With temperatures dropping, nights drawing in, and Christmas decorations already popping up in the shops, it’s time to think about keeping your feet comfortable and healthy during the winter. With feet tucked away in socks, slippers, boots, and wellies, it’s easy to overlook their care. But just because your feet aren’t on show doesn’t mean they don’t need attention.
Here are our seven top tips for keeping feet healthy through winter.
1. Choose Natural-Fibre Socks
During the colder months, your feet will likely spend most of their time snug in socks. Opt for socks made from natural fibres, like wool or cotton, which allow your feet to “breathe” and stay less sweaty. This helps to prevent the buildup of moisture, reducing the risk of fungal infections. When it’s warm enough indoors, go barefoot from time to time to give your feet a natural airing.
2. Keep Feet Dry
After showering, make sure to thoroughly dry your feet, especially between the toes, before putting on socks and shoes. This minimises the chance for bacteria or fungi to settle in these moisture-prone areas. Given the unpredictable winter weather, you may find yourself caught in a downpour. If your feet do get wet, dry them as soon as possible, and place your shoes in a warm spot to air out.
3. Ensure Proper Shoe Fit
Winter is the season for sturdy footwear, but poorly fitting shoes can be painful and lead to foot issues. The NHS lists tight-fitting shoes as a main cause of ingrown toenails, which can make even standing uncomfortable. which can make walking uncomfortable. When trying on new winter shoes, wear thick socks to ensure there’s enough room for your toes to move freely. Look for shoes with non-slip soles for safety on potentially icy or wet surfaces.
4. Support Foot Health with Vitamins
Vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and nails. Vitamins C and D support skin repair and nail strength, while Vitamin E helps protect skin from infection. During winter, consider boosting your vitamin intake with fresh fruits and vegetables or supplements. This can be particularly helpful when sunlight, a natural source of Vitamin D, is limited.
5. Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to forget about hydration in winter, but dry indoor air and cold weather can lead to dry skin on your feet, which may result in cracked heels. Staying hydrated helps keep your skin supple and prevents dryness. For extra moisture, apply an alcohol-free moisturizer to your feet at night and wear cotton socks to lock in hydration while you sleep.
6. Care for Your Toenails
Just because your toenails aren’t visible in winter doesn’t mean they don’t need care. Keep them trimmed straight across to prevent ingrown toenails and carefully clean them daily to avoid fungal infections. Proper nail care can make winter footwear more comfortable and help prevent issues when it’s time to wear open shoes again.
7. Keep Feet Warm
Your feet play a key role in regulating body temperature, so it’s important to keep them warm during winter. Cold feet can lead to chilblains – small, itchy, painful lumps caused by poor circulation. Thermal socks are a great choice for keeping feet toasty, or try a warming footbath to improve circulation and warm up chilly toes.
Get Winter-Ready with Professional Foot Care
Winter can be tough on feet, especially if you’re dealing with existing conditions like athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, or dry, cracked heels. Now is the ideal time to get any foot issues under control to ensure comfort throughout the season. Our London chiropody services offer expert foot care to keep your feet in top shape for winter.
If your feet could use a little extra attention, contact Feet By Pody to book an appointment. Our professional podiatry team is ready to help you step into winter with healthy, happy feet.
For professional help to prepare your feet for winter, call Feet By Pody on 0207 099 6657 or book your appointment online.