5 Tips for Healthy Feet in Winter

Many of us take care of our feet in summer; the sandals and flip-flops we wear do not hide telltale signs of any foot ailment. However, when winter comes, your feet stay hidden under socks and boots. The cold, snow and ice of the season may trigger several foot problems, and you may not even notice them. You just cannot ignore proper foot care during winter. Given below for your benefit are 5 tips for sound foot health during this season.

Select the right shoes and socks for winter

If you plan to stay outdoors for long, invest in waterproof shoes. The shoes you choose should have adequate grip to prevent slips and falls on snow-covered slippery surfaces. Since wearing woolen or thermal socks will help keep your feet warm, make sure your winter shoes have some extra room to accommodate thicker socks.

Keep your feet moisturized and clean

Keeping your feet clean is as essential in winter as it’s in summer. You may either use a little soap and water to wash your feet or soak them in a tub of lukewarm water; add a little baking soda to the tub of water to make your feet feel refreshed. Make sure to apply some moisturizer on your clean feet as winter makes the skin dry and flaky.

Walk carefully

Don’t run or make any sudden movements on pavements and roads covered with snow, or you may end up hurting yourself. Even when you wear shoes with a good grip, it pays to walk carefully. Ligament tears and ankle sprains are very common in winter and it would be good to be a little careful rather than feel bad later.

Combat foot odor

You feet can’t breathe in winter when they are covered in woolen or thermal socks all day long and kept confined in boots or covered shoes made of rubber, vinyl and other synthetic materials. No wonder you have to battle unpleasant foot odor.

You should wash your feet with an antiseptic soap every time you return from outdoor work; it is the simplest way to get rid of this problem. In case you are on travel, check for some vodka in the hotel room mini-bar; you can dab a little on your feet and the alcohol will kill the odor-causing bacteria.

Stay protected against chilblains

Chilblains occur due to abnormal response to cold. These tiny, itchy lumps on the skin can be very painful, although they usually go away in one or two weeks. In case you tend to develop chilblains, you should avoid excessive exposure to the cold and try to stay warm. If you have already developed chilblains, you need to consult your podiatrist for medications to get speedy relief.

Dry and itchy skin as well as cracked heels are other winter problems. Apart from keeping your feet clean, dabbing some foot cream lotions or applying honey can help combat cracked heels. Those using the gym may tend to develop foot fungus in winter. Wearing shower shoes in the locker room and keeping your feet dry can help you stay away from it.

Although winter brings its fair share of foot problems, you can keep your feet healthy with these simple tips. In case of complications causing concern, you would do well to consult a reputed podiatrist with experience and expertise. So, put your best foot forward this winter.

Tips to keep your feet in perfectly healthy shape during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a blissful experience. The would-be mom often remains so completely engrossed with the sheer thought of cradling her precious bundle of joy within a few months, that she tends to ignore several health issues; foot condition being one of them. The fact is, pregnancy can trigger certain foot problems which ultimately result in swelling, pain at heel and arch portions along with cramping and varicose vein. The basic reason is natural weight gain whereby a woman’s centre of gravity is completely altered. Many would opine that this condition is natural, so why not bear it till childbirth! Well, the answer is that a pregnant woman needs to be conscious of her wellbeing and that includes taking care of her feet too. She should enjoy those nine months period with a smiling face rather than fretting over painfully swollen feet!

Two most common foot problems experienced by women during pregnancy are over-pronation or flat feet and edema. Due to additional body weight the arch portion flattens out thus causing feet to roll inward. Walking can be quite painful with flat feet and if not attended in time then over-pronation may lead to other serious conditions like Heel Spur, Bunions, Plantar Fasciitis, Metatarsalgia or Post-Tib Tendonitis. Another foot condition related to pregnancy, i.e., edema occurs at a later stage. It is mostly related to foot swelling which is caused due to extra blood accumulation in extreme points, as the blood pressure heightens in pelvis and leg portions. Usually the extent of swelling is similar in both feet but if you notice any asymmetry then this may indicate a vascular problem. Immediate consultation with a physician is advised in such cases.

Taking care of feet during pregnancy is not that difficult. By following a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly you can keep yourself immune from extreme foot conditions. However, avoid too rigorous an exercise regime; rather walking is a suitable option. If you need to stand for long hours at workplace then try to rest your feet whenever possible. If your work demands sitting at a stretch then elevate your foot to a comfortable position by placing a stool beneath it. These measures can prove to be quite effective for pregnant women suffering from edema. The other right thing which should be done is shift to comfortable footwear. Fancy footwear with high heels which constricts blood circulation is a strict no-no. Customized foot orthotics that provides additional support and helps in shock absorption can relieve you from pain and discomfort related to over-pronation. These products are designed specifically with proper arch support and medial rearfoot posts.

Neglecting persistent foot conditions during pregnancy might turn out to be harmful. Don’t take any preventive measures just based on assumption. Consult an expert podiatrist to assess the severity of the situation. If planning to buy tailored orthotic footwear then also the doctor’s assessment of your foot conditions can help a lot. The orthotic laboratory will manufacture the product based on the podiatrist’s analysis, thus ensuring maximum comfort for your troubled feet.