Cold or dry feet can be a common issue during the winter months. The combination of colder temperatures and less moisture in the air can make your feet feel cold, dry, itchy and even painful. It’s easy to forget about your feet when they’re covered in socks and shoes all winter.
Although it’s quite normal for most people, and nothing to be alarmed about, you don’t have to live with uncomfortable feet all winter! There are some cold-weather precautions you can take to protect your feet from the threats of winter weather.
Keeping your Feet Warm and Comfortable
One of the most important steps you can take is wearing the right kind of footwear. The right kind of socks can insulate and protect your feet. Choose socks that are made from breathable fabrics, like cotton or wool, as they will wick away moisture and help keep your feet dry. Avoid synthetic fabrics as these don’t allow your feet to breathe properly and therefore can lead to sweating and ultimately, cold feet.
If your feet get cold easily, try wearing warm slippers or insulated boots indoors. If you’re wearing shoes outdoors, make sure they have enough insulation to keep your feet protected from the cold and wet. If you wear shoes that are not waterproof, it is also important to make sure your socks are not too thick, as this can lead to sweaty feet.
If your shoes do get wet outside, be sure to remove them as quickly as possible as dampness can lead to bacterial and fungal infections, not to mention an offensive odour.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to cold or dry feet in the winter months, investing in quality boots and shoes is highly recommended. Insulated boots with waterproofing will keep your feet warm and dry even in the chilliest of temperatures. With the right footwear, you can enjoy cold-weather activities without the worry of uncomfortable and cold feet!
Our favourite way to keep our feet toasty is with a foot soak in warm water. Not only will this help to keep your feet warm, but can also help improve circulation throughout the body. Reduced circulation in your feet can make them cold, or even numb. We love this Natural Epsom Foot Soak which can help reduce inflammation, increase circulation and ease muscle cramps while also reducing odour and softening the skin.
A heating pad or hot water bottle can also be placed on your feet just before going to bed. As an added bonus, this can also help relieve muscle soreness.
Keeping your Feet Moisturised
Stay hydrated! It’s important to keep your feet moisturised during the winter months, as dry skin can lead to itchy and cracked feet. Use a heavy-duty foot lotion or cream, and apply it generously before bed each night. We love the Walker’s range of creams and lotions, which are formulated with nourishing and healing ingredients, such as urea, to hydrate your feet back to health!
You can also make a simple scrub at home by adding sugar or sea salt to a small amount of olive oil. Gently rub this mixture onto your feet and rinse off with warm water.
Exercises You Can Do at Home
Poor circulation can be a common cause of cold feet in winter. As the temperature drops, our bodies work to keep the core warm. Hence, the blood vessels constrict to limit circulation to the core part of your body, and the feet can become cold. To improve circulation in your feet and keep them warm, there are some simple exercises you can do at home. Try walking on your toes for a few minutes every day to get the blood flowing through your feet. Also, try massaging each foot for a few minutes each day to help increase circulation.
The perfect device for this is The Foot Gym, an all-in-one device that allows you to massage your feet, stretch them, give them a workout and strengthen your foot muscles all in one place. The Foot Gym has been reviewed by orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists and physiotherapists, and is proven to strengthen muscles, increase stability, improve balance and provide pain relief.
Nutritional Tips to Help Manage Cold or Dry Feet
There are also some dietary changes you can make to help keep your feet warm and comfortable. Eating foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as salmon and flaxseed oil, can help combat dryness and improve circulation. Additionally, taking a daily multivitamin will help provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy during the colder months.
By following these tips, you can help protect your feet from becoming cold or dry in the winter months. Wearing the right socks, moisturising regularly, and wearing warm slippers or socks, along with some light foot exercises and small dietary changes, are all important steps that will keep your feet toasty and comfortable all season long!
Cold feet is not a condition to be overly concerned about, but if your feet are persistently cold, it could indicate more serious health conditions so be sure to visit your podiatrist. If you are based on the Gold Coast, we highly recommend our friends at ProMed Podiatry for their holistic approach to foot health.
