The feet are the foundation of your body, and when your feet feel good, it helps you feel good. The winter seasons can play havok on our feet and our skin. We are often in and out of differing shoe types, from wellington boots, work boots, back into trainers, sandles and socks at home and back to your dog walking boots, or, what ever gets you outside. For some period of time, our feet may get hot, in enclosed boots and socks, and then, we may get cold feet. Some peoples feet struggle with changes in footwear and conditions, from damp and hot, to cold, then to dry. The change in temperatures and conditions is not the problem, however, we as individuals, our body’s handle changes in shoes, temperature, conditions and environment differently.
If we are wearing hard sole shoes or doing alot of miles, some people can be prone to hard skin build up. This is quite common in trades men, dog walkers and more . We see everything from callus build up to dry cracked skin. Some people are prone to Raynauds phenomenon (There are causes, unknown and known, generally auto-immune base, however we usually just see Type 1) or chill blains. This is when their body has increased small vessal shut down as a response to the cold. You often see it as white toes or pink/red tips of toes and the digits are usually cold. Chillblains (inflammatory Raynauds) is when the blood flows back into the digits and it hurts and causes some local inflammation. In senior persons we may see some callus build up on the end of the digits, especially if they are not wearing cushioned footwear, and this can be painful and in some cases put the digits at risk.
In clinic, if you are presenting with dry cracked heels, callus build up, dry skin or more, then perhaps its a good time to have a review with your podiatrist, who can advise you on footwear, socks and thermals, and even foot creams. What’s more, if you opt for an in-clinic treatment, having the hard skin paired down and smoothed with a skin buffer, some nail care and application and massage of Podiatry recommended emolients (creams) can really help your feet feel revitalised, smooth and fresh. Clients usually say words to the effect that they feel like they are floating on air after a treatment session. Although we will not recommend one brand over another our clients often enjoy the feeling of the Swedish brand CCS foot creams, Gehwol scented range and more. We can order a range of Podiatry recommended creams, anti-fungal creams and nail laquers should you be presenting with a fungal infection, athletes foot or dry skin. All the creams and emolients we would use are suitable for diabetics. Of course if you have any adverse reactions to creams and moisturisers or concerns, then of course, discuss this with your practitioner for options.
For more information or to book your consulation feel free to call us at Coastal Podiatry at the Sandbanks Clinic in Poole.
Mobile, out of hours enquiries and home visits 07748 – 142169 (Wednesday is usually our home visit day although we can arrange other day options)
Clinic 01202 748 899
References and further reading
Raynaud’s Phenomenon Symptoms, Types, & Risk Factors | NIAMS