4 Winter Foot Worries If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, caring for your feet is always important. In the winter, that means taking some extra steps. Here are four areas worth your attention.
Foot & Ankle Health Tips for the Holiday Season
Holiday Season Foot & Ankle Health Tips
Give yourself the ultimate gift this festive season by improving the health of your feet and ankles over the holidays and long into the New Year. With our four helpful tips, you’ll know how to take better care of your feet and ankles and avoid common injuries during the holiday season!
Watch What You Eat
Did you know that your diet can have a massive impact on the health of your feet?
The calcium in dairy products and Vitamin D in fatty fish can lower the risk of fractures; reducing sodium and trans and saturated fat intake can decrease the risk of developing peripheral artery disease; and a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and lean protein can control blood sugar levels.
It’s important to be careful what you eat during the holiday season, when there’s an abundance of food available that’s not very healthy for your feet and ankles. The sugar and trans fat found in many festive treats and too much omega-6 fat from consuming certain oils can increase the risk of inflammation, which is a major cause of foot pain!
Wear Suitable Shoes
There’s no bad time to invest in comfortable, supportive footwear, but it’s especially important to be careful with your shoe choices during the holiday season. If you’re planning on partaking in any festive activities where you’re likely to be on your feet a lot, such as shopping or attending holiday parties, then you need suitable shoes!
High heels and dress shoes can increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries and irritation, like swelling and blisters, so they should be reserved for special occasions. If your shoes don’t fit properly or aren’t supportive then it’s better to treat yourself to a new pair to avoid rubbing and other painful injuries.
For extra support, shoe orthotics or inserts are great investments. Inserts provide cushioning and support for your whole foot, while custom orthotics can increase comfort, reduce pressure and even correct foot problems.
Be Cautious of the Winter Weather
Winter weather can be extremely hazardous to your health, and especially your feet and ankles! Stress fractures in particular are a real concern in winter, when slippery surfaces increase the risk of falling. As well as slips, winter sports and even standing on hard surfaces can result in stress fractures and other foot pain.
During the holiday season, it’s important to be careful and take extra steps to avoid winter-related foot & ankle injuries. If you notice unusual pain, redness or bruising on your feet/ankles, you should get professional help quickly. A fast diagnosis can prevent more serious injuries and greatly reduce recovery time, so an injury doesn’t leave you on the sidelines, missing out on your favorite festive activities.
Take Care of Your Feet
If you’re going to spend more time on your feet than normal over the holidays, it’s crucial that you follow a good foot care routine! This includes things like:
- Washing your feet every day
- Drying your feet thoroughly
- Removing the hard skin on your feet
- Changing your socks every day
- Regularly trimming your toenails
- Moisturizing your feet
To avoid serious foot and ankle problems during the holidays, make sure you’re proactive about getting help for any problems with your feet and ankles. If you injure your ankles or you experience chronic foot pain, then you should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you would like more advice about how to keep your feet and ankles healthy during the holidays and all year round, then please get in touch with Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southwest Chicago. Our podiatrists in Homer Glen & New Lenox are on hand to help you enjoy the holiday season to its fullest with advice on proper foot and ankle care!
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