A lot can be said about a person just by looking at their feet (which sounds much weirder than it's supposed to). Truth can be stranger than fiction…
Before you turn away in disbelief and say “my foot!”, hear us out. It is true that you can find out a lot about a person's health from their feet.
Lynn Toh, a podiatrist from Singapore revealed that your feet are the first to show signs of serious conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.
People often overlook the field of podiatry. They are not just trained to fix calluses, ingrown toenails, or give simple advice on footwear! Podiatry actually involves studying the entire human body, with an emphasis on the lower extremity.
In Lynn’s AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Human, she covered a long list of other questions about podiatry as well as many facts you didn't know about your feet.
No, podiatrists are not just toenail cutters
The biggest misconception people have about podiatry is that its practitioners are nothing more than toenail cutters. To set the record straight, it is true that toenail cutting is part of the job but come on!
A whole bunch of extensive medical processes are also performed by podiatrists. They treat biomechanical conditions like flat feet, high arch feet, bunions and heel pain (among other things).
A session with the Podiatrist cost between $25 - $150
Private clinics that offer initial consultation and assessment can cost anywhere between $50 - $100, according to Lynn. Public clinics, on the other hand, have subsidised charges. Consultation will cost range between $25 - $100.
Purplish, cold feet with poor nail growth could spell diabetes
If a purplish foot isn’t enough to grab your attention, Lynn brings to your attention all the warning signs of an unhealthy foot.
According to her, a foot that has a shiny red or purplish hue, is cold to the touch and has poor nail and hair growth could mean:
- diabetes
- peripheral vascular disease that's blocking blood vessels in the limbs
Numbness in the feet is also not a good sign
Numbness (or a lack of sensation in your feet) could indicate that a person has diabetes or an impingement against a nerve at the spine or along the leg.
Heels can be better than flats!
You may have heard about the dangerous consequences of wearing heels and how they can mess with your health. Well, that might not be the case (depending on a few things).
If you have tight calf muscles, heels might help because it's a softer landing for your heel when it hits the ground. Also, those with heel pain may feel better in a heeled shoe since it shifts the load to the front of the foot.
A little moderation goes a long way. Don’t over-wear either shoe type!
Choose footwear with laces or a strap across the foot
A good shoe fit is important in order to help ensure that your toes are not squeezed together.
Lynn suggests making sure that the width at the front of the shoe is as wide as your foot. There is a thumb's width distance from the front of the shoe to your longest toe.
Shoes or sandals with laces or a strap across the foot can help keep things stable.
Tight shoes cause ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails are running rampant in Singapore. According to Lynn, the common causes include:
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Cutting toenails down to the edges
- Stubbing your toe against a hard surface one too many times (ouch!)
Solutions? Wear wider shoes! Stop being all obsessive-compulsive about the length of your toenails and watch where you walk.
Try firmer shoes to accommodate your flat feet
Flat footed? Get shoes with firm heel counters and midsoles to help keep your feet in a more neutral position.
Also, your shoe should be wide fitting, since flat feet are wider at the midfoot area where the arch collapses. Treatment for flat feet won't be necessary unless there is pain. If you are experiencing pain, going for treatment with a podiatrist wil usually help.
Be careful of the anti-fungal products you choose
In the event that a manicurist tells you that you have a fungal infection and need you to pay extra for a solution to help get rid of it, you should be skeptical.
Reason being, the products they offer are usually off the counter. These products probably contain a very little amount of active ingredients, which makes them not so effective!
Stinky feet? Opt for a pair of 100% cotton toe socks
If your job requires you to wear safety boots for hours, you'll probably understand this. By the end of your shift, you always find that the smell from your feet is enough to make hair curl…
But there's hope! Lynn reccomends you try 100% cotton socks as they are sweat absorbing. Toe socks helps too!
Healthy feet is important
Your feet is more important than you think, so stop neglecting them! Take good care of them and observe them from time to time.
Remember, the state of your feet can say a lot about any deeper medical issues that may be lurking within your body.
Human’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) enables open health conversations between readers, health professionals and patients from all walks of life. View the complete list of upcoming Human AMAs here.
If you are a patient or health professional who's interested in hosting an AMA to share your story, please email editor@human.com.sg.sg. Our team will contact you with more details.