Circulation Conditions
Poor circulation (blood flow) can make your foot less able to fight infection and causes reduced healing. Some conditions like Diabetes can cause blood vessels of the foot and leg to narrow and harden, reducing the blood flow.
Chilblains
These lesions are caused by inflammation of small blood vessels on the skin due to repeated exposure to cold.
Symptoms include:
-
Itch and/or burning pain
-
Localised swelling
-
Red/purple discolouration that turns white under pressure.
Varicose veins &
Spider veins
Both conditions result from having weakened or damaged valves in the veins in the legs. However, they have different symptoms.
-
Spider veins are typically small, thin lines that may be flat or slightly raised. They are often blue, red, or purple. They are painless most of the time.
-
Varicose veins are larger and deeper and may appear lumpy or twisted. They are often painful with itching, bleeding, swelling of the legs or ankles and a heavy feeling in the legs
Raynaud’s disease
The body's normal response to cold or emotional stress is exaggerated, resulting in abnormal spasms in small blood vessels called arterioles. The disorder mainly affects the fingers but can also involve the toes.
After an 'episode', an affected area can feel numb or tingly and will usually turn white or blue when exposed to cold or when emotional stress occurs, and then turn red when re-warmed or when the stress eases.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema involves a build-up of lymph (fluid) in the limbs, which causes the limb to swell.
Swelling is often worse at the end of the day and goes down at night. If the swelling is not treated properly, the fluid can become trapped in the leg and create ongoing discomfort.
Chronic Compartment Syndrome
Symptoms of chronic compartment syndrome tend to develop gradually during exercise and improve with rest.
Symptoms can include:
-
cramping pain during exercise, most often in the legs
-
swelling or a visibly bulging muscle
-
a tingling sensation
-
the affected area turning pale and cold
-
difficulty moving the affected body part (severe cases)
Ulcers
Foot ulcers are open sores. They are especially common in people who have:
-
Nerve damage in the feet or lower legs.
-
Circulatory problems such as peripheral artery disease.
-
Abnormalities in the bones/shape of the feet.