Powered By
Continue with Facebook
Continue with your email
Could Sjögren’s disease, previously known as Sjögren’s syndrome, be contributing to your foot and ankle problems? Inflammation from Sjögren’s can affect the body from head to toe. It may be worth discussing your foot health with a specialist to see if symptoms are related.
Keep reading to learn more about how Sjögren’s disease can affect your feet and what you can do to help ease your symptoms.
An autoimmune disease is when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the body. Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition that targets the glands that provide moisture to the body. These areas often feel dry, including the eyes, mouth, nose, throat, gut, skin, and vagina. The main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sjögren’s can also cause inflammation that affects the skin, joints, blood vessels, and nerves. Related symptoms can show up throughout the body, including the feet.
Sjögren’s disease can develop on its own. Associated Sjögren’s disease can occur alongside another autoimmune condition. These conditions may also contribute to foot-related symptoms.
Sjögren’s disease can cause various symptoms affecting the feet, toes, and ankles. Watch out for some common symptoms listed below.
Joint pain is one of the more common symptoms of Sjögren’s disease. Flare-ups can cause tenderness and swelling in multiple joints, including the ankles. Pain can be mild and occur only once in a while, but some people have episodes that last longer or feel more intense.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet. It’s not uncommon in people with Sjögren’s disease.
Other people may develop small fiber neuropathy, which causes patches of stinging pain in the same areas. Occasionally, some may also experience muscle weakness due to peripheral nerve damage. Abnormal sensations and weakness caused by inflammation of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) tend to be rare in Sjögren’s.
About half of the people with Sjögren’s have dry skin due to damaged sweat and oil glands. They may notice scaling, discoloration, or painful cracking. Rashes are also common around the legs and feet, especially with sun or heat exposure.
People with Sjögren’s disease may also experience toenail problems, like flaking, cracking, and tearing. Some are at higher risk of fungal infections, which can cause more discomfort or damage to the nail. If the fungal infection spreads to the skin, it can lead to athlete’s foot, which can cause an itchy, scaly rash and further irritate dry skin.
Sjögren’s disease can affect the cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) and may cause symptoms in your legs and feet.
For example, about 38 percent of people with Sjögren’s experience Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s is a condition in which blood vessels in the hands and feet narrow when you’re suddenly exposed to cold or feeling stressed. The lack of blood flow causes fingers and toes to turn blue or white. As blood flows back, it can cause throbbing, pain, or tingling.
Some people with Sjögren’s can also develop vasculitis, which is inflammation and damage to blood vessels beneath the skin. People with vasculitis may notice purpura, purple rashes, or patches on the skin that form when blood vessels leak. The skin can become easily irritated and break down, especially around swollen ankles.
Symptoms of Sjögren’s disease or overlapping conditions can make standing and walking more difficult. Neuropathy can cause numbness and weakness, which can affect balance. Skin irritation or cracked toenails may make some footwear uncomfortable, and joint pain can make it hard to bear weight. Addressing symptoms early can help prevent falls and keep you confident on your feet.
About half of people with Sjögren’s also have another autoimmune disease, so symptoms can overlap. That can make it hard to tell what’s causing your symptoms and how to treat them. Commonly associated diseases with overlapping symptoms include:
Keep in mind that not all foot pain is part of Sjögren’s or another autoimmune issue. Communicating closely with your specialist about your symptoms helps them find the cause and develop the right treatment plan.
While there’s no cure for Sjögren’s disease, there are ways to manage it. If you notice any new or worsening foot symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider about possible treatment options. Taking care of your foot health can make everyday activities feel more comfortable and help improve your overall quality of life.
Keep a journal or tracker of your symptoms and daily activities, especially if you notice changes in your symptoms. Make sure to take it to your doctor’s appointments. Because Sjögren’s can happen along with other autoimmune diseases with similar symptoms, the pattern of your symptoms may help your doctor figure out what’s causing them and how to treat them.
Make sure to write down key points, like type of discomfort, symptom frequency or intensity, and time of day. You may also want to record medications or track potential side effects. The Sjögren’s Foundation developed a printable worksheet to help you get started.
Generally, people should wear properly fitted, slip-resistant shoes that are easy to fasten securely. A well-fitted shoe supports the foot, prevents falls, and protects the skin and nails from rubbing against the shoe.
If you have peripheral neuropathy, you may need custom insoles to better protect and support your feet. Talk to your doctor and ask whether you should see an orthopedist for custom footwear.
If your skin is dry, you may need to take extra precautions to prevent painful cracking or rashes.
If you’re experiencing pain, talk to your doctor about how to manage it. Treatment options depend on what’s causing your symptoms, how often they happen, and how severe they are.
People with mild or occasional joint-related foot pain may benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while more severe pain may need a prescription-strength pain medication or corticosteroids.
Long-term symptoms may improve with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can calm an overactive immune system and help slow the disease.
People with intense nerve pain may find relief with analgesics or anti-seizure medications to help manage symptoms.
Home remedies like cold or hot packs can help reduce pain and inflammation, but pay attention to your body. Cold can trigger Raynaud’s, and heat can spark a rash in some people with Sjögren’s. People with Raynaud’s should wear wool socks to keep their feet warm and avoid contact with cold objects. Also, those with peripheral neuropathy should avoid using temperature therapy because it’s difficult to feel when the skin is becoming irritated or injured. It’s best to ask your doctor about which nondrug treatment options are right for you.
Sjögren’s disease can affect more than just your eyes and mouth, including your feet and ankles. If you notice new or worsening symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider so you can figure out what’s going on and find the right treatment plan.
On MySjögrensTeam, people share their experiences with Sjögren’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Are you experiencing foot health issues since your Sjögren’s diagnosis? What treatment options have helped you? Let others know in the comments below.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
Continue with Facebook
Continue with your email
Become a member to get even more
Join
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.