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What are the Symptoms of Poor Circulation in the Feet?

Vanessa Harvey
Vanessa Harvey

Signs and symptoms of poor circulation in the feet include changes in skin color and texture; loss of hair or changes in the distribution of hair on the foot; the presence of rashes, foot sores or swelling; and a weak pulse. Claudication, which is dull cramping pain that occurs in the calf after walking; foot numbness; the presence of a venous pattern or enlargement; and temperature changes are also signs and symptoms of circulation problems. A sign of a medical condition is what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled or measured not only by the patient, but also by other people. Symptoms, on the other hand, are things that only the patient can experience in his or her body and are not seen, heard, felt, smelled or measured by others, not even healthcare providers.

Poor circulation in the feet can lead to foot discoloration, causing the skin to appear pale, reddish or bluish, and the texture of a foot could appear shiny, as though it has been polished. The skin might look abnormally thin when examined, particularly if there are venous patterns or enlargement. Peripheral vascular disease can quickly lead to dangerously poor circulation, so when the feet are examined by a medical doctor, a visual inspection of the veins is performed. Veins carry blood away from the foot back to the heart.

A number of symptoms can signal poor circulation in the feet including cold feet, numbness and changes in skin color.
A number of symptoms can signal poor circulation in the feet including cold feet, numbness and changes in skin color.

Foot sores or ulcers that do not heal properly or at all often appear, particularly when the circulation is very poor. Rashes that appear on a foot can cover just a small section or a wide area. Another interesting symptom is the onset of pain when at rest, but not when standing or walking. If this is experienced, it should be reported to the examining medical professional, who should also ask a patient about the times when any foot cramps or pain occurs.

Red light therapy may help with poor circulation.
Red light therapy may help with poor circulation.

A decrease in temperature that leads to cold feet is one of the earliest signs of poor circulation in feet. There are a couple of things, however, one must keep in mind when considering temperature changes. Sometimes, there is a difference in temperature between the two feet, which almost always serves as a sign and symptom of inadequate circulation. Weak pulses are another sure sign of poor circulation, but they are hardly ever checked by laypeople. Pulses that can be checked to verify good circulation in the feet are the posterior tibial pulse, which is palpated behind the inside ankle, and the dorsalis pedis pulse, which is lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.

Discussion Comments

SarahGen

My grandmother is experiencing a lot of circulation problems in her feet and legs. Sometimes her feet change color, sometimes they go numb and pulse is weak at times. She has suffered from foot ulcers in the past as well.

She has had diabetes for the past twenty years and apparently, diabetes affects blood circulation a lot. In fact, poor circulation and sores on the feet are one of the symptoms doctors look for while diagnosing diabetes in the elderly.

My grandmother has to keep her feet warm all the time and she wears special diabetes socks to improve circulation in her legs. She lives with us and we also check her legs regularly for sores. If the circulation to her feet were to get cut off, she would experience tissue death and the doctors would have to do amputation. So we are regularly checking her feet and legs to make sure everything is okay.

ZipLine

Can you tell me more about red light therapy for improved circulation?

How does it work? Can it be used on the feet?

candyquilt

My feet are always cold and in winter time, they turn blue.

I've been to the doctor and he checked the pulse of my feet and said that everything is fine. But I continue to have cold feet.

Is it necessary to have all of these symptoms to have poor blood circulation?

anon145317

i have sarcoidosis, the doctors said, but i haven't been given the tests some of them. I have yet to be seen by a specialist, but have most of the signs.

now i want to know what makes you be nervous, shaky, and like have acid reflux in your throat? and a high heart rate sometimes?

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    • A number of symptoms can signal poor circulation in the feet including cold feet, numbness and changes in skin color.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      A number of symptoms can signal poor circulation in the feet including cold feet, numbness and changes in skin color.
    • Red light therapy may help with poor circulation.
      Red light therapy may help with poor circulation.
    • A weak pulse is a sign of poor circulation.
      By: koszivu
      A weak pulse is a sign of poor circulation.
    • Individuals with diabetes may experience poor circulation in the feet.
      By: Mercedes Fittipaldi
      Individuals with diabetes may experience poor circulation in the feet.
    • Foot sores that do not heal properly may indicate poor circulation in the feet.
      By: Arman Zhenikeyev
      Foot sores that do not heal properly may indicate poor circulation in the feet.