Take care of your tootsies!

Winter weather can take a toll on your feet. The dry indoor environment we live in during the winter can dry out our skin, even the skin on our feet. Here's what you can do to help keep your feet looking their best so you'll be ready to show off your pedicure on the beach during spring break!

Dry skin

• Use a moisturizing lotion on your feet. Apply lotion to the top and bottom of feet, but not in between the toes.
• After a shower or foot soak, gently use a pumice stone or foot file to remove dry, flaky skin.
• Avoid picking cracked and dead skin – that may lead to open sores and infection.

Cold feet

• Avoid exposing your feet to freezing temperatures for extended periods of time. Even in warm winter boots, there's a limit to how much time your feet can stand the cold.
• Keep your feet dry. Wet feet are difficult to keep warm.
• Prevent heat loss by adding extra layers to your feet. You can even wear socks to bed.
• Avoid placing feet directly next to a heat source (e.g., radiator, fire).

Keeping feet warm is especially important if you are diabetic, because your sensation may be impaired, which can limit your ability to judge hot and cold temperatures.