Cold Feet
Prevention and Treatment of Cold Feet
The key to keeping your feet warm in cold weather is to keep your entire body warm.
- Dress in layers. Layers insulate your body, helping you retain your “natural” heat and they can be removed as needed if you become too warm.
- Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears, because body heat escapes through the head.
- Wear good, insulating gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
- If you get wet, your body loses heat more rapidly; stay as dry as possible.
- If you are in snow, wear an outer layer of water-resistant clothing and wear footwear with water-resistant soles and uppers.
- Choose shoes or boots that provide insulation and protection, such as those made from leather and synthetic materials.
- Wear padded socks made from insulating materials. These can be blends of wool and man-made fibers.
- Use an insert or orthotic that can provide space for the feet to expand and spread, thus promoting good blood flow to help the feet stay warm.
- To ensure your feet are optimally protected, IPFH suggests wearing properly selected and fitted, as part of an integrated approach, padded socks with shoes with non-slip outsoles and any inserts or orthotics prescribed or recommended by a doctor or foot health professional.