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Is My Foot Lying to Me? Phantom Feelings from Nerve Damage

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Ever feel a weird burning, crawling, or pinching in your foot and swear your sock is bunched up, only to find nothing there? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari hears reports of these phantom sensations all the time, and they are often the clearest sign of neuropathy, which is a condition that affects how the nerves communicate. Let’s discuss some of the most common sensations in detail.

Common Symptoms of Nerve Damage in the Feet

Your nerves are like the body’s wiring system. When they get damaged, compressed, or irritated by conditions like diabetes, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or a neuroma, they start to short-circuit.

Here are some of the weirdest and most common phantom sensations your feet might experience:

The Stuck Pebble Sensation

  • What it feels like: You constantly feel like you are standing on a marble, a small rock, or a wrinkled sock, usually right under the ball of your foot between your toes.
  • The reality: There’s nothing actually there. This feeling is caused by a Morton’s neuroma, which is a thickening of nerve tissue, and makes the nerve itself take up space and feel like a foreign object when compressed.

Pins and Needles

  • What it feels like: A crawling, prickling, or stinging sensation, like a thousand tiny needles that comes on for no reason.
  • The reality: This is paresthesia, and it means the nerve signals are going haywire, often caused by minor nerve compression or early-stage neuropathy.

The Burning/Icy Effect

  • What it feels like: Your feet feel intensely hot, as if they are perpetually on fire or submerged in scalding water, or sometimes they feel intensely icy and cold.
  • The reality: This is a classic sign of neuropathic pain. The damaged nerves are wrongly interpreting temperature signals.

The Itch You Can’t Scratch

  • What it feels like: An intense, sometimes debilitating itching sensation, often deep inside the skin or muscles, that you can’t scratch away with any relief.
  • The reality: There is no rash or external cause. This happens when damaged nerves misfire, and your brain translates the abnormal signal into an unrelenting itch.

Extreme Sensitivity

  • What it feels like: Normally, non-painful stimuli become excruciating. The slight brush of a pant leg can feel agonizing.
  • The reality: This is called allodynia. Pain receptors become severely oversensitive.

The Muscle Jump

  • What it feels like: You might notice subtle, spontaneous, quick twitching in the muscles of your foot or calf, even when you’re resting.
  • The reality: This is fasciculation, which is minor, involuntary muscle contractions often associated with nerve irritation or damage.

Disclaimer: We’ve all had these sensations from time to time. But if you are experiencing many of these in tandem frequently, it could be a sign of neuropathy. Visit us for a consultation!

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Gentle Exercises That Benefit Foot Health

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How can your yoga routine benefit your foot and ankle health? Or will my HIIT training affect my plantar fasciitis? It’s questions like these that we at Carrollton Foot Center love to answer, especially on International Podiatry Day. Let’s explore the gentle exercises that help your feet and ankles.

Exercises That Help Your Feet

 

Yoga

Especially slower flows or yin styles, give your calves, plantar fascia, and toes time to lengthen without yanking on them. Poses like Down Dog, Low Lunge, and Toe Squat build ankle mobility and strengthen the arches when you focus on spreading the toes and pressing evenly through the foot.

Pilates

Particularly, reformer or mat footwork targets the intrinsic muscles that support your arch while training your hips and core to share the load. Pilates is great for people who overpronate or fight heel pain.

Tai Chi

Adds balance and control; the slow weight shifts teach your feet to meet the ground evenly, which can calm cranky ankles and reduce tripping.

Barre

Another sleeper hit: small calf raises, controlled pliés, and careful turnout, within your natural range, build strong, springy lower legs without pounding your joints.

Finally, short, barefoot balance sessions on a safe indoor surface help reconnect your brain and feet. Think single-leg stands by the counter, soft knee bend, steady breath, 30–60 seconds at a time.

Smart Accessories and At-Home Add-Ons

A light resistance band opens the door to ankle eversion/inversion exercises that shore up your lateral ankle and reduce sprain risk; add slow alphabet tracing with your foot to build control through every angle.

A foam roller under the calves and a gentle ball roll (tennis or lacrosse) under the arch can improve tissue glide before you move, and a short pass with a massage stick on the shins helps balance the load across the lower leg.

A thin towel for toe scrunches or a few marble pickups wakes up the small foot muscles that support your arch, while toe spacers, 10–15 minutes as tolerated, can ease forefoot squeeze after a day in tight shoes.

If balance is a goal, a simple cushion or balance pad adds just enough wobble to challenge your stabilizers. Just stand near a counter for safety.

