8 Tips to Keep Your Feet Warm on a Cold Weather Walk

8 Tips to Keep Your Feet Warm on a Cold Weather Walk

Posted on by Blue Orchid

Let’s face it, there’s more to the winter walking experience than just getting on the treadmill. While your feet can get quite cold, you don’t have to let it keep you indoors this winter. Protect your feet in cold weather with these tips from Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists.

  1. Wear shoes that are less-breathable. Make the switch to trail shoes or boots without mesh uppers. You still want shoes that are flexible enough for walking, rather than stiff boots, so you don’t find yourself with foot pain or shin splints.
  2. Double up your socks. The traditional combo for hiking is a moisture-reducing, polypropylene thinner sock with a thicker outer woolen sock. This combination is great for keeping your toes warmer during winter walking.
  3. Use paper to insulate. Tour de France cyclists use paper to make an effective insulator that is disposable. On colder days, fold a paper towel or napkin over the top of your foot, and over and under your toes before putting on your shoe.
  4. Try toe warmers. Toe warmers are single-use and deliver gentle heat for up to six hours. Simply insert them in your shoe above or below your toes. The heat is activated when you open the packet.
  1. Keep your feet dry with sweat-absorbing socks. During cold weather, wet feet equal cold feet. Your feet can sweat even though it’s cold outside, so wear socks that will wick the sweat away from the skin. Avoid cotton socks as they will soak up the sweat.
  2. Repel the rain and snow. Invest in a pair of waterproof shoes. This typically adds $20 or more to the price of the shoe, but it is well worth it.
  3. Plastic wrap keeps cold air out. Tuck a sandwich bag or plastic wrap between the top of your shoe and upper foot to prevent cold air from affecting your toes. It’s thin enough to fit in your shoe without having to change the type of socks you wear.
  4. Pick up the pace. Always start at an easy pace and then pick it up with some intervals of faster walking. Try to choose a route that includes hills or stairs when you start out to get your blood moving.

The colder weather doesn’t have to keep you indoors. Follow these tips from Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists and enjoy the outdoors this winter. If you are experiencing any issues with your feet or ankles – don’t hesitate – call our office today at (425) 455-0936 or click here to schedule a consultation online.

 

Wondering Why Your Heel Hurts?

Wondering Why Your Heel Hurts?

Posted on by Dr. Hubert Lee

Unfortunately, heel pain is quite common, but many people make the mistake of thinking that it’s a normal condition. In reality, heel pain is an indication of a problem that should not be neglected. The key to relieving heel pain is pinpointing the problem so it can be dealt with properly. Dr. Hubert Lee with CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is here to help.

When dealing with heel pain, the underlying issue could be any of the following:

  • Plantar fasciitis: If your heel pain is sharp and intense following extended periods of rest, especially first thing in the morning, you probably have a case of plantar fasciitis. This condition is the most common cause of heel pain in adults.
  • Achilles tendinitis: If the pain is felt in the upper back part of the heel and is caused by an overworked Achilles tendon that has become inflamed, you are probably suffering from Achilles tendinitis. This is another very common cause of heel pain.
  • Sever’s disease: When children – especially adolescents – complain of heel pain, Sever’s is often the problem. This is a condition caused by differences in growth rates of the heel bone and Achilles tendon.
  • Haglund’s deformity: Footwear that is too tight can lead to an array of problems, including Haglund’s deformity. In this case, a visible bump will appear on the back of the heel, and pain is felt where the Achilles joins the heel bone.
  • Heel spur: Calcium deposits can build up and turn into a bone spur. When this occurs on the bottom of the foot, it is called a heel spur and it sometimes accompanies plantar fasciitis.
  • There are several small, fluid-filled sacs known as bursae used for cushioning in our body. When one of these sacs is in the heel and it becomes inflamed, it is known as bursitis.

Don’t make the mistake of neglecting the pain in your heel, thinking it will just go away. It could be the symptom of something much more serious. Trust the expert, Dr. Hubert Lee with CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA to determine what is causing your heel pain and provide a solution.  Contact us today for an appointment.

 

 

Protect Your Feet if You Have Diabetes

Protect Your Feet if You Have Diabetes

Posted on by Dr. Hubert Lee

If you’re living with diabetes, you may face problems with your feet, which is a common symptom of the disease.  Diabetes sufferers are at an elevated risk for a number of foot problems such as corns, calluses, bunions, and blisters. And high blood sugar can turn these minor issues into incapacitating infections.

There are, however, several tips to help keep your feet in healthy condition; Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is sharing six of them today.

Tips to Keeping Your Diabetic Feet Healthy

  • Examine your feet daily. Nerve loss or damage can make it difficult to identify any irritations that may be affecting your feet. Be on the lookout for changes in color, lesions, or dry, cracked feet.
  • Wear diabetes-friendly footwear. When shopping for shoes, look for styles that have more depth in the toe area, provide proper coverage of both the top and bottom and have no seams inside the shoe that can irritate your feet.
  • Keep your feet dry. Make drying your feet a part of your daily hygiene routine, particularly in the space between your toes. This area tends to get moist and can lead to infection.
  • Visit a podiatrist regularly. Small issues can become large problems if they are ignored. Schedule a visit to a podiatrist instead of looking for an over-the-counter product at the pharmacy.
  • Treat your feet with low-impact exercises. Be aware that many fitness classes and aerobic exercises may not be good for your feet, especially if you suffer from neuropathy. Research other options that don’t put a lot of pressure on your feet. And always be sure to wear proper footwear.
  • Keep your blood sugar under control. When your blood sugar is out-of-control, it can lead to neuropathy, so the better you are at regulating your blood sugar, the healthier your feet will be.

Sufferers of diabetes have enough to worry about without having to worry about the health of their feet. Hopefully, these simple tips will help alleviate some of your concerns.  Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is an expert at providing comprehensive diabetic foot care.  Call our Bellevue, WA office today to schedule a consultation, or email us here.