Winter is here, and with it comes snow, and the opportunity for all the fun outdoor activities. Whether it’s sleigh-riding, ice-skating, building snowmen, making igloo’s, having snowball fights, you can bet your child will be spending plenty of time on their feet. This winter, make sure everyone’s feet stay happy and healthy by following these simple tips.

Correct Footwear and Care for the Cold

1. The first thing is boots. Make sure they have ample rubber soles to grip the ice. Slips and falls account for many feet and ankle injuries during winter. Also, make sure the boots have enough room. You want some extra space for thick socks, otherwise, your child’s toes might cram together which can cause various deformities and toe problems. When toes bend unnaturally they can affect the entire posture of your child which can cause further problems. Indeed, many foot problems adults suffer from can be traced back to childhood foot issues.
2. Next, socks. Make sure they are thick enough to keep out the cold, but still leave wiggle room for your child’s toes. Avoid cotton socks as they are not very efficient at keeping out the cold. Wool socks are best. If it’s especially cold you may want to consider using two pairs. Make sure to frequently check your child’s socks. When playing outside your children’s feet tend to sweat. In the cold weather this can cause their feet to become cold, and in extreme cases, lead to frostbite. The solution is to change their socks frequently. Make sure you always have an extra dry pair handy. It’s a good idea to dry off your children’s feet with a towel as soon as they come in to prevent further problems.
3. Finally, frequently check your child’s feet for any redness, blisters, discoloration, or anything unusual. If you notice something contact an experienced 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). Don’t forget, we make house calls.