Winter is here, the snow is falling, and Christmas is approaching. Now that the temperature has started to fall, how do you keep your feet warm in winter? In this blog post, we explore why people suffer from cold feet and ways to prevent it. We’ve also included some tips for warming your feet up.
Why do I get cold feet?
There are many different causes of cold feet but most of them are the result of poor circulation. Poor circulation is usually more pronounced in the legs and feet because it is the furthest area away from the heart, so your legs are usually affected first.
Conditions like Diabetes and Raynaud’s cause poor circulation and so your feet are vulnerable to cold weather. Diabetes causes poor circulation by damaging the blood vessels which can lead to the formation of plaque which slows down blood flow. Raynaud’s causes poor circulation by causing spasms in the arteries which reduce blood flow.
How do I prevent cold feet?
The best way to prevent cold feet is to keep them warm. You can keep your feet warm in winter by:
- Limiting the amount of time spent outside
- When going outside it’s important to wear warm footwear and thick socks
- Avoid walking barefoot
- You can wear woolly socks which should keep your toes nice and toasty
- You can also wear socks to bed if it is a particularly cold night
You can also prevent cold feet by improving your circulation, this can be done by:
- Exercising
- Quitting smoking
- Elevating your legs
Walking in snow can cause your feet to get wet as it melts into your shoes. This can chill your feet and even cause athletes foot from prolonged exposure to moisture. Athletes foot usually looks like itchy white patches or redness on the foot the best way to treat this is using mycota cream or powder from We Fix Feet.
How to warm up your feet
You should only warm your feet slowly. Warming your feet up too quickly can cause the blood vessels in your feet to go from contracted to expanded too quickly. When this happens this causes redness and itchiness otherwise known as chilblains. To warm your feet you should put on thicker socks or cover your feet with a blanket so that they can slowly warm up.
We hope this blog will help you keep your feet warm in winter. If you develop any of the problems mentioned 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 Health Professionals.