MD Podiatrist Discusses Early Signs of PAD

Dan Michaels, DPM, said he is often the first doctor to see patients experiencing early signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a circulatory problem where narrowed arteries limit blood flow to the legs. Beyond hair loss, people with PAD tend to have pale, thin, dry or discolored skin on the feet and chilly toes, he said, and they may experience leg cramps or pain. Dr. Michaels usually refers these patients to a vascular surgeon who can perform testing to get a sense of the potential blockage and determine a treatment plan. 

It’s easy to rack up blisters and cuts on your feet from a day spent running errands or walking in heels. But if one lingers for more than a week, it could point to a vascular issue such as PAD, Dr. Michaels said, especially if nearby skin darkens (which indicates dead tissue). That’s because PAD restricts the blood flow necessary for wound healing.