Take care of your soles
Temperatures drop in winter, meaning taking care of your feet and your footwear choice is important.
We have teamed up with Coatbridge Foot Clinic for some winter foot advice.
We subject our feet to frequent temperature changes, from the warmth of our houses to the icy outdoors, which can result in drying out of feet.
This has a significant impact on the elderly who have fewer natural oils in the skin.
Applying a dedicated foot cream to your feet to keep the moisture barrier intact results in supple, moisturised skin - a barrier against damage. Full coverage shoes and warm boots are the footwear of choice for this season and are great for keeping out the elements – they’re not so good at letting the skin breathe. Fungi love dark, damp conditions – such as inside a winter boot. Identifying a fungal infection professionally is recommended as this can often be mistaken for dry skin – moisturiser can make the infection worse. Treatment with anti-fungal creams is effective.
The inevitable icy conditions we experience can result in serious falls, with hip fractures increasingly common, particularly in the elderly.
Half of all elderly sustaining a fracture never fully recover and one in five after having a fall dies within three months.
Prevention of falls is of great importance but is a role we can all play a part in.
We recommend well-fitted, supportive and non-slip footwear.
Well-fitted house slippers are a must – please check on your elderly relatives’ slippers and make sure they fit…
Visit your local Podiatrist for expert, professional help.