It’s the first day of winter and its officially time to put the thongs away! This cooler weather can have a big impact on our circulation and as a result we can be left with icicles for toes. Chilblains, Raynaud’s and Arthritis are all conditions greatly affected by the cold and they present unique challenges for the feet. But, by keeping your feet nice and toasty you’ll feel more comfortable and it’ll ensure they’re in great condition come spring.
Here is how you can keep your feet healthy this winter;Allow some downtime for your nails They’ve had polish on them all summer so now its time for a break. As your nails are mainly in shoes and socks it is the perfect time to restore them back to good health. Keeping your nails covered with polish too long increases your risk of fungal infections– not good! Apply coconut oil over winter to strengthen and repair any damage that may be there. Tea tree oil is a great natural anti-fungal especially if you notice any strange discoloration after removing polish.
Buy quality socks Put away the thin cotton socks and pull out the slightly thicker wool socks. Synthetic fibres such as polyester provide no insulation and leave your feet feeling cold and bare. We recommend buying socks with a high percentage of wool, more specifically merino to aid in heat retention.
Wear appropriate warm shoes you’ve got the warm socks, now to the shoes. Boots made from leather are preferable as they don’t allow the cold air flow and being above the ankle means your socks can come higher. Bared footwear have some great options for winter, your feet will thank you! Make sure at home you’ve got some good slippers such as UGGs and avoid going barefoot around home. If your wanting to increase the warmth even further consider putting sheepskin liners in. These can be purchased from most large pharmacies.
See a Podiatrist if you are suffering from the cold weather, consider seeing one of our friendly podiatrists. Non- invasive vascular assessments can be conducted to monitor and determine the severity of the condition. A simple doppler assessment is the best way to check the strength of the arteries and your overall circulation. The best treatment is always prevention however, there may be further options such as orthotic therapy, shockwave and footwear modifications.