How to Protect Your Feet From Cold Weather Injuries: Beware of Frost Nip and Frost Bite

Tips for protecting your feet from cold weather injuries:

Having healthy feet is important for your mobility, so proper foot care is always indicated particularly when the weather turns cold. Probably the most important tip to remember is always wear dry, warm and stable, insulated, snow boots when you are outside in the cold weather, as recommended in the article entitled, “Protect feet from cold weather”.        

Frost nip versus frostbite

It is important to know the difference between frost nip and frostbite, in order to prevent cold weather injuries to your feet. “Protect your feet from cold weather” distinguishes between frost nip and frostbite, suggesting that frost nip is a mild form of frostbite, where there are patches of white or yellow skin with accompanying numbness in your toes or limbs. If you are healthy, you will experience a stinging feeling as they warm up.

Frostbite to your feet is more serious and requires immediate medical attention, as the deep flesh beneath the skin is actually frozen. There is crystal formation, blistering, a distinct change of skin color from healthy pink to black, as well as loss of feeling in the affected limbs. Note that frost nip can quickly become serious frostbite, which can result in the loss of limbs.

Maintain adequate circulation to your feet

Anyone with circulation problems like diabetes or kidney disease is particularly vulnerable when it comes to frost nip and frostbite. Thus, it is important to maintain good circulation in your limbs, regardless of where you are or what you are doing, particularly in the wintertime. Avoid sitting for long periods, as staying physically active will help to maintain and improve the circulation in your legs and feet.

Cleanliness to prevent infections

Cleanliness is vital in preventing foot infections, so regular foot care is essential during the cold months. Seek immediate medical treatment when indicated for infection or injuries. 

Choice of footwear

Your choice of proper footwear in the cold weather is crucial. Note the importance of wearing socks and insoles that take moisture away from your skin, so that your feet stay dry. Wearing cotton or wool socks will help keep your feet warm.  

General health status

While much of foot care is common sense, your general health status is important, too. Remember that avoiding nerve damage incurred by poor circulation from excessive use of alcohol or nicotine, will ensure that you have healthy limbs and feet. Adequate hydration and nutrition will improve circulation to your limbs; so will increasing your level of physical activity.   

Safety concerns

There are safety factors with respect to taking care of your feet when you are skating, skiing or walking in snow or on ice, as injuries occur quickly. Make certain that you are wearing appropriate footwear for your activity and weather conditions including large snowfalls or freezing rain. In other words, be prepared for any kind of weather and dress appropriately, so that your whole body temperature is normal, not just your feet.

Avoid going barefoot during the cold weather months, so that your feet stay warm even when you are indoors. Your physical body should be able to tolerate a reasonable amount of cold and cold weather without sustaining damage to your feet.

Wear proper safety boots with steel toes, if you are working on a construction project.

Do you plan to walk a long distance? Wear appropriate footwear for long distance walking, as cold weather injuries can occur quickly when you are not alert to that possibility.

Your ingenuity may ensure your mobility, so always make a serous effort to take good care of your feet and protect them from cold weather injuries.