5 Tips To Keep Your Feet Healthy and Happy in Winter
Though the winter season brings with it a
festive cheer, it also has its fair share of hazardous situations. During the
colder months, we often seem to neglect proper foot care, which triggers unique
challenges. Just because your feet remain hidden in the pair of boots it does
not mean you should be ignorant about them in winter. While protecting them
from the freezing temperatures is important, adequate foot care too should not
be ignored. Here are our top five tips to maintain your foot health during the
cold season.
1. Wear waterproof shoes/boots and thick warm socks when out in the snow
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Image Courtesy : Pixabay |
1. Wear waterproof shoes/boots and thick warm socks when out in the snow
In winter, snow creates a very slippery and
wet environment that can lead to thermal and traumatic injuries. So, it is
always advisable to wear waterproof boots/shoes with thick warm socks. It is
equally important to keep an extra set of socks handy, if possible, to delay
the onset of frostbite. Though depending on wind speed and temperature,
frostbite may take its own time to appear, being affected by it would lead to
skin discoloration, pain, wounds, nerve damage etc. So, it pays to be better
equipped to avoid falling prey to falls, injuries, and frostbites.
2. Limit exposure to
below-freezing temperatures
If you are a sufferer of neuropathy or
diabetes, it is always advisable to avoid frigid temperatures. Due to the lack
of sensation triggered by neuropathy, you will not be able to properly sense
whether the skin of the feet is safe. If you have to go outside in the snow,
make sure that you are appropriately dressed with waterproof, closed-toed shoes
and warm, thick socks. And once you are back from the frigid temperature, check
your feet immediately for any changes. Contact your doctor right away if you
see any cause for concern.
3. Keep your feet adequately
moisturized
During the colder months, skin tends to
crack and get dry. Apart from being painful, skin cracks can let the cold in.
So, keeping your feet well-moisturized is particularly important to keep
yourself warmer. When moisturizing your feet, begin with the toes and move
upwards to your heel. Remember to apply a moisturizing cream or lotion on your
feet as part of your daily foot care routine if your feet tend to become dry in
winter.
4. Give your feet a massage
at the end of the day
Massage some cream into your feet to
stimulate circulation and get relief from dry skin. This will not only warm up
the feet but also have them feeling and looking nurtured during the season. Apart
from helping your feet relax, a good massage would let you have a good look at
the feet to notice any hazards (cuts and nicks, blisters, corns, scratches etc)
that might have been overlooked.
5. Learn to listen to your
feet
Your feet should not hurt all the time or
be discolored, swollen, or develop blisters or calluses regardless of what you
try. If you notice anything like these that are causing foot or ankle
discomfort, you should let your podiatrist have a look, to get the condition
diagnosed and start the right treatment without any delay.
Final
words
Take care of your feet this winter using
the tips above and it would surely lead to less work when the spring season
finally arrives. In case you experience any issues with your feet, it is best
to seek advice from your podiatrist instead of playing the doctor yourself and
popping in, out-of-the-counter medications.
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