Your Cold Feet Might Be More Than an Inconvenience

Although winters in Maryland are usually pretty mild, patients often come to Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. complaining of cold feet. Many of those men and women don’t need much more than a change in socks or shoes; others find themselves dealing with a more serious issue.

If your feet are uncomfortably chilled, start by making sure that you’re doing all you can to take care of the issue from a wardrobe standpoint.

• Don’t go barefoot, even inside. Invest in a pair of warm slippers.

• Wear wool socks. They will do a better job than cotton keeping feet warm and dry. If socks are damp from snow or sweat, change them right away. Not only will damp socks make feet feel cold, but they also create a hospitable environment for germs and fungus such as the one that causes athlete’s foot.

• Make sure your winter boots are waterproof and insulated. For additional protection against foot and ankle injuries, choose a pair with thick lug soles that will provide additional stability on snow and ice.

But what if those steps don’t do the trick and feet continue to feel cold? What might be going on? Here are some possibilities:

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or another circulatory ailment might be diminishing blood flow to your extremities, leaving them feeling cold.

• Anemia or an iron deficiency can be inhibiting circulation.

• It’s common for diabetes to create circulation issues. If you’ve been diagnosed with this whole-body illness, your foot health is at risk.

With years of specialized training and experience, a board-certified podiatrist like James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS is the best-qualified medical professional to diagnose the cause of your cold feet and then work with you to create an individualized and effective plan for treatment and ongoing care. Schedule an appointment in the modern, comfortable Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. office. Call our friendly staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to get started today.