From no hair to always being cold – what your toes can reveal about your health and when you must see a doctor
THEY may be one of the smaller body parts, but your toes can reveal a great deal about your health.
Doctors say they can help identify mild illnesses, such as athlete's foot, and even more serious ones like diabetes and heart disease.
Dr Chun Tang, GP and medical director at , told The Sun: "The condition of your toes can offer insights into your overall health, with potential indicators such as discoloration, swelling, or changes in nail texture.
"Toes can serve as indicators of health issues due to their vascular nature, responsiveness to circulatory problems, and susceptibility to various conditions."
Specifically, he said changes in nail colour, texture or growth patterns, as well as alterations in skin condition, can signal issues like poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies or underlying systemic diseases like high blood pressure.
Swelling, pain or deformities on the other hand can indicate musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or inflammatory conditions, he added.
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And the presence of skin abnormalities, including rashes and lesions, could suggest "dermatological or infectious concerns";.
Whatever the problem it's important to get it checked early, according to Dr Tang.
"Regular observation of these subtle changes can prompt early detection and intervention, potentially preventing the progression of underlying health issues," he said.
"It is advisable to see a doctor for persistent or severe issues like constant pain, deformities, discoloration, or sudden changes, and emergency medical attention is warranted for acute issues like severe injuries, sudden severe pain, or signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, especially if accompanied by fever."
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Here, we take a closer look at what your tootsies could be trying to tell you - and how to address the problem.
Wounds that won't heal
Noticed you have wounds on your feet that just won't heal?
You could be diabetic, according to Dr Tang.
"Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels," he said.
"Elevated glucose levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation and reduced sensation in the feet.
"This compromised blood flow makes individuals with diabetes prone to foot ulcers.
"Wounds on the toes may also not heal properly due to impaired immune response, increasing the risk of infections and complications."
His advice? Regular foot care, monitoring, and glycaemic control.
"These things are essential to prevent and manage diabetes-related foot issues and promote overall health," the GP added.
To look after your feet at home, Diabetes UK recommends you:
- Check your feet every day
- Take extra care when cutting your nails (ideally using nail clippers and an emery board)
- Wash your feet with soap and water daily
- Moisturise using an emollient cream every day
- Wear shoes that fit properly (that are broad fitting, have a deep rounded toe, are flat, and a fastened by a lace or buckle)
- Avoid using blades or corn plasters
- Get expert advice if you're worried
- Stop smoking
- Eat well and stay active
- Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
More than 4.3million people in the UK live with diabetes, and 850,000 could have it but have no idea, the charity estimates.
Cold toes
In cold weather, it's normal for your feet to get a little chilly.
But if your toes are feeling persistently icy, it could be worth seeing your GP.
Cold toes can be a sign of hypothyroidism, heart disease and arthritis, according to Dr Chang.
"In hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid gland results in decreased metabolism and reduced blood flow to extremities, leading to cold sensations," he said.
"The slowed metabolism can also affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.
"Heart disease, particularly conditions affecting blood vessels like atherosclerosis (fatty deposit build up), compromises the circulation to the toes, impairing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to feel cold.
"This may lead to inefficient pumping of blood, reducing the warmth reaching the toes.
"And arthritis, characterised by inflammation in joints, may restrict blood flow and contribute to coldness in the affected areas.
"This can cause stiffness and reduced mobility, affecting the natural warming of the toes through movement."
If any of this applies to you, you should make an appointment with your GP.
"It could indicate underlying health issues requiring specific management and treatment," Dr Tang said.
There are around 7.6million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, and more than 10million with arthritis.
About two in every 100 people in the UK have hypothyroidism.
Itchiness
Up to a quarter of all Brits will get athlete's foot at some point in their lives.
One of the main symptoms of the fungal infection is itchy white, yellow or red patches between the toes.
Dr Tang said: "The condition thrives in warm, damp environments like shoes, leading to redness, itching, and peeling.
"Fungal overgrowth can also result in the yellowing of toenails.
"The infection irritates the skin, triggering itchiness, while the fungus may produce pigments causing discolouration."
The best way to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence is maintaining proper foot hygiene, using antifungal treatments and keeping feet dry as much as possible, he added.
