You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at them, noticing their energy and how they carry themselves. It’s a familiar notion that outward appearances can reflect inner well-being.
But what if there was another, perhaps unexpected, part of the body that could offer similar insights? Imagine a part of you that quietly reflects your overall health, sometimes even before you are aware.
Just like a smile can hint at a good day, another area might hold subtle yet significant clues about what’s happening within you.
Kate Edwards, a podiatrist from Sydney, shared invaluable insights into what our feet can reveal about our overall well-being. It’s time we looked closer at what our soles and toes are trying to communicate.
The state of our feet can be a window into our health, offering clues that we might otherwise overlook.
According to Edwards, a healthy foot boasts pink, clear nails with white tips and often a half-moon shape at the base. However, deviations from this norm can signal underlying health issues.
‘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,’ she said.
Pain in the feet should never be ignored. It’s a clear indicator that medical attention may be necessary. Edwards explained that pain often follows a skin break, such as cuts, scrapes, or ingrown toenails. These breaks can become gateways for infection if not properly cared for.
One of the more alarming signs to watch for is unusual spots on the feet, including corns, warts, moles, and ulcers.
‘Check your feet for spots that might be changing in colour, size, not healing or becoming painful,’ she warned.
Changes in colour, size, or pain in these spots can be particularly concerning.
‘Dark-coloured spots can possibly be 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,’ she said.
Nail health can also be telling. Horizontal or vertical lines across the nails, known as nail striations, may reveal deficiencies in essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc, or specific vitamins. They could also result from overusing painkillers such as Ibuprofen or Panadol.
She clarified that chipped or cracked nails are sometimes associated with gut health. The foot specialist noted that thickened nails could result from trauma, fungal infections, or medications like hormonal therapies.
If you’ve suffered a cut or scrape on your foot, Edwards emphasised the importance of keeping the area clean to prevent infection.
‘For feet, I recommend washing with salt water. Maybe use Betadine one to two times, while some people use Vaseline to cover the wound,’ she said.
‘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 it with dry dressings until the wound is sealed up about seven to 10 days.’
For those dealing with dry feet, Edwards suggested a moisturiser like KooE Balm Me, which contains urea to help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.
‘Pretty simple – buff any skin away, clip your nails straight across and file any catching bits and apply moisturiser after a shower,’ she said.
Have you ever discovered a health issue through changes in your feet? What are your tips for maintaining healthy feet as you age? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
Also read: How often should you wash your feet? Experts weigh in on the right balance
