Monthly Archives: January 2017

Keeping your feet safe for the winter

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As the weather starts to get colder, it is important to make sure you are keeping your feet warm and dry. Along with winter come winter activities such as skiing, skating, snowboarding, etc. All of these activities require the right footwear in order to keep the feet warm and prevent injury. Here are some tips for making sure you keep your feet healthy for the winter months:

  • When participating in winter activities, it is important to wear the right footwear intended for that sport. You should not wear anything other then the right boots for skiing or snowboarding. The boots should fit you properly, stabilize the heel and forefoot, and have enough room in the toe box for you to wiggle your toes.
  • You can wear custom made orthotics in your boots to ensure better stability and to offload painful areas of the feet.
  • For runners who continue to run in the winter months, make sure you wear warm clothing that helps to wick moisture away. This will help you stay warm in colder temperatures. Make sure to wear proper running shoes and run in areas that are not too icy to help prevent falls and injuries.
  • Stretching is important to keep the muscles warm. Make sure you stretch before you start your activity to warm the muscles up and increase flexibility.
  • Make sure you are wearing the right winter boots. Find boots that are water proof/resistant and that have a warm lining inside. Sometimes warm boots can cause the feet to sweat more making the feet moist. This can actually cause the feet to chill easily and make them more prone to bacterial skin infections. You can put foot powder in your socks to help absorb excess moisture.
  • When buying boots for kids, make sure you buy the right size. Buying boots that are too big can cause blistering, shearing of the skin and also cause injuries. Also make sure socks are not too small as they can cause the toes to bunch together creating extra friction.  Winter boots should fit to size every season.
  • Lastly, do not wear summer shoes in the winter. Wearing sandals or open toe shoes in the cold weather can increase your chances of getting frostbite, and other foot and ankle injuries.

For more information, or to book an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 (Milton). Or visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Hyperhidrosis

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Many people suffer from excessive sweating of the feet. This condition is known as hyperhidrosis. Usually people who suffer from excessive sweating of the feet also have excessive sweating in the palms of their hands as well. This is more common in men then in women and also more common among young adults.

There is no exact known cause of hyperhidrosis but it is said to be inherited. Individuals suffering from this condition usually have excessive sweating at all times. It does not just occur in hot or warm weather or when they are nervous etc.

The main symptom of hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the feet. It can cause the feet to have a whitish, wet appearance. It can also lead to other conditions such as athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, warts, etc. When the feet are constantly wet the skin breaks down more easily allowing for infection to set in. Sweaty feet can also lead to foot odour.

When it comes to hyperhidrosis, proper care is very essential. It is important to wash your feet regularly with anti-bacterial soap and dry them well, especially between the toes. One can apply anti-fungal powder or baby powder to the feet to help absorb some of the moisture. It is also recommended to wear socks that are made out of natural or acrylic fiber materials. These help to wick moisture away from the feet instead of absorbing them.  Bamboo socks are also good for wicking away moisture and keeping the feet dry. Cotton socks are good for absorbing moisture but it does not wick moisture away from the skin not making it an ideal choice for those with hyperhidrosis. Changing socks regularly is also important as well as wearing shoes made of breathable materials. This will help in minimizing foot infections that can be caused by excessive sweating of the feet.

Treatment options are different for every individual. There are certain over-the-counter antiperspirants that can be recommended. Botox injections and oral prescription medication can also be used.

For more information, or to book an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 (Milton). Or visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.