Dry feet in winter? Learn why we get dry feet during the cold, winter months and what we can do prevent and heal the skin. The winter months can be tough on your skin. From the cold, dry air outside to the heated indoor air, your skin can take a beating. Your feet are especially susceptible to the drying effects of winter weather. Here are some tips to help you keep your feet dry and comfortable all season long.
How to Prevent Dry Feet in the Winter
- Wear socks. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to wear socks in winter, both to protect your feet from the cold and to absorb any moisture that might otherwise make your feet wet. Make sure to choose socks made from natural fibers like wool or cotton, which will help wick away moisture. And if you're going to be wearing boots, make sure to wear socks that come up over the top of your boot so that they don't rub and irritate your skin.
- Moisturize regularly. Just like the rest of your skin, your feet need regular moisturizing during the winter months. Choose a rich cream or lotion and apply it liberally to your feet every day, paying special attention to any areas that tend to be particularly dry, like heels and ankles. If you're prone to foot Odors, look for a cream or lotion that contains an antibacterial agent like tea tree oil or lavender oil.
- Exfoliate weekly. dead skin cells can build up on your feet during the winter, causing them to become dry, cracked, and irritated. To prevent this from happening, make sure to exfoliate your feet at least once a week with a scrub or pumice stone. This will help remove any dead skin cells and leave your feet feeling soft and smooth.
- Don't neglect your nails. It's easy to forget about your nails when it's cold outside and you're all bundled up in socks and boots. But neglecting your nails can lead to problems like fungus infections and ingrown nails. Make sure to trim your nails regularly and file them down so that they don't become too long or sharp. If you notice any changes in your nails, like discoloration or raised bumps, see a doctor or podiatrist as soon as possible as these could be signs of a serious problem.
- See a podiatrist regularly. winter is a good time to establish a relationship with a podiatrist in case you do develop any problems with your feet during the season . A podiatrist can provide you with expert care for any foot problems you may have and also offer advice on how best to care for your feet during the winter months.
Why do we Get Dry Feet in the Winter?
There are a few different reasons why your feet might suffer during the winter. For one thing, the cold weather can cause your skin to become dry and cracked. This is because when the air outside is cold and dry, it sucks the moisture out of your skin. Additionally, wearing socks and shoes all day long can also contribute to dryness by preventing air from reaching your skin.
Home Remedies for Dry, Cracked Feet
- Use a homemade salve. This DIY foot salve can literally safe your poor, dry feet in the winter. Apply every night before bed and after a shower or bath for best results.
- Soak in a listerine and vinegar foot soak. It may sound strange, but it can work wonders on dry feet in the winter, especially for those hard, cracked heels.
- Use a homemade vinegar foot scrub to slough away dead skin cells. Dead skin cells can easily accumulate on the feet which can causes flaky, dry skin. By regular exfoliating the feet, you're allowing your moisturizer to penetrate deep into the skin.
- Make a DIY paraffin wax treatment. You can either do this at home or get this done at your local nail salon. It's especially great in the winter and can really heal dry, cracked feet.
- Restore dry feet with a homemade foot mask. Yes – your feet can also enjoy a mask. This mask uses bentonite clay to draw out toxins and remove dead skin cells, leaving your feet nice and soft after just one treatment.
- Apply a coconut oil treatment to clean feet every night before bed and put on a pair of socks. Wake up in the morning to uber soft feet like you've never seen before!