Are You Suffering from Dry Winter Skin?
It’s that season (again). For some, winter is a time to rejoice and enjoy outdoor activities like skiing, skating, snowboarding and snowmobiling, to name but a few. For others, winter means cocooning in front of a crackling fireplace with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
Either way, the cold outdoors combined with warm indoor temperatures can cause chapped, cracked and dry skin on your heels, feet and the rest of your body! What’s a proud Canadian to do, eh?
Tips for Caring for Dry Winter Skin
- Avoid taking long, hot showers. They might feel great, but they’re drying out your skin
- Opt for hydrating cleansers rather than harsh soaps
- Apply a good moisturizer, like Amerigel®*, after bathing to seal and protect your skin
- Turn on the humidifier and moisturize the air
- Protect your skin from irritating/itchy sock fabrics that can cause rubbing, chaffing and scratching
- Be especially careful of dry and cracked skin on your feet and heels if you are living with diabetes. You need specialized footcare
- Pay attention to your winter footwear. Do your boots fit properly or do they ‘rub your feet the wrong way’? Talk to your Chiropodist about winter footwear and orthotics for sports shoes, boots and every day – for comfort and performance!
*We use natural Amerigel® advanced skin and wound care products in all of the treatment rooms in our Oakville Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Patients are welcome to purchase Amerigel® products for home use.
Dry, chapped or cracked skin could be a sign of an underlying issue, such as a fungal infection like athlete’s foot. Book your footcare appointment today and talk to your Chiropodist about your dry winter skin.
