Winter is not really the favorite season of our sensitive little toes. In winter, exit the sandals, flip flops and light tennis of the mild season: it’s the return of the combo of closed shoes and warm socks in which they have a hard time breathing. Not to mention the cold that dries them out and attacks them. So many good reasons to pamper and pamper our feet for three months. Advice from Jean-Loup Lafeuillade, podiatrist and president of the Union des Podologues
The main factor of aggression of our feet in winter, is their confinement in closed and too often narrow shoes, especially for women. ” When the foot is locked in and too tight all day, it is much more prone to skin pathologies – such as corns, calluses or partridge eye – and trauma to the nail explains the podiatrist. Also, when locked in, our feet breathe less well and may tend to sweat, which promotes the proliferation of fungal infections.
Second winter threat: the cold. ” The extremities of the body – hands and feet – are more prone to circulation problems, because their blood vessels are much finer which causes a decrease in blood flow and therefore a greater sensitivity to cold summarizes Jean-Loup Lafeuillade.
Finally, the third factor that plays against our foot health in winter, is the sedentary lifestyle. Between the cold, fatigue and shortened days, we tend to be less active during the cold season, and in particular to walk less. What is however essential to improve the circulation, struggling between the cold and our tight shoes.
The best way to pamper your feet at the start of winter is to entrust them to a professional. He will be able to identify small weaknesses and emerging pathologies to treat them before they settle and degenerate. ” the podiatrist will in particular eliminate dead skin, remove hyperkeratosistreat any beginnings of corns and calluses, clear the furrows of the nails to prevent them from becoming incarnate » enumerates the specialist.
This annual consultation is particularly indicated for people subject to plantar pathologies and more for diabetics particularly at risk of foot complications.
Shoes that aren’t too tight!
Taking care of your feet is above all putting them in good shoes! ” In winter, it is more important than ever to chooseshoes adapted to its size and above all not too narrow insists Jean-Loup Lafeuillade, who recalls in passing that it is not uncommon to take a size as an adult. ” I often say that the foot is the only part of the body that grows throughout life. : technically, they don’t really grow anymore, but the arch of the foot tends to sag, and the flat foot has to be finally longer explains the podiatrist.
Results : we continue to wear the same shoe size at 50 as at 20, and you end up being too cramped there. Shoes that are too tight promote chafing, calluses, circulation problems and ingrown toenails. ” We therefore do not hesitate to choose them a half size larger so that the foot is comfortable, even with large socks winter concludes Jean-Loup Lafeuillage.
Warm natural fiber socks
The cold tends to reduce blood flow to the feetwhich contributes to reducing its ability to warm up naturally. A vicious circle therefore sets in: the colder the foot, the less circulation takes place, and the more difficult it is to warm up. Results ? ” HAS u beginning of redness, then erythema with drying of the skin, and the final stage: frostbitedescribes the podiatrist.
The frostbite are caused by repeated exposure to cold and humidity: the best way to protect yourself is to put on very warm socks made of natural fibers to limit the humidity, whether related to ambient air or perspiration. ” If the damage is done and the frostbite is there, be careful not to put them under hot water to warm them up: sudden warming could make them worse insists the podiatrist.
Good hydration
Even more than the rest of the body, the feet particularly suffer from the cold in winter. The result is dry and thickened skin, with significant risks of cracks and cracks. To prevent these problems, proper hydration is essential. ” The skin of the feet being particularly thick, effective hydration must necessarily be daily insists the podiatrist, which recommends natural and organic products, based on royal jelly, olive oil or Shea Butter.
The cream can be applied in a circular massage, going from the toes to the ankles, in order to revive the venous system. In the event of very severe dryness, these daily treatments can be supplemented with a moisturizing sock mask.to leave for one hour.
Regular walking
Under the foot arch, in the fatty tissue, which lines the underside of the foot, is a venous sole made up of a fine mesh of veins. ” VS This venous insole, known as Lejars, is stimulated with each stepby the compression of this superficial venous network which quickly expels the blood towards the deep venous system like a pump explains Jean-Loup Lafeuillade. To make it short: the walking is the ultimate preventative remedy blood flow problems in the feetand more to pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
So despite the cold, the fatigue and the low level of sunshinewe take the time to cover ourselves well and wear good shoes, in order to walk at least 30 minutes a day as recommended by the World Health Organization.
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