6 things your feet can tell you about your health

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While we're all aware it's important to constantly check our skin and certain body parts for any potential health problems, most of us probably wouldn't think to check our feet. But as it turns out, that could be a big mistake! Whether something's going on with your toenails or your heels, your feet can actually alert you to a lot of various health conditions–if you know what to look for. So what could be hiding in your socks? Below, check out 6 things feet can tell you about your health:

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Frequent foot cramps: Cramps can be a sign of a lot of things, from circulation and nerve issues to dehydration. Make sure you're drinking a lot of water. If you think it's a sign of a nutritional deficiency, you could also try upping your intake of calcium and potassium. If the cramps don't let up, check with your doctor to rule out nerve damage.
Sores: A blister is one thing, but if you have stubborn sores that won't heal, it could be a sign of diabetes or skin cancer. So make sure to regularly check the skin on your feet for any irregularities.
Perpetually cold feet: Hypothryoidism is the most common cause of freezing feet and it can also cause a lot of other side effects, like weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss. You can figure out whether you have it with a quick blood test from your doctor and daily meds should help.
Numbness: If you have numbness in one foot only, it's most likely due to a pinched nerve, which is often caused by years of wearing tight shoes. If you have numbness in both feet, it's typically a side effect of diabetes or alcoholism.
Heel pain: If you get a sharp pain in the bottom of the heel when you stand up, it's probably a sign of a strained ligament, most likely from wearing worn-out or too-tight shoes. The longer you ignore it, the longer it'll take to heal. Try stretching out your feet, easing up on your workouts and consider getting more comfortable shoes.
Yellow toenails: Yellowness happens naturally with age, especially if you've been wearing nail polish consistently without a break. But if your toenails are yellow and brittle, you might have athlete's foot.