5 Signs of Underlying Disease From Your Feet

5 Signs of Underlying Disease From Your Feet

  1. Tiny, red lines under the toenail

Tiny red lines under the toenail can be a sign of a heart infection. Red lines under the toenail could be broken blood vessels known as splinter hemorrhages. These occur when small blood clots damage the tiny capillaries under the nails. They can signal endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. People who have an existing heart condition, have received a pacemaker, or who have chronically suppressed immune systems are at higher risk of developing endocarditis. The infection can result in heart failure if left untreated. If you notice red lines under the toenails it is important to see a podiatrist right away for further testing. 

  1. Clubbing

Clubbing of the feet can be a sign of lung cancer or heart disease. A 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 decrease vascular resistance, which means blood flow to the small arteries in the toenails and fingertips will increase. Tissues swell, resulting in the clubbed looked.

  1. Pitted toenails

Pitted toenails can be a sign of psoriasis. If you find tiny holes, grooves, or ridges in your toenails, you may have nail psoriasis. Though most people who experience nail psoriasis also have skin psoriasis, it is not a guarantee.

  1. Spooned nails

Spooned nails can be a sign of anemia or lupus. Do you have a depression in the toenail deep enough to hold a water droplet? Also known as koilonychia, spoon-shaped toenails or fingernails can indicate iron deficiency, as well as the overproduction of iron, Raynaud’s Disease and sometimes lupus. Spooned nails occasionally appear in infants, but normalize in the first few years of life.

  1. A straight line under your toenails

A straight line under your toenails can be a sign of skin cancer. A dark, vertical line underneath a toenail could be acral lentiginous melanoma, or hidden melanoma—a form of skin cancer.

If you have any symptom listed above on your feet, it is important to see a podiatrist right away. Many of these underlying conditions can be very severe if not treated properly. Call Joseph Stuto, DPM of Brooklyn, New York. There Dr. Joseph A. Stuto and Joseph C. Stuto will examine your feet and test for any underlying conditions that may be causing your foot and ankle issues. Call 718-624-7537and make an appointment today. Act before a small problem becomes a big one.

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