Why do soles of feet turn red

Chilblains develop shortly after exposure to the cold, and they often become more visible if a person warms the skin quickly, for example, in front of a fire or heater. The exact cause is unknown, but they may occur when small blood vessels are warmed faster than the larger vessels can handle.

This can cause blood to leak into the soft tissues. They look like red or purple blotches and tend to appear on the toes, fingers, nose, cheeks, or ears.

Chilblains can turn into blisters or ulcers over time, and these can be very painful. Chilblains are more common in children and young and middle-aged women. When someone with this condition is cold or stressed, their blood vessels can narrow. This keeps blood from reaching the surface of the skin in some areas of the body, and these areas may turn white or blue. The skin tends to turn red and tingle as the blood returns.

It is more common in women and people over the age of In severe cases, the loss of blood flow can lead to sores or death of the affected tissue, requiring amputation. A bunion is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and cushions the joint of the big toe. It develops when the bone that connects the toe to the foot turns outward. This pushes the big toe inward, toward the other toes, and makes the joint jut out.

Most shoes put pressure on bunions. Over time, the joint can swell and become red, stiff, and painful. Bunions tend to run in families because foot shape is hereditary. People with low arches, flat feet , or loose joints are more likely to develop them.

For those at risk, wearing narrow or high-heeled shoes can prompt the development of bunions or make them worse. They are more common in females and more symptomatic in people who spend a lot of time on their feet.

If a person has diabetes , they are at risk of their blood vessels becoming damaged. This may happen if they experience high blood glucose levels for extended periods of time. If a person with diabetes does not receive any treatment, they could develop reduced circulation in the feet, as well as foot ulcers that do not heal. Managing diabetes effectively can help prevent foot problems. People with diabetes should receive an annual foot examination to make sure that they have not developed poor circulation, ulcers, or neuropathy.

This occurs when the arteries harden, and blood cannot travel through them easily. Some people who have arteriosclerosis do not exhibit any symptoms, while others may develop some. The symptoms vary depending on which arteries the condition has affected, and they may include:. If left untreated, arteriosclerosis can turn into peripheral artery disease PAD. PAD occurs when plaque builds up in arteries. This can reduce or even stop blood flow, resulting in tissue death and potentially amputation.

Prescription medication can improve symptoms in people with reduced circulation. In more severe cases, a person may require surgery. It raises the risk of arteriosclerosis and PAD. Caffeine , alcohol , and stress can also constrict blood vessels, causing or worsening circulation problems. Certain sitting positions may also reduce blood flow, according to a study. A doctor can diagnose circulation problems and any underlying issues that may be causing them.

They can diagnose diabetes using a blood sugar or urine test. Peripheral vascular disease is caused by decreased blood flow to your legs and feet due to clogged arteries atherosclerosis.

There are multiple explanations for a toe being red. Some are simple and easy to treat and some more severe. If you have a minor injury such as a stubbed — but not broken — toe, you should be able to treat it at home.

Notice skin peeling between your toes? It could be an underlying condition, such as psoriasis or eczema. If you have toe numbness, you may experience the absence of feeling, a tingling, or even a burning sensation in your toes.

This can make walking…. Looking for flip-flops on a budget, for arch support, or bunions? What causes foot pain at night? Most surgical options involve using a catheter to allow the vascular surgeon to operate in a minimally invasive way to:. One treatment goal is to allow you to walk without pain. Your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes stop smoking, lose weight , and supervised exercise sessions. Exercise helps bodies function more efficiently and improves circulation. PAD makes walking painful, but perseverance with your prescribed exercises will extend the amount of walking you can do without pain.

Most people with PAD either remain stable or improve with appropriate treatment. Severe PAD occurs with other problems like heart disease, and the complications and risks associated with heart attacks and stroke are much higher. Untreated peripheral arterial disease and neglecting management of other medical conditions like diabetes can result in gangrene, ulceration, and potential amputations.

Following and during treatment for PAD, you improve your recovery and future health by minimizing the risk factors and making lifestyle changes:. Going forwards, you work closely with your doctor to monitor your medication and lifestyle improvements to reduce pain and regain freedom of movement. At the Center for Vascular Medicine, our mission is to help patients with their vascular diseases in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of venous and arterial diseases in the legs, feet, and pelvis.

Our world-class providers are the most experienced in the specialty and work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is custom-tailored to their unique situation. Typically, this process involves an initial consultation and ultrasound scan at one of our accredited facilities. After reviewing the results of your scan and obtaining a thorough medical history, our providers will discuss the results with you and help you decide on the next steps.

Our health care providers use several diagnostic tests to help determine what vascular diseases may be causing your symptoms.

Our initial evaluations utilize ultrasound because this non-invasive imaging modality helps us verify our suspicions on whether your symptoms are caused by underlying vascular disease.

Vascular diseases of the feet. Vascular diseases of the legs. Let's talk about your vascular health. Call us: Feet Discoloration Treatment and Causes. Cause of foot swelling A foot can appear discolored because of poor blood circulation, bruising, or disease.