Care for your feet this winter

The cold weather can really take its toll on your feet and hands.  Most of us tend to ignore our feet during the winter months.  When it's cold outside, we tend to cover our feet with warm comfy socks and thick winter boots.  The dry air in our homes and work places also tend to be hard on our skin as well.  This tends to make our skin dry, itchy and flaky.  Here are some tips to help keep your feet happy and healthy all winter long.

Maintain a steady temperature and don't expose your feet to any extreme heat or cold.  This is very important for people who are diabetic and frequently develop neuropathy in their feet and are unable to feel pain.  Even if you are just running outside to pick up the mail or to take the dog outside, you need to make sure you wear both socks and shoes.

It is also recommended that you only wear dry footwear.  If your socks or shoes get wet, take them off immediately.  Dry your feet completely and put clean and dry ones on.  When your shoes are wet, leave them to set out and dry for a couple of days before putting them back on.

You should also get in a good routine everyday to take care of your feet.  Look at it as a way to pamper yourself in these long winter months. 

First, you should exfoliate your feet everyday.  A good product to use for this is the Footbuffer Pro.  This double sided buffer sponge effectively exfoliates and removes dry dead skin and moisturizes the underlying normal skin.  Plus, it is available in two invigorating scents:  Lavender tea-tree or citron-eucalyptus.

Next, choose your favorite lotion.  You will want one with a kind of moisturizer in it.  Apply liberally to each foot.  Then put your socks on.  When you put socks on your feet, this helps lock the moisture from the lotion and keeps your feet smooth and silky.

Now if you have the time, you should purchase a foot soak.  Soaking your feet before you exfoliate and lotion will help keep the moisture in.

Try doing this routine every morning and night, and don't forget your hands.  If you are only doing this at night and can't sleep with socks on, do your routine an hour prior to bedtime. When you are ready for bed, you can then take the socks off. This should give plenty of time to allow the lotion to soak into the skin.

Before you know it, your feet will be soft and smooth.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your feet during the winter months, call 419-423-1888 or visit our website at http://www.vailfoot.com/ to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vail.