5 Winter Foot Care Tips for Seniors
Jan 06, 2020
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The colder weather is here, and it’s time for boots and other winter footwear. But many people - especially seniors – don’t realize that the drier air and walking in the winter elements elevates the risk for foot problems.
The colder weather is here, and it’s time for boots and other winter footwear. But many people - especially seniors – don’t realize that the drier air and walking in the winter elements elevates the risk for foot problems. So today Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are sharing some important foot care tips for seniors.
Exercise Your Feet: Going out someplace to exercise can be difficult during the winter months. But you can exercise your feet using simple resistance bands to relieve symptoms of pain from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and more.
Trim Your Nails: When your feet aren’t on display, it’s simple to forget about maintaining your toenails. If you find it difficult to do this yourself, you can ask your podiatrist to do it or research to see if there are any local foot care clinics.
Keep Your Feet Moisturized: The drier winter air can draw moisture out from the top layers of your skin, resulting in painful - and even infected - sores. Daily cleaning and moisturizing are imperative. When finished, slip on snug cotton socks to help your feet absorb the cream.
Keep Your Feet Dry: Remove damp socks and shoes as soon as you get back inside and dry your feet thoroughly. This helps your feet warm up and protects against the growth of fungi and bacteria that thrive in damp environments.
Wear Footwear That Fits Properly: When your footwear is too loose or tight, it can increase your risk of falling. Choose shoes that have a deep, wide toe box and traction on the sole to help keep you from slipping.
About a quarter of seniors live with diabetes, and for them, proper foot care is crucial. If you suffer from diabetes, talk with your podiatrist about keeping your feet healthy this winter.
Follow these tips from Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello, at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC so you can enjoy the outdoors this winter. If you’re experiencing any issues with your feet, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
We serve both New Haven County and Fairfield County areas. You can schedule an appointment by calling our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724. You can also request an appointment online.