None of this needs to be intense. Five to ten minutes before your walk or class is plenty; keep pressure gentle, a 3–4 out of 10, and skip anything that causes sharp pain or tingling.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

5 Subtle Warning Signs of Foot Conditions You Shouldn’t Ignore

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If we at Carrollton Foot Center know one thing about feet, it’s that they are great barometers of our health. But while a dramatic ankle sprain or a painful ingrown toenail sends a clear message, many foot and ankle conditions begin with subtle, easily missed warning signs. In this blog post, we’ll help you tune your ear to your feet and listen to specific symptoms you shouldn’t dismiss.

That Lingering Ache

If your feet and ankles consistently ache after a normal day of activity, don’t just chalk it up to a long day or being on your feet. A lingering, dull pain that doesn’t disappear with a night’s rest could be an early signal of plantar fasciitis, a stress fracture, or even developing arthritis. While muscle soreness is normal, a sharp or specific ache in a joint or bone is a sign that a particular structure is under too much stress and needs attention.

Numbness and Tingling

A sudden tingling or numbness in your feet is often just a temporary nerve compression from sitting in an awkward position. But if you experience persistent or recurring sensations like pins and needles, or if your feet feel numb without an obvious cause, it’s a definite red flag.

These sensations can be an early sign of peripheral neuropathy, which is a common complication of diabetes. It can also be a symptom of a pinched nerve in your back, or a condition like tarsal tunnel syndrome in your ankle, where a nerve is being compressed. While these aren’t guarantees, it’s important to get them checked sooner rather than later.

Skin, Nail, and Hair Changes

If you notice your feet are consistently cool to the touch, or if the skin on your legs and feet appears unusually shiny, pale, or bluish, it could be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease and poor circulation.

Similarly, thinning or hair loss on your toes, or toenails that are growing very slowly and have become brittle or discolored, can also be signs that your feet aren’t getting the healthy blood flow they need.

Uneven Shoe Wear

Take a look at the soles of your shoes. If one shoe is wearing down much faster than the other, or if a specific part of the sole is wearing down excessively, it’s a strong indicator of a gait abnormality. This means you might be walking in a way that puts abnormal stress on your feet. And no, not all walking issues are apparent! Biomechanical problems can be subtle, and they’re not just a shoe issue; they need correction, or else they can lead to secondary injuries.

Recurrent Ankle Instability

Believe it or not, that’s exactly what it’s called: chronic ankle instability. If you’ve had a bad ankle sprain in the past and always feel like you’re on the verge of another one, that’s a clear sign of chronic ankle instability. This isn’t just a weakness; it means the ligaments literally haven’t healed properly.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Someone performing shockwave therapy on a foot as a person is laying down

Debunking Common Myths About Shockwave Therapy

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If you’ve been battling persistent foot or ankle pain that just won’t quit, you might have heard about Radial Pulse Shockwave Therapy. We at Carrollton Foot Center swear by it for the treatment of many foot and ankle conditions. But as with any innovative medical technology, there tend to be a lot of misconceptions. So in this article, we’re giving you our honest insight into how shockwave therapy actually works. What’s true and not true? Keep reading to find out.

Myth 1: RSWT is a Painful and Invasive Procedure

This is a common concern, but RSWT is actually a minimally invasive, in-office procedure. The treatment uses a small device to send harmless, low-energy waves to your skin. While patients typically feel a brief, quick pulsing or tapping sensation, the discomfort is generally well-tolerated and short-lived. There is no need for anesthesia, no incisions, and no downtime. You can walk out of the office and go on about your day.

Myth 2: RSWT is Just a “Freeze” Treatment or Basic Ultrasound

RSWT is completely different from cryotherapy and ultrasound. Cryotherapy relies on extreme cold to numb and reduce inflammation, whereas ultrasound uses sound waves to create heat deep within the tissues.

Shockwave therapy, however, uses radial pressure waves to stimulate a natural healing response in the body. How? By increasing blood circulation, breaking up scar tissue, and essentially resetting the healing process in chronic conditions that have stalled.

Myth 3: You Only Need One Session to Be Cured

Radial Pulse Shockwave Therapy is not a one-and-done solution. A series of treatments (typically 3-5 sessions, spaced a week apart) is standard protocol for most chronic conditions.

While you might feel some relief after the first session, the cumulative effect of the treatments is what truly drives long-term healing.

Myth 4: RSWT is Only for Heel Pain

While RSWT is known for fighting against plantar fasciitis, its use is much broader. In fact, it’s effective for various chronic soft tissue injuries like Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and even pain from Morton’s neuroma. Any condition rooted in chronic inflammation, scar tissue, or poor blood flow can potentially benefit from RSWT.

