5 ways to tackle winter feet

Take a look at 5 ways to tackle winter feet.

Winter may be a beautiful time of year, but the cold weather can cause mayhem for your feet. Cracked skin, blisters and chilblains are all conditions that you should definitely learn how to avoid in order to keep your feet happy and healthy. Find out how you can keep your toes in tip-top condition this winter.

The problem: cracked feet

The skin on your feet is naturally dry, so it doesn’t help when the cold weather dries up your skin even more than usual during winter. Cracked feet can be caused by having hot showers too often and for too long, a very common occurrence at this time of year.

The solution: Applying moisturiser to your feet on a daily basis can make a huge difference. Another way to add moisture to your skin is to keep yourself hydrated, as your intake of fluids will help to nourish your skin. Avoid having showers that are too hot and too long.

The problem: athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is an itchy fungal infection that you can catch if your foot comes into contact with an object that has been touched by the fungus. Fungal infections flourish in dark, damp places, which is why athlete’s foot is particularly common in winter when we wear warm socks and shoes.

The solution: Don’t share socks or footwear with anyone else, as this can speed up the spread of athlete’s foot. Make sure you don’t go barefoot in public places, especially in changing rooms or at swimming pools where the ground could be slightly wet. Change your socks regularly if you tend to sweat a lot.

The problem: blisters

Blisters are caused by repeated rubbing in the same area, often occurring when you’re breaking in a new pair of shoes. This can happen in winter when you buy a new pair of trainers with better grip to deal with cold weather conditions. However, if your shoes are well-fitted, they shouldn’t be painful at all.

The solution: Go and have your shoes fitted by a professional. There’s nothing worse than determinedly wearing a new pair of shoes and gritting your teeth through the pain. It’s not worth the aggravation! If you have a blister, try inserting some extra padding between your skin and the blister and DON’T pop it!

The problem: chilblains

Chilblains are painful, red swellings that occur when your skin reacts to the cold in an abnormal way. They can typically be found on your toes, fingers, nose and earlobes. If you have poor circulation, you’re more likely to develop chilblains.

The solution: If you’re susceptible to developing chilblains during winter, make sure your keep your hands and feet warm with gloves and socks. When you’ve come indoors from the cold, don’t rush to heat your skin up too quickly. Warm your body up at a gradual pace so that your skin can adapt easily to the change in temperature.

The problem: skier’s toe

You may have guessed from the name, but skier’s toe is a common skiing injury. It can happen from dropping something on your toe or from wearing ski or winter boots that are too tight for your feet. When you bleed under your toenail, your nail will turn black and you may experience some pain.

The solution: In order to prevent experiencing the discomfort of skier’s toe, ensure that your ski or winter boots are comfortable and well-fitted. However, if you need to treat skier’s toe, head to a clinic as soon as possible so that a doctor can consult you and provide you with the treatment you need.