Winter feet care

Winter brings with it notable changes to our skin conditions, it begins drying becomes, rough and dehydrated. Its natural oil depleted making it dull and tedious. Among many skin related problems during winter, most painful is rough cracked and blemished heels. Hard, cracked and dry skin on feet especially around the rim of heels is unattractive and destroys image and personality.
In winter, the dry skin on heels and feet often become deep, painful, and difficult to treat, so it is better to start feet care before it turns to be a source of anxiety.
It is a famous saying that you can know a person's personal hygiene habits from his/her feet. No doubt, we all like to have beautiful, shiny and smooth facial skin. Many of us spend hours for facial and hair care. However, when it comes to the beauty of our feet, it is a general observation that many women ignore this important part of our body. Do you want smooth, blemish free and un-cracked feet during winter then you should give at least 30 minutes to your feet. There are three main steps of feet care ie cleaning, scrubbing and moisturising the skin of feet and heels.
Get rid of dead skin of feet: The first step of feet care starts with the removal of dead skin on heels. Take slightly hot water in a bowl, add few drops of shampoo 1/4 fresh lemon juice and two tablespoons of olive oil, in it, and soak your feet in the bowel for ten minutes. This will make softer the filth and the dead skin, which will allow you to remove it easily. Remove the thick, dead skin that accumulates on heels by using a natural pumice stone (easily available in stores or from clay pot makers), which cleanses, exfoliates, and reduces the appearance of dry, cracked heels.
You can simply add one lemon juice in a bowel and dilute it with a glass of water. Now wet a towel into the mixture and apply on to your feet. This will soften, smooth and remove odors from your feet.
Drying and massaging: After bathing feet dry gently with towel and trim nails of your toes by cutting straight across the tip. Now massage your feet with skin cream or petroleum jelly. Foot massage helps improve blood circulation and relaxes the muscles in the legs. Experts recommend to cup your hands on either side of your foot and with your thumbs firmly press the upper part of your foot while pushing your thumbs outwards. Remove the extra cream from your nails and cover your feet with socks.
Massaging with glycerin and rosewater is another useful method for healing cracked heels during winter or you can apply mixture of almond oil and olive oil on your feet before going to bed and put on socks. This mixture contains many vitamins and nutrients, which nourishes and at the same time softens the skin of the feet.
Another simple way is to add a little vinegar into the yogurt and mix them up. Rub this mixture on the feet, ankles, heels and soles of the feet, especially between the toes. For about 10 minutes then wash off with warm water. This will help revitalise the skin on the feet, removing dead cells and stimulating blood circulation.
A beauty expert suggest to Take some bearable hot water, add salt and Vaseline in this water and dip your feet in the mixture for half an hour and clean your heels with some rough stuffed cloth or a heel brush. Apply on heels Vaseline before going to sleep and leave the applied cream for whole night. You will feel better after some days. Best feet lotion for use in winter is those that contain glycerin and petroleum jelly. Use a thick layer of petroleum jelly on the soles of your feet every night. Petroleum jelly can fill in those cracks and sooth inflamed skin. It is particularly effective for treating very thick skin.
Dry skin causes heels to become dry and cracked. Remove dead and dry skin with regular exfoliation. An expert suggests applying of baking soda as a defoliant as it is natural and economical and also draw impurities from your skin. Pour about two tablespoons of baking soda into your hand and add enough warm water to form a paste. Massage onto your feet in circular motions, a couple of minutes for each foot, and then rinse in cool water. Make sure to apply a deep-moisturising oil or cream following exfoliation.
Feet exercise: Just as regular exercise keeps your body healthy and smart, feet exercises tone muscles and prevent foot pain and cramping. Curl your toes as you try to pick something with your toes instead of your hand. This way you should do 10 minutes a day to help relief foot pain.
An expert recommends placing marbles in the water-filled bowel and rolling your feet on them for nerve stimulation. Pick the marbles with your toes, flex and contract your feet and then let go of the marbles. This will allow the arches and muscles of the feet to stretch.
For diabetic patients: Winter is trouble-shooter for diabetic patients. They need to give special care to their feet to avoid feet injuries. Diabetics are at risk for having reduced blood flow to the lower extremities. Minor injury, like a blister, can go up into a serious wound. Wintertime can be especially hazardous, according to Las Vegas podiatrist, Jodi Politz. Change your socks daily and wear fresh socks daily. It helps you avoid fungal (skin) infections. Wearing thicker and loose socks can avoid sweat and dampness in your feet. Wash and dry your feet regularly and thoroughly to avoid fungal infections. In case of any cut or injury to your feet, take immediate medication to avoid further infections
Diabetic patients should not soak in hot water. They should not expose to open flame such as fireplace. Soak feet in warm water and make sure that the water is not so hot. Have a healthy and hearty winter.