Now that autumn is here and winter is fast approaching your feet can start to suffer. To help prevent this, here are some common problems that might affect your feet. The conditions that I will be focusing on in this blog are foot and ankle pain, ingrowing toenails, and chilblains.

What are some of the common feet problems that occur during winter?

Foot and Ankle Pain

Foot and ankle pain can be caused by many problems however the most common causes are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused when the connective tissue that connects the phalanges (toe bones) to the calcaneus (heel bone) develops small tears which cause inflammation and pain. This pain is usually felt on the bottom of the foot in front of the heel. One way to treat plantar fasciitis is by resting.

You can also help ease the inflammation by applying an ice pack or bag of frozen peas.  Are you suffering from plantar fasciitis? Check out our video on plantar fasciitis stretching exercises.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is caused by the inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf to the heel. The inflammation increases blood flow to the area causing heat and redness, swelling, and an increase in chemical releases near nerve endings causing pain. Treatment is similar to plantar fasciitis in that resting, elevating, and applying an ice pack or bag of frozen peas helps reduce pain and speeds up the recovery process.

Ingrowing Toenails

Ingrowing toenails occur when a sharp piece of toenail digs into the skin.  This can cause pain even before the nail pierces the skin. If the toenail pierces the skin the area can become infected. You can usually tell if your toe is infected if there is an excess of puss. You may need to visit your GP or our clinics for further management. One way you can treat ingrowing toenails is to soak your feet in warm saltwater. Don’t try to cut the nail as this will often result in the condition worsening. If the condition doesn’t get better, book an appointment at one of our foot care clinics. We will check them over and advise you on the best course of action.

Chilblains

Chilblains are caused when the tiny blood vessels go from contracted in the cold to dilated in the heat too quickly. This causes redness, itching, and inflammation. So, this means that you shouldn’t place your hands on a radiator or under hot water to warm them up quicker. While there is no treatment you can prevent chilblains by reducing the amount of time spent outside during cold and damp conditions. Wearing warm waterproof clothing will also help.

What if I develop any of these common feet problems?

If you develop any of these problems or any other pain or discomfort in your feet, visit our multi-award winning foot healthcare clinics in Beeston or Ilkeston. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online with one of our Foot Healthcare Experts.