Winter is a season that’s filled with ice-cold days and bone-chilling nights. These frigid conditions can be extremely harmful to your feet. Unless you are heading south for a beach vacation, it’s so easy to neglect our feet in the winter since we can hide them in socks and boots. If you want to take care of your feet in the winter, be sure to make use of the tips below.
1. Protect Your Feet Outdoors
To protect your feet from the cold, you need to make sure that you have adequate outdoor footwear. Make sure that you have a pair of winter boots that are waterproof and well insulated to keep moisture out and warm air in. If you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you can purchase boots with arch support or you can purchase a pair of custom orthotics from a Toronto foot clinic that can be inserted into your boots. Orthotics reduce foot pain caused by arthritis, bursitis and plantar fasciitis (flat feet). They can also reduce back pain by improving the side-to-side movement of the foot.
2. Wear Thermal Socks
If you’ve worn a piece of thermal gear in the past, then you know that they are incomparably warm and comfortable. However, did you know that many thermal clothing companies offer a wide variety of thermal socks? Thermal socks or sweat-wicking socks trap in warm air and wick moisture away from your body. This gives them the capability to keep your feet comfortable and dry. These garments are also one of the best items you can wear to prevent frostbite on your feet.
Before purchasing a pair of thermal socks, you need to check the TOG (thermal overall grade) rating. This rating signifies the garment’s ability to insulate heat: the higher the rating, the warmer the garment.
3. Make Use of Foot Warmers
When you can’t find a pair of thermal socks that meet your needs, you can opt for some foot warmers. These useful items keep your feet warm for a long period. If you suffer from diabetes, you need to double-check the label before using foot warmers. These products are not always suitable for people with diabetes, especially if they suffer from peripheral neuropathy.
4. Apply Foot Cream
One of the easiest ways to protect your feet in the winter is to apply foot cream every day. Feet that are exposed to dry winter air tend to crack. You can opt for a foot cream with glycerin that will help keep the moisture in. You can also opt for natural foot creams that contain a base of coconut oil and shea butter, with essential oils such as tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
Taking care of your feet over the winter is worth the little investment it involves. If you follow the tips mentioned above, your feet will not only feel great but will be ready for sandal weather when the snow finally melts.
You might be interested in reading, “10 Tips to Help You Survive Even the Toughest Winter“.