Myth 5: RSWT is a Miracle Cure for Everyone

But despite this versatile range of conditions, shockwave therapy isn’t for everyone. Plus, no medical treatment can offer a 100% guarantee for every single patient. Its success depends on many factors, including your overall health, the severity and duration of your injury, and how well you follow post-treatment care.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Understanding Foot Wounds and What They Mean

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Sometimes, it’s not major foot trauma or a complex condition that requires foot surgery to fix. There are nuisances that we also must tend to – the cuts and scrapes of the world that require our attention. From underlying health issues to risks of infection, find out what to look out for from  Carrollton Foot Center .

Cuts and Scrapes

Everyone gets a cut or a scrape now and then, especially when walking barefoot outdoors or experiencing a minor stumble. These are essentially breaks in the skin from contact with rough or sharp objects, and most will heal quickly with basic first aid.

But if a cut or scrape on your foot is slow to heal, looks unusually pale, or shows any signs of redness, warmth, or pus, it could be indicating something else. This might be a sign of poor circulation, perhaps due to conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease, or it could be a crucial early warning for someone with diabetes, as their wounds heal much slower and are prone to serious infection.

Bruises

Bruises form when small blood vessels under the skin break due to direct impact, which causes blood to leak and show as a dark mark. This often happens from stubbing a toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or a minor fall.

While most bruises on the feet are from trauma, persistent bruising could sometimes hint at an underlying bleeding disorder.

Also, a persistent bruise-like pain on the heel or ball of the foot, often called a stone bruise, can indicate poor cushioning in your shoes or even thinning of the natural fat pads under your foot.

Discolorations

Beyond the typical bruise, changes in your foot’s skin color can be significant. Redness and warmth often signal inflammation or an infection like cellulitis. A bluish or pale tint can indicate poor circulation, perhaps due to Peripheral Artery Disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon. Yellowed or thickened toenails are often the tell-tale sign of a fungal infection.

These are just a few examples. If you see something on your foot that’s a different color than it should be, and you don’t know why, do not hesitate to see a podiatrist.

Puncture Wounds

Stepping on a sharp object is more than just a small gash. These are called puncture wounds, and while they can look small on the surface, they can be quite deep and push bacteria far into the foot.

The biggest danger here is infection, which can be severe if trapped deep within the tissue. Because of this hidden depth, puncture wounds warrant professional attention to ensure proper cleaning and reduce infection risk, especially for those with compromised immune systems or diabetes.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

The Pros and Cons of Having Wide Feet

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Have you ever had to squeeze into a tight shoe that you thought would fit? You might have wide feet, and while this isn’t inherently a problem, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to finding appropriate footwear. At Carrollton Foot Center, we want our patients to better understand their natural foot shape, which is why, in this blog post, we’re uncovering all things about foot width, from good to bad (yes, there are some pros).

How to Tell If You Have Wide Feet

If you’re reading this article, you may already have a clue. If your toes always feel cramped or if your vamp is never quite comfortable, this indicates that your feet don’t fit the standard width of most shoe manufacturers.

Foot width is typically measured at the widest part of your foot, that is, across the ball of your foot, right under the toes. Go to any shoe store, and they’ll have the Brannock device to help you find an accurate fit. However, getting professionally measured by a podiatrist is the best way to measure, especially if you’re already having issues.

Note that another great tell is genetics. They play a significant role in determining foot width; if your parents have wide feet, chances are you might, too.

The Pros of Wide Feet

Before we dive into what foot problems you may already have, let’s discuss some benefits of wide feet.

A broader foot often provides a more stable base for balance, so it could reduce the risk of falls, which could be lifesaving as we age. This increased surface area can also lead to better weight distribution across the foot’s structure when properly supported, which reduces pressure points throughout the feet that a narrower shape may be susceptible to.

When correctly fitted, wide feet can even contribute to the durability of shoes by preventing the material from being stretched and strained excessively.

Foot Conditions Caused by Wide Feet

While wide feet themselves don’t directly cause specific conditions, they can be a risk factor for them when squeezed into ill-fitting footwear, such as:

  • Bunions: Although often hereditary, narrow shoes on a wide foot can severely exacerbate the condition by pushing the big toe inward.
  • Hammertoes: The cramped space forces your toes to curl.
  • Corns and Calluses: Constant rubbing against shoe sides or between squished toes results in thickened, painful skin.
  • Ingrown Toenails: Pressure from a narrow toe box can force the nail into the surrounding skin.
  • Metatarsalgia: If the shoe’s forefoot area is too narrow, it compresses the metatarsals and the nerves between them.

