Why Are My Feet…

As we have said on the blog countless times in the past, if you are dealing with painful or concerning symptoms, it’s best to undergo an evaluation by a specialist who can see you in person. The following is just general advice, and should not be used to make a definitive diagnosis on your own. With that said, here are some foot conditions that can present with different symptoms:

Why Are My Feet Red? – Redness in your ankles and feet can be caused by a number of different issues, and we actually looked at five of them on this blog about red feet. Skin irritants, infections and vascular issues could be causing the redness in your feet.

Why Are My Feet Cold? – Your feet may be cold because it’s your wedding day and you’re second guessing walking down the aisle. Just kidding. Your feet could be cold simply because of how your body works to keep other body parts warm when you’re cold by restricting blood vessel size, or it could be the result or inactivity or nerve damage. Movement can oftentimes help treat cold feet, but if the problem lingers, reach out to a foot specialist.

Why Are My Feet Swollen – Swollen feet could be the result of bodily changes experienced during pregnancy, but oftentimes it’s also caused by diabetes. If your kidneys cannot expel salt and waste products as needed, it can lead to fluid retention in your extremities, most notably your feet. Issues with your lymph nodes and blood vessels can also contribute to swollen feet.

Why Are My Feet Itchy? – Dermatitis and skin infections are common causes of itchy feet, and oftentimes this sensation will present with other symptoms like redness or dry skin. Topical creams and lotions can help to quell itchy feet in many instances.

Why Are My Feet Hot? – If your feet are hot and you didn’t just finish a workout or other physical activity, this warm sensation could be the result of nerve damage in your feet or legs. This is somewhat common among diabetics and heavy alcohol drinkers, and it can also be the result of hormonal changes during menopause.

Why Are My Feet Blue? – Feet that are white, blue or gray may be an indication that your feet are not getting an adequate amount of blood to the area. Sometimes this happens if they are exposed to extreme cold for an extended period or there are vascular issues that prevent ideal circulation. Black and blue discoloration can also be the result of pooling blood after a severe ankle sprain or fracture.

The post Why Your Feet Are Cold, Hot, Itchy, Red, And More appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

My Feet Are A Different Color

Before we dive into some explanations, we want to preface the next part by saying that the following potential medical conditions should not be used to perform a self-diagnosis. If you are concerned about the color of your feet, contact a foot specialist sooner rather than later. This may be a helpful guide, but it should not be substituted in place for actual in-person medical advice.

Red Feet – Feet can be red for a number of different reasons. Our feet can turn a reddish hue after micro-trauma like running or major trauma like a crush injury or surgery. If you just finished a workout, the movement of blood to your extremities could be causing the coloration, but if they look red without physical activity, it could be a sign that they aren’t actually getting enough blood flow. It can be an early indicator or peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. If your feet and red and swollen, it may also signal an infection.

Yellow Feet – If your feet have a yellowish tint, it could be because you have been eating a lot of beta carotene rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. However, it could also be caused by jaundice, which is a sign of an improperly functioning liver that should be addressed as soon as possible. If the nail bed is yellow, you may be dealing with a toenail fungus.

Blue or Purple Feet – Blue or purple feet tend to occur if you severely sprain or fracture your ankle. When this occurs, your foot goes through the normal bruising process, only it tends to be rather prominent as the blood pools in your feet. Some bruising and discoloration is normal with trauma, but you should have the foot examined by a specialist to determine if any fractures or ligament damage has occurred. If no acute trauma has occurred, it is a sign of poor circulation, and you should visit a doctor.

Green Feet –  Feet should never turn green, so if your foot has a green hue, visit a specialist. However, some people have reported noticing a green tint in their nail bed. This could potentially be a side effect of gout, but more likely it’s a sign of infection or fungus. Unless the green is from toenail polish, visit a specialist right away.

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