Contact the specialists at Kansas City Foot Specialists if you have questions about preparing your feet for harsh elements and dry air.
We’ve outlined the easiest ways to ensure your feet are prepared for the change in seasons:
Repair your dry, cracked feet
Cracked and dry feet can be the result of reduced moisture in the cold air of autumn months. The cracks in your feet can be unsightly. The usual signs of cracked and dry feet are red flakey skin, peeling skin, itchiness, blood, and pain.
There are a few things you can do to eliminate symptoms of dry and cracked feet:
- Scrub the dead skin cells off your feet with a pumice stone or emery board.
- Soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salts for 20 minutes each day.
- Apply foot specific moisturizer to feet on a daily basis.
Save your feet and ditch the flip-flops and open-toe shoes
Wearing flip-flops and open-toe shoes is ideal for people who want to let their feet breathe, which is often necessary during the summer months. The warm summer air can cause excessive sweating that produces a foul odor and promotes bacteria growth.
However, flip-flops provide limited arch, heel, and general foot support, so your feet are prone to damage. Open toe shoes aren’t practical in the fall because they expose your toes to the elements. These types of shoes are only recommended for short-term use in the summer due to foot health hazards, so there is no reason to have them reappear in your fall wardrobe when you’re exposed to harsher weather.
Keep your feet warm and protected
The styles of socks and shoes you wear in the fall months help to ensure good foot health. The socks you choose should be thicker than normal to provide warmth. Avoid cotton materials that soak up the water that gets in your shoes since cotton retains more moisture and takes longer to dry.
Choosing the right shoes is important. The bottom sole should consist of slip-resistant material to protect you from rainy surfaces. Close toe boots or high top shoes are ideal for keeping the fallen leaves, splashing rain, and cold air from affecting your feet.
Invest in foot inserts for your shoes
With the cooler weather approaching, it’s more manageable to take walks without sweating excessively and wanting to go back inside. Investing in foot inserts is imperative for ensuring your feet are comfortable and supported during your walks and day-to-day activities.
Many inserts provide support to your arches, heels, and the balls of your feet. The stress from increased walking paired with cold joints can cause damage to your feet and ankles.
Cushioned inserts are used to absorb the shock that your feet would usually endure. The inserts will help fill up extra space in your shoes and decrease movement. When your feet move around in your shoes, they may be awkwardly positioned when the foot makes contact with the ground, causing damage to the skin, bones, or joints.
If you are experiencing dry and irritated skin, call the professionals at Kansas City Foot Specialists at (913) 338-4440 or contact us online. We can help diagnose and treat your symptoms to ensure you’re back on your feet in no time!
