Although we tend to cover up our feet during the winter months – boot season is quickly approaching, people – that doesn’t mean we should neglect our feet. Plus, when the sun does make a comeback, you’ll want to make sure your feet are ready to be on display again.
But with our feet largely out of view and typically wrapped up in thick socks, how are we meant to “care” for our feet during the colder months? Well, COMPEED® is here to tell you everything you need to know about winter foot care.
Boots: Breaking Them In
They call it retail therapy for a reason. And what better retail therapy is there to fight the winter blues than treating yourself to a lovely pair of boots? Whether it’s a pair of Dr. Martens, Timberland boots or Hunter wellies, the majority of new boots bring pain before they bring comfort.
Before you purchase your new pair of boots, you’ll want to make sure you get a size big enough to house thick socks to keep your feet warm. The last thing you want is to notice your feet turning pale due to a lack of circulation in the cold. We recommend wearing your socks and boots together around the house to stretch the shoe and break them in before you commit to taking them to the streets. Or at the very least, try to stay local in case you need to run home and change shoes.
If you have problem areas on your feet that regularly fall victim to blisters, known as ‘hot spots’, you can always apply blister plasters as a preventative measure. Does your little toe typically rub up against the boot causing friction? No problem. COMPEED® Blister Plasters (for toes) can be wrapped around your little toe to provide instant pain relief as well as prevent blisters from forming thanks to its protective cushion.
Does the heel of your foot rub against the boot? Again, no problem. COMPEED® Blister Plasters (medium size) will provide deep cushioning and stay in place while you break in your boots.
Sometimes our socks might be shorter than the height of the boot. Try to avoid this as a rule of thumb, but if this does happen, you may feel the boot rubbing against your leg, which can leave a mighty sore friction burn. Luckily, the COMPEED® Anti Blister Stick instantly protects from rubbing to help prevent blisters and chafing.
Socks 101
Although 100% cotton may initially feel like a comfortable choice of fabric, cotton holds onto moisture and will make your feet wet inside your shoe. Opt for a wool sock instead; or even better – a merino wool sock – which is lightweight but keeps your feet warm and dry.
As we mentioned earlier, opt for socks that are longer than your boots to avoid any chafing against your bare leg.
Remove wet socks and shoes ASAP
The perfect winter sock and boot will keep your feet cosy and dry. But wet weather conditions like rain or snow, combined with the heat in your shoe, can make your feet sweaty and therefore damp. In these damp conditions, your feet can get cold more easily, as well as making them more prone to bacterial and viral infections. In extreme conditions, damp feet can also lead to frostbite.
As soon as you get home, you’ll want to remove your wet boots and socks and clean your feet in a bath and then thoroughly dry them off – and don’t forget to dry in between your toes where moisture tends to build up.
Make sure that your socks and boots are dry again before putting them back on.
Othe tips for happy feet
The cold weather can really dry out your skin, which can lead to split skin on your feet and heels that can be very painful. These fissures can also lead to infections if not kept clean. To prevent these cracks forming, it’s best to moisturise your feet daily to keep the skin smooth and hydrated.
Colder weather can also make existing foot conditions more painful, especially if the right footwear isn’t worn. If the shoe doesn’t fit – don’t risk it. Excessive friction caused by wrong fitting shoes can lead to calluses, bunions and corns (Oh My!). Especially if you suffer from bunions, you’ll want to make sure your winter boot is wide-toed so less pressure is put onto the sore area.
To help relieve the pain, COMPEED® has plasters for each of the above: corn plasters containing hydrocolloid active gel technology that relieves pain immediately and helps remove the corn; bunion plasters that are specially designed to fit around the foot; and callus plasters with wound healing technology that works from the inside out to improve moisturisation that softens the callus, helping to remove it.
If you do suffer from bunions, corns or calluses, it’s a good idea to rest your feet whenever you can: take off your boots and socks, perform some foot stretches and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
One final word...
Don’t let irritated feet ruin the closing months of the year! Just remember to keep your feet clean, dry and ensure your winter boots (and socks) fit like a glove.
