Just because you can hide your feet away in winter boots at this time of year doesn’t mean you can neglect them. In fact, the cold, harsh weather can cause many problems for your feet so good foot care is essential in the winter months if you want to be sandal-ready by the summer.
Here are some top winter foot care tips from our podiatrist to keep your feet in great condition:
Protect your feet
During winter it is more important than ever to ensure your footwear is appropriate for the conditions outside. Opting for soles with good grip and shoes that provide good ankle support will help prevent you from slipping in icy conditions and protect your ankles from injury if you do. Alternating the shoes you wear every day or every other day will also ensure the pressure on your feet is spread evenly to help avoid pain or injury.
Keep them warm
When the temperature drops you’ll need socks that provide your feet with adequate protection from the cold. Choosing lamb’s wool socks will give you extra protection against the cold, which is particularly important if you suffer from poor circulation. Signs that you are not keeping your feet warm enough may include chilblains – which will present as small, red and itchy lumps on the skin.
Keep your feet clean
When you keep your feet inside socks, shoes and boots for long periods of time it can encourage the growth of toenail fungus and other bacteria. To minimise the risk of any foot diseases it’s a good idea to wash your feet daily with soap and warm water, clean under your toenails to remove debris such as soap and dead skin, use a pumice stone to smooth out any rough patches of skin on the heels and keep nails trimmed to avoid ingrowing toenails.
Mind your toe nails
Whilst you might find any excuse to show off your painted toenails in summer, winter paints a rather different story. As feet are hidden away in footwear, it is easy to forget about the layers of nail varnish you have previously applied, however giving your nails a breather every now and then will help prevent them being attacked by bacteria and fungus. Make sure you regularly remove your nail polish and give your nails time to breathe before reapplying a fresh coat.
And finally, it’s a good idea to inspect your feet regularly and make a note of anything strange. If you experience pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away or you just notice something out of the ordinary, make sure you give the Riverside team a call on 0800 0154 222 and make an appointment to see our podiatrist.
