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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - According to the Farmers Almanac, it’s going to be an unusually cold and snowy winter in most parts of the country this year. While that means that most of us will be heading into hibernation, your feet should not.
Wintertime takes a particular toll on the feet. And while you might think that covering them up protects them from the elements of snow, sleet and rain, in fact, the damp weather, combined with cold temperatures and dry indoor heat, all add up to a potentially hazardous combination for feet. Too often, the sins of foot care neglect in the colder months come home to roost in the form of corns, calluses and dry and cracked heels in the spring -- unsightly foot problems that women will pay pedicurists dearly to address come sandal season.
Consider:
* Feet need more care in winter, not less, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.
* Dry, cold conditions dry out feet, leading to cracking especially on the heels. Indoor heating exacerbates this problem. Dry, cracked heels provide an opening for fungus to enter, in addition to their unsightly appearance. To make matters worse, the skin on the soles of the feet contain no oil glands to lubricate and soften, so moisturizing is critical.
* Poor fitting boots can make such cracking worse, and also lead to friction on the foot, which causes corns and calluses.
* It’s also hard to keep feet dry when outside during the winter -- from sweating in heavy socks to walking in snow or rain -- creating a breeding ground for odor and bacteria.
The reality is people, and women in general, don’t provide much thought to preventative foot wellness -- only to taking care of unsightly foot problems after they develop. But, this winter, with just a little bit of care, you can keep your feet in tip top shape and get a great jump start on their “unveiling” once the warmer weather rolls around again. Here are some tips on how to help you feet survive this winter:
Give your feet a therapeutic soaking at least once a week to exfoliate and remove hard dead skin and smooth away rough surfaces. Luke-warm water (hot water dries out your skin) and a few drops of skin-softening oil is recommended. Exfoliating your feet is a great preventative measure for corns and calluses. After you thoroughly dry your feet, treat them to a massage from heel to toe using a cream specially formulated for feet, such as the Heel Rescue Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream, made by ProFoot Footcare Products. This foot cream is a non-greasy moisturizer that contains CoQ10, a powerful coenzyme that boosts the skin’s natural ability to renew itself and Imidazolidinyl urea, a powerful softening agent used in many high-end exfoliating formulas. Your feet will be much happier now when you put on your shoes.
Corns and calluses are caused by added friction in a shoe or boot. Combine this friction with damp socks from the bad weather, sliding around in an improperly fitting boot and the chances of your feet looking and feeling less-than desirable are increased. To keep your foot firmly placed in your shoe or boot use an insole, such as “the 2 ounce Miracle.” This light-weight insole is made with advanced memory foam that properly positions the foot in a boot to prevent friction and the development of corns and calluses. This insole is so light that it goes unnoticed in your shoe, and gives you the comfort you need to keep your feet feeling great through the winter months.
For more information on foot care products, visit www.profootcare.com. ProFoot Foot Care products are available at food, drug and mass outlet stores nationwide.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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