You couldn’t fail to notice that we’ve been in the grip of a cold snap and, as with every year in the UK, it’s unlikely that the temperatures will rise significantly until Spring. Even though we’re wrapped up from head to toe, the harsher climate can have an effect on our skin – even down to our feet! So, if you’ve noticed that the skin on your feet is drier or flakier than normal, or your heels are cracked and sore, you’re not alone. But, what can you do about it?
Podiatrist Molly Chilvers BS.c MRCPod and brand ambassador for Footmender®All inOne says,
“So often, people only view footcare as something for the summer season i.e. when their feet are going to be on display. We need to think of footcare in terms of year-round treatment. Caring for our feet is as important as looking after and pampering any other part of our body and so we need to start investing in care for our feet. In fact, Winter is when we might have more problems with our feet and we need to support the skin to keep it hydrated, soft and heal any problems such as cracked heels, corns and calluses.”
So, what “steps” do we need to take to keep our feet in shape over Winter?
- The relative fall in humidity, both indoors and outdoors, combined with the colder, harsher weather, can strip skin of its natural moisture and exacerbate dryness. In addition, during this season, our immediate urge to hydrate is often reduced – and we can easily become dehydrated. This can have a negative impact on the tone and suppleness of the skin all over our body – including the feet! So, do your best to stay hydrated. Also, focus on maintaining good hygiene for your feet, to prevent fungus and other bacterial infections, and use a foot cream specially formulated for your feet rather than a body cream.
- Don’t overwork your feet! Some treatments like foot files, soaks and exfoliating socks can actually be quite drying for the skin on your feet – as well as taking up precious self-care time! Look for multi-purpose products like Footmender® All in One which can treat and heal four common foot problems – dry skin, calluses, corns and heal fissures – with one single product. This fast and effective treatment can be used once a day for a short period of time (this usually means one week of treatment), to repair and heal your skin and negates the need to overload your beauty product “stash”. This streamlined approach to footcare will also save you £££, as you don’t have to use multiple products! Rub in two pumps of cream for at least one minute on each foot. I recommend that you treat your entire foot even if you feel that you only have problems in specific areas e.g. cracked heels or hard skin (calluses). Often, people have several different problems simultaneously and almost always in combination with dry feet. Allow the cream to absorb first, and then, if you wish, you can put on socks after treatment (ideally chose socks made of breathable, natural fabric like bamboo or cotton).
- Be mindful of footwear. Winter generally means that we wear heavier, sturdier footwear to keep feet warm and dry – a sensible approach, but one which can lead to problems like chaffing and rubbing, build-up of hard skin, cracked heels etc. If the skin on the feet is dry and therefore less elastic, slight cracks can occur as the skin cannot stretch to allow the heel to expand slightly when it is subjected to pressure and stress. As we walk and pressure is applied to the foot, the dryness causes cracks which can be superficial or develop into deeper “fissures”. If you’re a keen hiker or runner, make sure that your footwear is suitable for the terrain (with good traction and grip to keep you balanced), has adequate ankle support and is the right fit! (check customer reviews and retailer size guides, as the advice is often to “size up” in trainers). Many shoes and boots now come in half sizes and wide-fit to ensure that there’s a good fit around the ball, instep and heel of the foot, but you can move or “wiggle” your toes comfortably.
- Put a sock in it! It can be tempting to wear big, fluffy socks in winter, but if they are too thick it can actually make your feet sweat too much. Overtime, this can lead to problems such as fungal, bacterial and viral skin infections. You need to choose socks that keep your feet warm and dry, made from moisture-wicking material such as merino wool or cotton. Wear a fresh pair every day, and always change if you’ve been sweating, like after the gym or if your feet are damp or wet following a winter walk.
- If you’ve been out in ice, snow or rain, make sure you let your shoes dry out properly before wearing them again. Place them on the floor close to a radiator but not directly on top, as it can break down glues and seams in the shoes!
One product with Eight Different Modes of Action, Footmender® All-In-One works by;
- Antimicrobial effect that prevents the regrowth of microorganisms for at least 12 hours
- Exfoliating action. Footmender has the ability to remove dead skin cells.
- Footmender binds and retains moisture in the skin
- Softens the skin
- Reduces skin sensitivity and slows the release of water
- Stabilises skin cell renewal
- Stimulates the healing of cracked skin
- Strengthens the skin’s barrier effect
New season, new look, same great product! Footmender All in One 100ml RRP £28.99. Available from Boots (in store and online), amazon.co.uk, Well Pharmacy and Pharmacy2u. *www.footmender.co.uk @footmeder_all_in-one
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