As well as the usual suspects such as things like athlete’s foot and bunions, your feet can actually be an early red flag of multiple illnesses, including heart disease and circulatory issues.
But this time, the condition we’re talking about is diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high and according to the NHS website, the symptoms include feeling thirsty all the time, peeing more than usual, feeling very tired and losing weight without trying.
Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood, but you can get it at any age and it cannot be prevented.
Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented or stopped with lifestyle changes and treatment.
Niamh McMillan, a pharmacy superintendent at Superdrug told The Express that cracked heels could actually signal undiagnosed diabetes.
She told the publication: “Your feet can reveal a lot about your overall health, and there are several symptoms that might seem minor but could indicate something more serious.
“If small cuts or sores on your feet aren’t healing within a few days, then this could be a red flag.”
This is because raised blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, can damage the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in your feet.
According to the Diabetes UK website, when the small blood vessels are damaged, this can stop essential nutrients reaching the nerves.
You can lose the feeling in your feet, which is known as peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage.
Ultimately, this means you may not feel things properly and can even damage your feet without noticing.
On top of this, damaged blood vessels also reduce the blood supply to your feet, meaning you could then have problems with cuts and sores healing in the area.
The pharmacist added that another symptom to be wary of is tingling, numbness, or a burning feeling in the feet.
McMillan warned that ‘even mild inflammation around a crack or cut can quickly become serious for people with diabetes.’
She advises that if you notice redness, warmth, or swelling around a wound on the foot, you should seek medical advice immediately.
However, it’s important not to panic as while cracked heels can be a sign of diabetes, it can also be nothing more than dry skin.
You can go get checked out by a doctor if you’re concerned – particularly if you have any of the other symptoms of the disease.
Diabetes UK outlines other symptoms of diabetes-related foot problems as tingling sensation or pins and needles like numbness, burning pain, a dull ache or loss of feeling in your feet or legs.
If your feet become swollen or don’t sweat or you have cramp in your calves when resting or walking, these could also be red flags, as well as shiny, smooth skin on your feet and hair loss on both your legs and feet.