5 Things Your Feet Are Telling You About Your Health Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Healthy Living 5 Things Your Feet Are Telling You About Your Health By Everyday Health Guest ColumnistFor Health AnswersReviewed: December 11, 2015Everyday Health BlogsFact-CheckedBy Lance Silverman, MD, Special to Everyday Health Your feet are amazing diagnostic tools that your doctor can use as clues potentially pointing to a whole host of health problems. But you don't need to be a doctor to understand what your feet are saying about your health — you just need to know what warning signs to look for. If you notice any of the following telltale signs or symptoms in your feet, you may want consult your doctor: 1 Dry Flaking Skin If the skin around your heel or on the ball of your foot is dry, cracked, or flaky, it may be a warning sign of a thyroid condition. Your thyroid gland produces hormones that control your metabolic rate, blood pressure, tissue growth, and nervous system functions. Dry skin can signify a problem with your thyroid. Obviously, dry skin can also be the result of many less serious health issues, and sometimes your skin dries out simply because of changes in the weather. But if you notice that the skin on your feet is dry, and you also have symptoms like weight gain, numbness in your hands, or vision problems, set up an appointment with your doctor. 2 Balding Toes While toe hair is more common and visible in men, women generally have fine hairs on their toes as well. If you notice that your toes are losing a little bit of hair, or if they've gone completely bald, it could be a sign of poor blood flow. One cause of insufficient blood supply to the feet and toes is peripheral arterial disease, or PAD for short. When plaque builds up in the arteries of your legs, blood flow can be restricted and PAD can set in. If left untreated, PAD could lead to a heart attack or stroke, or even put you at risk for amputation. If you suspect PAD, see a doctor. You can combat symptoms of PAD by giving up smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing other health conditions, like hypertension or diabetes, that can contribute to the condition. If you already have it, try these foot care tips. 3 Foot Numbness Like toe baldness, foot numbness due to a lack of blood flow in the area can be a sign of PAD. You've probably experienced numbness in your feet if you sat in one position for too long, or if you fell asleep at an awkward angle. But if it happens regularly or while you're active, it’s a problem you shouldn't ignore. Foot numbness is also one of the more common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy related to type 2 diabetes, which affects millions of people. Diabetes complicates blood flow to your feet, which means wounds or cuts may take a longer time to heal, leaving you susceptible to infection. If you have irregular bouts of foot numbness, and wounds on your feet just don't seem to heal, talk to a doctor. To promote healthy blood flow and help prevent type 2 diabetes, be sure to get regular exercise and reach for healthy foods. 4 Black Spots or Lines Under Your Toenails When someone steps on your toes or you drop a heavy object onto your foot, you’ll most likely have some toenail discoloration. Dark discoloration under your toenail isn't typically concerning if you know what caused it. But if you notice discoloration — or black and brown lines — under a toenail and you don't remember injuring your toe, you might want to talk to your doctor. Dark, vertical lines under a toenail could be a sign of a hidden melanoma. We’re getting better at fighting cancer every day, but hidden melanomas often go overlooked and untreated. Toenail discoloration could also be caused by a fungal infection, and while that's much less severe than a potential cancer diagnosis, you should not ignore it. My advice is to check your toenails for discoloration every time you cut your nails. 5 Morning Foot Pain A number of patients have asked me why they experience foot pain in the morning. Burning or shooting foot pain that happens when you take your first few steps out of bed can indicate of a number of potential issues. First, it could be a sign of arthritis, which inflames your joints and can cause pain even in the small joints of your feet. You can control foot pain and other of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with medication and regular exercise; ask your doctor about this if you haven’t already. It's also possible that your morning foot pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition caused by inflammation in the thick band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes; the band remains in a contracted state while you sleep. When you take your first steps of the day, the tissues stretch. If you’re dealing with inflammation, you’ll notice pain. Stretching your feet before you get out of bed, or doing foot-strengthening exercises, can help prevent the onset of plantar fasciitis. Lastly, morning foot pain could be caused by a muscle cramp. As with plantar faciitis, you can avoid foot cramps by stretching your foot muscles before you get out of bed. But cramps may also be a sign of dehydration or a lack of certain nutrients in your diet.Cramps mean your body isn't getting enough calcium, potassium, and magnesium. You can help prevent morning foot cramps by eating a balanced diet and drinking water before heading to bed. Lance Silverman, MD, is a Minnesota orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. He also blogs about foot conditions, high-profile foot injuries, and general health news. Top photo: Natthawon Chaosakun/Shutterstock Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.See More NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Healthy Living 5 Health Benefits of Taking a Bath Plus 5 Healthy Add-Ins for Your Next Soak There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking in a warm tub, and the long-standing tradition of bathing may have some medicinal benefits.By Lacey MuinosSeptember 29, 2022 Health Makers Alex Timmons 34 Co-Owner of Mountain TrekDiscovering a path to wellness.By September 26, 2022 What Are Compression Socks and Could You Benefit From Wearing Them By Kate DanielSeptember 13, 2022 The Complete Hearing Aid Buyer s Guide for 2022Looking for hearing aids but not sure where to start? Read our buyer’s guide to learn about hearing aid types and costs, see what’s new in hearing technology...By Cara EverettAugust 29, 2022 What Are PFAS A Guide to Forever Chemicals Now found throughout our environment, perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals are linked to numerous health conditions — but there are steps you ...By Shantal RileyAugust 18, 2022 Which Medications Make You Sensitive to Sun and Heat Not everyone will experience the effects, but some medications can make the people who take them more sensitive to sunlight and summer heat.By Kaitlin SullivanAugust 8, 2022 7 Ways Reading Books Can Be Good for Your HealthThe hobby supports various aspects of well-being among youths and adults alike, research suggests.By Kristeen Cherney, PhDAugust 5, 2022 Can a Face Ice Bath Really Cure a Hangover Bust Anxiety Clear Skin and More Experts say the TikTok trend might help with some of these things, but if it ‘cures’ your hangover, you probably weren’t hungover in the first place.By Elena BarreraAugust 4, 2022 5 Annoying Ways Chlorine Affects Your Body and What to Do About Them From effects like red eyes to bleached hair, swimming in a chlorinated pool can do a number on your body. Here’s how to deal.By Lauren BedoskyJuly 29, 2022 10 Swimming Safety Tips to Follow This SummerHeading to the beach or a public pool? Check out this expert advice first.By Lisa RapaportJuly 21, 2022 More In Health Answers A Doctor s Tips for Googling Health Information What Is COVID-19 Super Immunity When Is a Cough Serious