Are You Guilty of These Winter Foot Care Mistakes? 5 Things to Avoid (And What to Do Instead)
Although most people think of summer when they consider caring for their feet--barefoot and sandal weather, anyone?--wintertime is just as crucial for keeping your feet looking and feeling their best. Unfortunately, there are many foot care mistakes that can be made during the winter time. The following are five common winter foot care mistakes and what you should be doing instead.
Mistake #1: Forgetting to moisturise
Most people assume that they only need to moisturise their feet when their feet are typically seen, in other words, when they’re wearing their favourite pair of summer sandals. But winter weather is often cold and dry, which can spell disaster for the skin of your feet. If you don’t moisturise, you will increase the risk of dry skin, cracking, and potentially even infections if the cracking leads to sores.
What to do instead: Regularly moisturise your feet throughout the entire winter. Choose a moisturiser designed to absorb into the skin quickly because you don’t want to create a moist environment inside your socks.
Mistake #2: Settling for boots that don't fit right
Most people think that as long as boots physically fit on your feet, that means they’re fine to wear. It’s also common for people to simply give up and choose any pair of boots that fit on their feet, because they need boots to get them through the winter weather--particularly if they live in an area with lots of snow. However, wearing boots that don’t actually fit properly can lead to all sorts of problems. These problems include ingrown toenails, infections, corns and more.
What to do instead: Consider the size of your boots as important as your shoes. Always wear boots that fit the width of your feet and the length of your feet properly; I never settle for boots that are too big or too small.
Mistake #3: Warming up your feet too quickly
The first thing many people do when they come in from a cold day outside is warm up their cold feet. Some people even warm their feet up quickly by sticking them near a heater or running hot water over them.
But warming up your feet too quickly can result in problems, including chilblains. Chilblains are swellings that can occur when your skin is exposed to cold temperatures and then too quickly exposed to warm temperatures. When skin is exposed to cold weather, the blood vessels near the surface of the skin will narrow; the heat will make them widen. When this happens too fast, it can cause swelling and even blisters.
What to do instead: Try to prevent your feet from getting too cold in the first place. Wear insulated long socks and boots; you can even place your shoes near a heater and wear them outside, but make sure that the material is warm--not hot--before you put them on. If your feet do get cold, get inside and start warming them up through massage and warm, clean socks. You can gradually speed up the process by drinking or eating something warm, which will help provide warm circulation to your feet.
Mistake #4: Wearing winter boots all-day
Winter boots are an essential winter wardrobe item. However, you must be careful not to wear winter boots all day and only wear them when you need to be outside. For example, it can be tempting to just wear your winter boots all day at work instead of changing into normal indoor shoes. But winter boots are not designed to be worn for long periods; they can cause pain, increased risk for fungal infections or ingrown toenails, and potentially even impact your back and knees over time.
What to do instead: Always bring a pair of everyday shoes to change into during the winter. It may be a hassle to carry along an extra pair of shoes, but it’s well worth the reward of keeping your feet healthier during the winter.
Mistake #5: Opting for thick socks
Most people assume that you should wear the thickest socks you can in the winter in order to keep your feet warm. But thick socks increase your chances of sweating inside them, which creates a moist environment that is a haven for all sorts of fungi and bacteria. Wearing thick socks can increase your chances of athlete’s foot, toenail infections and more.
What to do instead: Opt for socks made with thinner, insulated materials. You can also potentially layer one or two pairs of socks, but make sure the material is thin and breathable, and only wear the layers for a short period of time.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.