How To Keep Your Feet Healthy Throughout Winter

Winter is a beautiful season, although it can make some things more difficult for you, such as walking across ice and snow, exercising in cold weather, and just the general cold affecting your lower extremities. To help you keep your feet healthy, there are a number of things you can do, but if you are already experiencing a foot issue, you should seek treatment from a podiatrist. Read on for some tips you can do to prevent issues and keep your feet healthy.

Stretching

Stretching can help prevent injuries, and while injuries can occur anytime, you have more of a chance of slipping on ice than falling down on plush grass. Stretching helps loosen your ligaments and prevents muscles from getting too tight as well. Keeping it all loose can prevent injuries. Stretch your ankles and practice picking things up with your toes to help add strength to your feet and ankles.

Wearing The Right Footwear

When walking about in the snow and on ice, make sure you are wearing the right type of footwear to support your feet and ankles. Wear boots while out in the snow, not just for support and to help prevent injuries when walking, but to keep your feet warm as well. Even if you're on your way into work, don't try walking in those high heels; wear a pair of boots into work, then change when you get there. When outdoor jogging in winter, be sure you wear thicker socks to keep your feet from getting too cold.

Paying Attention To Potential Issues

If you're a diabetic, you need to be sure you are paying close attention to your feet and any potential issues that could be affecting them. Watch for any cuts or scrapes that aren't healing properly, and get to the podiatrist right away if you spot an issue. Pay attention to other issues as well, even if you aren't diabetic, such as cracked feet that aren't healing, an ingrown or infected toenail, or even numbness to your feet that isn't going away. If you spot any of these problems, get to the podiatrist.

Take care of your feet this winter and prevent issues that could prevent you from doing what you love best. If you have any pain or other issues with your feet, go to the podiatrist for a thorough exam and for any necessary treatment. Your feet are very important, so give them the care they deserve.

For more information, contact a local podiatrist today.