Cold weather is bad news for feet (Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
As the UK continues to see chilly weather, with the mercury seldom rising beyond single digits, fashionistas looking to don their spring attire must bide their time – it’s still the season for snug coats and sturdy boots. But while you’re bundling up against the cold, consider the plight of your feet, encased in tight, stifling, shoes that typically fall short on support or ventilation, paving the way for a plethora of foot afflictions.
A staggering number of Brits wrestle with common foot problems such as corns, calluses, and verrucas. that a whopping 48% of adults are plagued by corns alone.
David Barton, a podiatrist and co-founder of , said: “In the colder months, we get wrapped up to protect ourselves against the elements and this includes our choice of footwear. But this also means our feet spend hours each day tucked away in tight, enclosed footwear, which often lack support or breathability and could lead to an array of uncomfortable foot lesions.
“Big thick winter boots keep your feet warm and toasty, but they can be tight, placing extra pressure on feet, especially if you spend much of your day standing up or walking around. Trainers, although made to be comfortable and supportive, might not be too breathable and feet may swell, potentially leading to extra pressure on feet. The support in trainers can also wear out in time, leaving you prone to soreness and, again, excess pressure.
“And if your shoes don’t fit properly, they can create a lot of pressure and friction on certain areas of your foot, particularly on the toes. This can cause the skin to thicken, which can lead to corns and other foot lesions. These lesions can be painful and make general movement uncomfortable. And anything that gets in the way of moving comfortably needs to be sorted.”
Feet need as much care as your hands (Image: Pexels)
Looking after your feet in cold weather
David offers his advice on looking after your feet during winter months.
Change your footwear regularly: It’s easy to wear the same shoes all day but when you can, switch things up as your feet will be subjected to rubbing and excess friction, without you even realising, as they sit in your tight winter shoes. Give them a break, and when you can, slip off your shoes and let your feet breathe.
Cold weather can be hard on feet (Image: Pexels)
Wear your shoes inside first: Bagged yourself a fresh pair of kicks? To dodge blisters and discomfort, break them in at home before venturing outdoors. Spend a couple of days padding around your house in your new footwear to stretch them out and avoid pain. Trudging around town in stiff shoes could cause a world of grief for your feet.
Relieve pressure with a customisable insole: Expert David advises: “Try ZeroSole Reliever, which can help ease pain caused by pressure on corns, calluses and other foot lesions, allowing you to move without pain. Its patented, unique hexagon ‘cell’ technology offloads the pressure on the plantar, the sole of the foot, helping to not only prevent some foot lesions but also help lesions to heal. It’s the removal of ZeroSole’s individual hexagon ‘cells’ that makes it unique, as it creates a cavity at the point of the lesion, therefore reducing the pressure placed on them.”
Five minutes for your feet: You might regularly devote time to caring for your hands, but your feet? They may have taken a back seat this winter as they’re hidden away in your shoes. Stretch feet regularly, put them up to rest and/or let them relax in warm water before exfoliating off any dead skin with a pumice stone and then hydrating them with a thick moisturiser.