or spoon-shaped nails can be a sign of a systemic insult, such as a major illness or nutritional deficiency.

If you spot any of these symptoms, it’s always better to discuss early findings with a healthcare provider, according to Jeffrey DeLott, a podiatric surgeon at Connecticut Orthopaedics. A general practitioner or podiatrist can help with immediate care and recommend seeing a vascular surgeon or endocrinologist depending on the underlying issue.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.