Use the following tips to keep your feet healthy all winter.

Keep Your Feet Dry

Winter weather has a way of keeping feet wet. Walking through snow and slush can allow moisture to seep through your shoes. Staying in wet shoes can lead to blisters and irritation due to friction. It can also lead to bacteria or fungal growth, such as athlete’s foot. If you stay in wet socks and shoes for long periods of time, it can even cause skin damage and nerve conditions.

It's important to wear proper footwear that don’t allow moisture to seep through. Waterproof rain or snow boots will keep your feet dry during periods of winter precipitation and help maintain healthy foot conditions.

Keep Your Feet Warm

Keeping your feet warm keeps the blood vessels open and helps your blood to circulate throughout the body. This is critically important to maintaining good foot health, especially if you are living with diabetes. People with diabetes are more susceptible to suffering from neuropathy, which is a nerve damage condition. Cold feet can cause nerve pain to be worse. Additionally, if your nerve damage is severe, you may not even feel if your feet are cold, which could lead to frostbite.

The extremities, especially the feet and toes, are some of the hardest parts of the body to keep warm. They have less muscle mass and blood flow than the rest of the body, which makes them more susceptible to cold. Wearing socks throughout the winter, even when not wearing shoes, will keep your feet from getting too cold. Moisture-wicking socks, like SmartKnit Seamless Socks, will also help to keep your feet dry and protected.

Wear Appropriate Shoes

Winter weather can cause dangerous and slippery conditions. It’s important to wear appropriate footwear in order to prevent falls and injuries. Make sure your shoes or boots have non-slip tread. Don’t wear anything with a heel or that may cause balance issues.

Following these tips will help keep your feet healthy throughout the winter.