(And let’s not forget: blisters).

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Cycling and Your Foot and Ankle Health

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Did you know that May is National Cycling Month? Before you get out there on your bike, we at Carrollton Foot Center want to inform you of the upsides and downsides of cycling. In this article, we’ll stroll through the surprising relationship between your feet and this low-impact exercise, including the potential injuries you can sustain that most beginner cyclists don’t know about.

How Cycling Can Benefit Your Feet

One of the primary benefits of cycling for the lower extremities is improved circulation. The rhythmic pedaling action helps to pump blood through the muscles of your legs and feet. This can be advantageous for diabetics, people with ankle swelling, or those who spend long hours standing.

Since the circular motion of pedaling encourages a fluid movement in the ankle, cycling can also contribute to an increased range of motion in the ankle joint. While not as extensive as the range of motion during walking or running, this movement can be beneficial for overall joint health.

Many people think cycling is just for the thighs and glutes, however, cycling can indirectly strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankles and feet as they work to stabilize your position on the pedals.

Negative Impacts of Cycling on Your Feet

Despite its low-impact nature, cycling can negatively affect the feet and ankles if proper precautions aren’t taken. The repetitive motion of pedaling (while generally smooth) can lead to overuse injuries if training intensity or duration is increased too quickly.

Do you have neurological issues? While cycling can improve circulation, beware of certain pressure points from the pedals and tight-fitting cycling shoes. Both can compress nerves and blood vessels in the feet, which may not be a good match for these sensitive areas.

For everyone involved, improperly fitted cleats or an incorrect bike setup can also force the feet and ankles into unnatural positions and cause strain.

Common Foot and Ankle Injuries in Cycling

If you’re a cyclist, you should also look out for these common conditions:

  • Metatarsalgia: Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot due to pressure on the metatarsals.
  • Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often linked to improper saddle height or cleat position.
  • Plantar fasciitis: Heel pain that can be aggravated by excessive pedaling or improper foot support within the shoe.
  • Sesamoiditis: Inflammation of the small bones under the big toe joint, potentially caused by increased pressure during the pedal stroke.

Cycling and Your Feet

So, what’s the verdict? It depends on your lifestyle and preexisting foot and ankle health status. However, for non-sensitive people who take the proper steps to cycle safely, this is still a relatively low-impact exercise compared to running.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

5 Foot Conditions Alcohol Contributes To

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While enjoying a drink or two might be a part of social gatherings, excessive alcohol consumption can have far-reaching consequences for the health of your feet and ankles. It’s National Alcohol Awareness Month, which means it’s time to realize that alcohol can interfere with various bodily functions and lead to a range of foot and ankle problems. Today, we at Carrollton Foot Center will unpack 5 of the most common, from causes to symptoms and further complications.

Alcohol’s Impact on Your Feet and Ankles

  1. Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can be significantly affected by excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, meaning it can damage these nerves and impair their ability to send important signals.

This damage often manifests in the feet and ankles and gives you numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness. Reduced sensation in the feet can make it difficult to detect injuries, which increases the risk of unnoticed cuts, sores, and developing infections.

  1. Diabetes

That brings us to alcohol’s effects on diabetes. Not only does it disrupt blood sugar regulation and cause hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, but alcohol is also a diuretic that causes dehydration. If you are a diabetic already prone to infection, excessive use can further increase your risk of dry, cracked skin.

Alcohol also weakens the immune system, making such infections harder to fight off, and contributes to weight gain that puts extra stress on your diabetes (which continues the vicious cycle).

  1. Gout

Gout (a form of inflammatory arthritis) is another condition heavily influenced by alcohol consumption. Essentially, alcohol interferes with the kidneys’ ability to effectively eliminate uric acid from the body. This buildup of crystals drives intense pain in the big toe joint (along with swelling, redness, and warmth).

Gout isn’t exclusive to the big toe, though. It can also affect other joints in the foot and ankle, causing unique discomfort and mobility issues.

  1. Swollen Ankles

Alcohol can impair the function of the liver and kidneys, both of which play crucial roles in regulating fluid balance in the body. When these organs are compromised, it can lead to fluid accumulation in the feet and ankles. This swelling can cause the feet and ankles to feel heavy, tight, and uncomfortable, potentially hindering movement.

