What you need to know about the polio-like disease that appears in the United States

Dry and scaly feet

It might be: Thyroid problems, especially if the moisturizer does not help. When the thyroid gland (the butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck) gets in motion, it does not produce the correct thyroid hormones, which control the metabolic rate, blood pressure, tissue growth and development. of the skeletal and nervous system. "Thyroid problems cause severe skin dryness," says Marlene Reid, DPM, foot specialist in Naperville, Illinois. "When we see cracks on our feet or if the moisturizer does not improve the dryness in a few days, we usually refer patients to their GP to make sure their thyroid is OK." Brittle nails can also report thyroid complications. Do not miss these 13 other silent signs of a thyroid problem.

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Bald toes

It might be: Arterial disease. If the toe of your toes suddenly disappears, it may indicate poor circulation caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD). "The signs of DPA may include decreased hair growth on the feet and ankles, purple toes, and thin or shiny skin," says Suzanne Fuchs, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at North Shore University Hospital in New York. Accumulation of plaque in the arteries of the legs, the PAD affects about 8 million Americans. The symptoms are subtle, but doctors can check the pulse of the foot or spot the PAD on an x-ray. "If I take a X-ray of a broken foot and I see a hardening of the arteries, 99% of the time, it happens the same thing in the blood vessels of the heart," says Gary A. Pichney, DPM, a pediatrician. surgeon at the Foot and Ankle Institute of the Mercy Medical Center. (These 11 tests detect silent heart disease.)

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Ulcers that do not heal

It might be: Diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar can damage the nerves and cause poor circulation. The blood does not reach the feet. When the blood does not reach a wound caused by, for example, irritating shoes, the skin does not heal properly. "Many people with diabetes are first diagnosed because of foot problems," says Reid. Other signs of diabetes may include tingling or numbness of the feet. Ask your doctor to have your blood glucose tested. Memorize these 12 foot care tips that you should follow if you are diabetic.

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Painful big toe

It might be: What you ate. Full of wine and steak? The painful consequences could be gout, a type of arthritis that usually affects the big toe joint. (Here are some natural remedies for pain and swelling.) Purity-rich foods, a chemical compound found in red meats, fish and some alcohols, can trigger an attack by increasing acid levels. uric in the body. Uric acid is normally excreted in the urine, but it is overproduced or under-excreted in some people. "You will notice the uric acid deposit in the joint, usually the big toe or ankle," said Bob Baravarian, DPM, a foot and ankle podiatry specialist at Providence Saint John's. s Center of Santa Monica, California. "The patient will wake up with a hard, red, swollen joint. It is extremely painful. A doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories for short-term relief and suggest a low purine diet for long-term prevention. Whether you have gout or not, learn how pedicures prevent foot problems by wearing sandals.

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Tiny red lines under the nail

It might be: A heart infection. Red streaks under the fingernails or nails could be broken blood vessels called splinter haemorrhages. These occur when small blood clots damage the tiny capillaries under the nails. They can report endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. People with existing heart disease, who have received a pacemaker or whose immune system is chronically inhibited (such as cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, HIV patients and diabetic patients) are at higher risk of developing endocarditis. The infection can lead to heart failure if it is not treated. If you notice splinter haemorrhages on your fingernails or nails and you have not had any recent trauma to the nail, check with your doctor to check your heart and blood circulation. Learn what your natural nail color says about your health.

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Clubbing

It might be: Lung cancer or heart disease. Another symptom that appears in both toes and fingers, clubbing is often associated with lung cancer, chronic lung infection, heart disease or intestinal disease. Lung cancer and heart disease reduce vascular resistance, which means that blood flow to the small arteries of the finger nails and fingertips will increase. The fabric swells and gives the appearance "clubbed" (fingers and toes rounder and wider). Although patients generally know that they are suffering from a disease that causes bludgeoning, it is best to be checked if you notice any abnormalities. Do not overlook these other silent signs of major health problems.

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Nails stitched

It might be: Psoriasis. If you find tiny holes, furrows, or ridges in your nails, you may have psoriasis. Although most people with nail psoriasis also have skin psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that makes the skin look uneven and irritated), 5% of people with nail psoriasis are not affected elsewhere. "If you have never been diagnosed with psoriasis, but your nails contain small bites, you should have them checked," says Pichney. Other symptoms include white spots and horizontal lines on the nails. To treat psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe topical creams or steroids to inject under the nail. Learn about skin care that routine dermatologists recommend for psoriasis.

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Nails with a spoon

It might be: Anemia or lupus. Do you have a depression in the nail deep enough to hold a drop of water? Also known as koilonychia, the spoon-shaped nails may indicate iron deficiency, as well as hemochromatosis (overproduction of iron), Raynaud's disease (which affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes) and sometimes lupus (an autoimmune disease). the body's immune system attacks cells, tissues and organs). Spoon nails sometimes appear in infants, but normalize in the first years of life. If you notice a spoon, contact your doctor, who will give you a blood test to identify the exact cause. Discover these other information revealed by your nails on your health.

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A straight line under your nails

It might be: Skin cancer. A dark vertical line under the nail could be acral lentiginous melanoma or hidden melanoma – a form of skin cancer that appears on dark parts of the body. (The other hidden melanomas include eye melanoma and oral melanoma.) "This will be a black line going from the base of your fingernail to the end of the nail," says Pichney. "It should be seen by a podiatrist or a dermatologist. You want to make sure that it is not a fungus, which is usually yellow-brown and sporadic all over the nail. Although only 5% of diagnosed melanoma cases are of the hidden type, hidden melanoma is the most common type in dark-skinned people. Here are other symptoms of skin cancer that are not on your skin.

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An arch suddenly high

It might be: Nerve damage. "Most feet with a high arch are associated with a form of underlying neuromuscular disorder," says Pichney. "If someone has thinned arch muscles, this could be an indication of a neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)." An inherited disease that damages the peripheral nerves (outside the brain and spinal cord). CMT may also result in gait changes, numb feet, balancing difficulties, loss of lower leg muscles and, later, similar symptoms in the arms and hands. Consult your doctor if you notice any abnormalities. "For anything that is different or changing with regard to the foot, consult your podiatrist immediately," says Reid. Also watch out for those sneaky ways that your feet can disturb with your sleep.

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