Where Are You Hiding?

Various health conditions can be identified by examining your feet – conditions you didn’t know you had. 
When symptoms occur in the foot, it can identify a potential medical issue. Here are a few of those examples:
Melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer can appear on your feet — on the sole, especially in people with darker skin tones, and even on the toenails. Unlike other forms of skin cancer, melanoma is not likely to develop in high-sun areas that might have experienced severe sunburns. Unlike other forms of skin cancer, it can develop on depigmented parts of the body.
Squamous Cell Cancer – Possibly discovered on the fingertip, nail or nail matrix, this form of cancer looks like anything from an ulcer on their fingertip, to just a malformed nail.
Cold Feet – Possibly signaling poor circulation or Raynaud’s, cold feet is a condition that causes areas of the body to feel numb and frozen, in response to cold weather or stress. Raynaud’s is a pathological level of vassal constriction.
Athlete’s Foot – A scaly, red rash between your toes is the hallmark symptom of Athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that can have itching and burning symptoms.  The infection is contagious, but can typically be treated with over-the-counter medications.
Clubbing in the Nails – Possibly a sign of heart or lung disease, two of the top causes of death in the United States when the amount of oxygen in the blood is reduced. It is marked by softened nail beds, red and/or bulging fingertips and a downward curve of the nail.
Tingling, or “Pins and Needles” in Your Feet – This can signal nerve damage from diabetes — one of the dangerous complications of the condition. This type of neuropathy occurs when blood sugar levels are not properly maintained; over time, the excess of glucose in the bloodstream wreaks havoc on the nervous system.
Dr. Birk has offices in Court House and Beesley’s Point. To learn more about bunion removal surgery, or other foot-related problems, including foot and ankle orthopedic injuries, visit www.DoctorBirk.com or call (609) 465-1644.