Now that winter is finally arriving people are spending more time indoors, however, don’t let this be an excuse to ignore your feet. The truth is cold temperatures mean you need to pay extra attention to your feet to avoid problems that come along with chilly conditions.

Let’s look at some simple winter foot care tips:

Wear the Right Socks

Before putting on your winter boots, make sure you have the right kind of socks. Thick, warm socks can help prevent your feet from getting too cold and can keep them dry on snowy and icy days. Wool socks are especially good as they can help wick away excessive moisture which can become a problem in extremely low temperatures. You certainly don’t want to get frostbite or fungal infection!

Moisturize Regularly

Skin tends to get very dry during the harsh winter months. This is because the winter air itself is very dry and will absorb moisture from your body. Heat also can cause skin dryness. This can easily lead to your skin cracking and even getting an infection. To prevent this, use a lotion or foot cream on clean, dry feet daily.

Wear the Right Shoes

Shoes that are well insulated and fit properly are ideal. They ought to have ample cushion but not so much that it cuts off circulation. You may wish to avoid boots or shoes manufactured out of synthetic material, as natural materials allow a shoe to breathe more. Also, make sure your footwear has thick rubber soles that can grip the ice to avoid slips and possible foot trauma.

If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort it’s vital you contact a podiatrist right away.

You can count on the Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC foot doctors to provide care for your feet using a full range of both conservative and surgical therapies. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele, serve patients of all ages with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies including onsite digital x-ray, ultrasound, diabetic shoes, and digital scanning for custom orthotics.

For any questions or to make an appointment, please contact us at one of our Southeast Michigan facilities in Monroe (734-241-0200) and Lambertville (734-856-8900) in Bedford and Monroe counties).