Winterizing your FEET

      Winterizing Your Feet  

   

Season Greetings from Advanced Podiatry Clinics! This season brings us cold temperatures, snow, ice, low humidity, all of which may cause or exacerbate certain lower extremity medical conditions. We frequently see patients with xerosis, dermatitis, frostbite, Raynauds disease, burns, and fractures in our clinic during this season. 

 Many people winterize their cars and homes. Dr. Dukarevich and Dr. Harb recommend the following easy tips to "winterize" your feet this season and avoid any foot problems.
 

• Examine your feet daily for any cuts, sores, cracks, calluses, swelling, redness, drainage
•  Check on the bottom and between the toes

•  If you have trouble getting to your feet, ask a friend or a relative to help

• Use special foot creams with lactic acid or urea, such as Flexitol Heel Balm, at least twice daily
• Avoid putting cream between the toes

• Avoid soaking your feet or bathing in hot water frequently or for prolonged periods of time
•   When taking a bath check the temperature of the water with your elbow before stepping in

• Do not walk barefoot around the house or in open-backed slippers
•  Use clean white cotton or wool socks
•  Change socks daily or more often depending if your feet sweat a lot

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol use

• When going outside in cold weather, wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the temperature
• Wear warm loose-fitting clothing, gloves, and socks to avoid compression of digits
•  Use well-fitting supportive shoes with good traction on outer soles
•   Try a shoe traction device if you plan to walk far in the snow or ice

• Avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperature -- be extremely careful when walking outside in icy or wet conditions 

•  If you get your socks or shoes wet outside, remove and change them as soon as possible
•  Allow wet shoes to dry thoroughly for at least 48 hrs before putting them back on
•  Do not use radiators or space heaters to warm your extremities 

• Seek medical attention if you have any questions or concerns
• If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or other systemic disease, you may benefit from routine screenings and foot care from your podiatrist
• You can contact us by phone at 708-450-0705 or through our website at  www.advpod.com

Advanced Podiatry Clinics and Staff wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season!