But if your issues persist, see a doctor.
Ballooning
An extra large big toe can be a sign of gout - a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain.
The skin might also be hot, swollen or red.
Dr Tang said: "Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in joints.
"It leads to sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness, commonly affecting the big toe.
"High uric acid levels form needle-like crystals in joints, triggering intense inflammation.
"The big toe is a frequent target due to lower temperatures in this area, favouring crystal formation."
The NHS estimates that about one in every 100 people in the UK are affected by gout.
According to Dr Tang, flare-ups can be managed with lifestyle changes - such as healthy eating and exercise - and medication to reduce uric acid levels.
"But a consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment," he added.
Sunken nails
Another condition you might be able to spot in your toes is anaemia.
"This is characterised by a lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen," Dr Tang said.
Specifically, you may notice your nails are sunken or concave - known as koilonychia.
";This nail deformity occurs due to the altered growth and structure of the nails," the GP added.
It's important to speak to a healthcare professional if you think you might be anaemic, as blood tests likely need to be carried out.
Treatment usually involves iron supplementation or addressing certain nutritional deficiencies.
An estimated three per cent of men and eight per cent of women have iron deficiency anaemia, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Swelling
There are lots of potential causes for toe pain or swelling.
But one fairly common one, according to Dr Tang, is dehydration.
"Inadequate fluid levels can cause the toes to swell as the body retains sodium to maintain water balance," he said.
"This sodium retention leads to increased fluid volume in the body's tissues, resulting in swelling, or oedema.
"Swollen toes can be a sign of systemic dehydration, emphasising the importance of maintaining proper fluid intake for overall health."
In severe cases, dehydration may cause electrolyte imbalances and organ dysfunction, so increasing the amount you drink is "crucial" to alleviate swelling and prevent complications, he added.
If your toe continues to be swollen or painful, give your GP surgery a call.
Disappearing hair
Many people shave or wax their toes so they are entirely hair-free.
But did you know that hair on your toes is actually a sign of good circulation, and a natural lack of hair can be a sign of a circulatory disorder?
As well as leg pain, one of the main symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is hair loss on your feet.
The condition, also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), occurs as a result of a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, which restricts blood supply to the leg muscles.
"These narrowed and hardened arteries compromise blood supply, particularly to the toes, and lead to inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles," Dr Tang said.
"As a result, hair follicles may shrink, causing finer, shorter, and less pigmented hair.
"The miniaturisation of hair follicles contributes to the appearance of disappearing hair on the toes."
As with all conditions, the earlier you spot the issue, the sooner you can get it treated.
Dr Tang said early detection and management of PAD is crucial to prevent complications and improve vascular health.
About one in five people over the age of 60 have some degree of PAD, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Boniness
Whether it's extra long second toes or barely-there little ones, everybody's feet look different.
And most of the time, these individual variations are nothing to worry about.
But if you have bony lumps that form on the insides of your feet near your big toes, you may have bunions.
"Bunions are bony protrusions at the base of the big toe, often caused by the misalignment of the joint," Dr Tang said.
"As the big toe tilts inward, it forces the joint to jut outward, forming a bunion.
"This misalignment and pressure on the joint lead to inflammation, causing painful swelling.
"Over time, the bunion may worsen, resulting in increased discomfort and difficulty wearing certain footwear."
If these aren't bothersome, there may be no need for concern.
But some people report difficulty wearing shoes and severe pain.
Wearing wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole can help, as can ice packs, bunion pads and paracetamol.
But in some cases, surgery is the only option.
Speak to your GP about your options, or self-refer to a podiatrist.
An estimated 15million people in the UK have bunions, the majority of which are women over 45.
Nail curling into the skin
If you have red bulges on your toes or your toenail is curling into the skin, you may have an ingrown nail.
These are incredibly common, but they can be incredibly painful.
If you go to a GP with an ingrown toenail, they will usually suggest you:
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- Soak your foot in warm, salty water to soften the skin
- Keep your foot dry
- Wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain
- Avoid cutting or picking your nail
- Don't wear tight, pointy shoes
If these things don't work, go back to your GP or refer yourself directly to a podiatrist.