Winterize Your Feet: Cold Weather Tips For Your Feet

Footworks February 2010
Dr Alexandra Buk

Dry Skin and Winter Itch

Colder temperatures each winter bring many Americans one big problem: dry, cracked skin. Those itchy, dry patches are nature’s way of letting us know that the outer layer of our skin, made up of dead skin cells, natural oils and lipids (fats), needs help.

Cold weather and lower humidity as a result of indoor heating can strip away the skin’s natural protective layer and wreak havoc with our skin’s ability to stay moisturized. In extreme cases, if not treated, some of these dry areas can deteriorate into painful cracked and bleeding skin, particularly around the feet. A quick trip to your local drug store will show, however, that there is no limit to the number of products designed to alleviate dry skin.

If your skin is excessively dry and certainly if you have any cracking on your feet or heels, you should visit your podiatrist for treatment. Very often debridement of the fissures is necessary. A scraping of the skin may be obtained to rule out a fungus infection. Creams containing urea or lactic/glycolic acids may be dispensed or prescribed.

Sock It To Me

White cotton socks were good enough for your parents, but new technology has made fabrics healthier, more comfortable and better looking than ever. Using fabrics like synthetics and polyester blends and getting away from cotton can help keep feet dry, leaving them comfortable, warmer and blister-free.

Here are some tips to choose socks that are right for you and the occasion:

A sock with a poly/cotton blend, incorporating cotton and synthetics, is an excellent combination for everyday wear. Opting for either thick or thin socks will not affect the health of your feet.
Socks should fit like a glove. There should be no loose fabric around toes or heels. Socks that bunch up can cause friction and lead to blisters.
If you have diabetes or decreased circulation, seamless socks are now available to prevent friction that might result in irritation.
Athletes should look for socks that advertise “wicking action” to draw moisture away from the skin.
All socks should be tried with the appropriate shoes. Don’t try your running sock with your dress shoes-that’s a recipe for buying the wrong socks.

Frostbite

The most effective way of dealing with frostbite is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. If you know you will be exposed to cold weather, following these tips can realy save your toes:

Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and dress appropriately.
If you begin to feel pain, numbness, or tingling in your feet, get out of the cold as soon as possible

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lead to severe injury if proper treatment is not provided in a timely manner. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include:

Pain or prickling progressing to numbness

Pale, hard, and cold skin with a waxy appearance

Flushing doe to blood rushing to area after it’s re-warmed

Burning sensation and swelling from collected fluid that may last for weeks

Blisters

Black, scab-like crust, which may develop several weeks later

Mild frostbite is treated by re-warming the affected area, washing it with an antiseptic, and applying a sterile dressing. Never use hot water, fire, a heating pad or other forms of dry heat because these methods may burn the skin.

More serious injury is a medical emergency and requires hospitalization for proper care.