Don't neglect your feet during winter

Cold weather can take a toll on your feet, so the California Podiatric Medical Association suggests making your feet the center of attention this winter.

Most people are guilty of neglecting their feet. We're especially prone to letting our foot care routine lapse during the cold winter months, when we just want to bundle them up in fluffy socks and snuggly boots.

Daniel Altchuler, a boardcertified podiatrist, said, "The big thing about winter is that people go from a summer sandal to a more enclosed shoe, and the biggest problem people face is that their shoes don't always fit properly."

Altchuler, who's been in practice for more than 30 years, recommends that you not wear the same pair of shoes every day. "It is a good idea to vary shoes daily and have your feet measured properly at least once a year. Feet change, and it is amazing how many people are wearing the wrong-sized shoes."

Altchuler finds the most common foot problems in winter are dry and cracked skin and chilblains- small itchy red swellings on the skin, which can become increasingly painful, can swell and then dry out, leaving cracks in the skin which expose the foot to the risk of infection. The answer, says Altchuler, is to moisturize at least once a day using a good quality cream. He recommends keeping a tube by the bed and making it a part of your bedtime routine.

"Some people put on socks afterward so the cream doesn't go on the bed and because it makes it easier for the cream to be absorbed," he said. "There is nothing wrong with wearing socks at night for whatever reason, as long as they are clean ones."

The most important thing to remember in foot care is to maintain a steady temperature and not expose your feet to extreme heat or cold. This is particularly critical for diabetics, who frequently develop neuropathy- the loss of sensation- in their feet and are unable to feel pain.

"If you're going outside in the winter, even if it's just to bring in the paper or put the garbage out, make sure you have shoes and socks on," Altchuler said.

"Wearing only dry footwear is also important," he said. "If you've been out in the rain or snow and your socks or shoes get wet, make sure they have thoroughly dried before you wear them again."

Altchuler gives the following tips to help keep your feet healthy during the winter:

•Practice good hygiene and wash feet with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.

•Change shoes, sock and hosiery daily.

•When possible, wear shoes in public showers.

•Use a quality foot powder. Talcum, not starch, will help deter infection.

•Avoid wearing tight hosiery, which promotes moisture.

•Wear socks made of synthetic fibers that tend to wick away moisture faster.

He also recommends adding a podiatric physician to your healthcare provider contacts. "In that many health problems first manifest themselves in the foot, proper foot care is important to overall health and is critical for diabetics," Altchuler said. He advises visiting a podiatric physician at least once a year.

This story provided by the California Podiatric Medical Association.