{"id":3086,"date":"2025-05-20T14:18:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=3086"},"modified":"2025-05-21T21:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T21:34:08","slug":"what-your-toes-say-about-your-health-8-warning-signs-to-look-out-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/what-your-toes-say-about-your-health-8-warning-signs-to-look-out-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What your toes say about your health \u2014 8 warning signs to look out for"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Your toes and toenails offer a surprising glimpse into your overall health (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next time you’re giving yourself a pedicure<\/a>, consider looking beyond which shade of polish best compliments your favourite sandals.<\/p>\n

‘While often overlooked, your toenails and feet<\/a> play a huge role in your overall health and it\u2019s important to pay attention to their condition,’ says Sheena Bagga, pharmacist prescriber at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.<\/p>\n

Although many problems with toes and nails<\/a> are easy to treat, changes to their appearance can be clues<\/a> that something more sinister needsprofessional medical attention.<\/p>\n

Here, she tells Metro<\/strong> the main symptoms to look out for<\/a>, and the different health issues each signal might point to.<\/p>\n

Yellow discolouration <\/h2>\n
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Fungal infections are a common issue (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘Yellow discolouration can indicate a toenail infection, which can occur on any part of the nail,’ Sheena explains. ‘This causes the nail to discolour, become crumbly, or thicken.’<\/p>\n

Alternatively, yellowing could be down to nail psoriasis, but this typically comes alongside pitting or patches, and it may also be lifted from the nail bed underneath.<\/p>\n

To prevent infections, the advice is to keep your nails short and clean, wear a clean pair of socks every day, and ensure your shoes fit correctly. <\/p>\n

Dark nail stripes <\/h2>\n
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Regular toe stubbers will recognise this one (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A brown or black band running lengthwise along the nail – known as melanonychia – is normally nothing to worry about. <\/p>\n

When the cause is benign, it’s likely either a variation in pigmentation or the result of an injury.<\/p>\n

But in some rare cases, Sheena says it’s ‘a tell-tale sign’ of a type of skin cancer called Subungual Melanoma – so if you’re concerned, it’s worth getting it checked out.<\/p>\n

Swollen toes<\/h2>\n
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Thought gout was just for Henry VIII? Think again (Picture: Getty\/Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to Sheena, toe swelling can be caused by a number of conditions, including lymphatic issues, poor blood flow, or even gout.<\/p>\n

‘Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis characterised by sudden, severe joint pain, often in the big toe, caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints,’ she explains. ‘It is more likely to occur in people who are overweight, and consum<\/p>\n

There are less serious reasons for swelling though, including:<\/p>\n