  1. Injury

Beyond these specific conditions, studies show that excessive alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of foot and ankle injuries. The impaired coordination, balance, and judgment can result in a variety of injuries, including sprains, fractures, and dislocations.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Why Kids and Adults Need Orthotics

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Custom orthotics are a common treatment for various foot and ankle conditions, but the needs and considerations for pediatric patients differ significantly from those of adults. Today, we at Carrollton Foot Center will explore the key distinctions between pediatric and adult orthotics and highlight how podiatrists tailor their approach to ensure optimal foot health for patients of all ages.

Why Orthotics?

We covered this in a previous blog, but today, we’ll go more in-depth as to how each age group depends on orthotics differently.

In Children:

  • Guiding Growth and Development: Orthotics can help guide proper foot and ankle development in children and address issues like flat feet, in-toeing, and out-toeing. Early intervention can prevent long-term complications and promote healthy biomechanics.
  • Addressing Congenital Conditions: Orthotics can be used to manage congenital foot deformities, such as clubfoot, which helps to correct alignment and improve function.
  • Supporting Neuromuscular Conditions: Children with neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy may benefit from orthotics to improve stability, reduce spasticity, and enhance mobility.
  • Managing Pediatric Foot Pain: Orthotics can address various sources of foot pain in children, such as Sever’s disease or juvenile bunions.

In Adults:

  • Correcting Biomechanical Issues: Orthotics can fix problems like flat feet, high arches, overpronation, or underpronation. These can all cause pain, affect your gait, and ruin your ability to exercise.
  • Managing Foot Conditions: Orthotics can help alleviate pain and improve function in conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, and metatarsalgia.
  • Offloading Pressure: Orthotics redistribute pressure and reduce stress on specific areas of the foot, which is crucial for people with diabetes or those prone to ulcers.
  • Improving Sports Performance: This applies to both groups, but orthotics can enhance athletic performance by optimizing biomechanics and reducing stress on the feet and lower limbs!

Pediatric and Adult Orthotics: Key Differences

In terms of function, pediatric orthotics often aim to guide proper foot development and prevent future problems, whereas adult orthotics may focus more on correcting existing issues and alleviating pain.

One of the key differences between pediatric and adult orthotics is the need to accommodate growth and development. Children’s feet are constantly growing and changing, so their orthotics must be designed to adapt to these changes. In contrast, adult feet generally require a more stable fit to provide greater support and correction.

Orthotic Progress Monitoring

Furthermore, children may adapt to orthotics more quickly due to their greater flexibility and adaptability, while adults may require a longer adjustment period.

Consequently, pediatric orthotics typically need to be re-evaluated more frequently than adult orthotics, usually every 6-12 months, or more often if the child experiences a growth spurt. Adult orthotics, on the other hand, may only need re-evaluation every 1-2 years unless there are changes in the patient’s condition or footwear.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

The Signs of Heart Issues Your Feet Are Showing

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Our hearts are happy for American Heart Month! This February, we at Carrollton Foot Center are prioritizing cardiovascular health and raising awareness about heart disease. In this article, we’ll be explaining the heart and foot connection, sharing with you the signs of heart problems you can detect simply by looking down.

Foot Problems That May Signal Heart Issues

Certain foot appearances and symptoms can indicate a heart problem. These include:

  • Swelling: The heart may struggle to pump blood effectively, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the extremities.
  • Leg Pain: Pain or cramping in the legs and feet, especially during activity, can indicate peripheral artery disease, which we discussed in a recent blog.
  • Skin Changes: Changes in skin color or temperature, such as pale or bluish feet, can explain poor circulation that is potentially linked to heart disease or diabetes.
  • Sores that Don’t Heal: Slow-healing wounds or ulcers on the feet can be a sign of diabetes and inadequate circulation, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
  • Tingling and Numbness: Peripheral neuropathy can occur due to diabetes or circulation issues associated with heart disease.
  • Decreased Sensation: Reduced blood flow to the feet can impair nerve function. This makes it harder to feel injuries or changes in temperature, thereby increasing the risk of foot ulcers and infections.
  • Increased Risk of Infections: Sometimes, heart problems can slow down wound healing and make the feet more susceptible to infections.

The Importance of Foot Care for Heart Health

Beyond foot checks for the aforementioned signs, if you have any existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s important to manage them effectively.

Also, stay active with regular exercise to improve heart fitness and benefit your feet. And lastly, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a podiatrist if you notice any concerning changes in your feet or have any persistent foot problems.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

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4221 Medical Parkway
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Carrollton, TX

(469) 998-3668

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