Winter Foot Care Though many of us don’t want to think about winter coming, it is good to be prepared with good footwear and foot care habits to keep our feet healthy through the winter. The stores are now full of winter gear, so it’s a good time to shop for the best selection. In particular, kids boots tend to sell out quickly, so now is the time to ensure you find well-fitting, warm boots for your children. Here are some other foot health tips for the winter season:  Winter is skating, skiing and snowboarding season, activities enjoyed by many Canadians. Never ski or snowboard in footwear other than ski boots specifically designed for that purpose. Make sure your boots fit properly; you should be able to wiggle your toes, but the boots should immobilize (grip snugly) the heel, instep, and ball of your foot. You can use orthotics (support devices that go inside shoes) to help control the foot's movement inside ski boots or ice skates. Supportive insoles are particularly helpful for novice skaters who tend to roll in at the ankle. Your foot specialist can advise you of the best insole or orthotic for you.  Committed runners don't need to let the cold stop them. A variety of warm, light-weight, moisture-wicking active wear is available at most running or sporting goods stores helps ensure runners stay warm and dry in bitter temperatures. However, some runners may compensate for icy conditions by altering how their foot strikes the ground, which can lead to injury. Instead of changing your foot-strike pattern, shorten your stride to help maintain stability. And remember, it's more important than ever to warm up and stretch before you begin your run. Cold weather can make you less flexible in winter than you are in summer, so it's important to warm muscles up before running.  Boots are must-have footwear in winter climates, especially when dealing with winter precipitation. Between the waterproof material of the boots themselves and the warm socks you wear to keep toes toasty, you may find your feet sweat a lot if you are active out-doors. Damp, sweaty feet can chill more easily and are more prone to bacterial infections, chillblaines and frost bite. If your feet do tend to sweat inside boots, try to keep feet clean and dry, change socks daily and consider using moisture wicking socks next to the skin and an outer insulating sock. If you sweat excessively your foot specialist can give you some tips and suggest a medication to use on a daily or weekly basis.  Be size smart. It may be tempting to buy pricey specialty footwear (like winter boots or ski boots) for kids in a slightly larger size, thinking they'll be able to get two seasons of wear out of them. But unlike coats that kids can grow into, footwear needs to fit properly right away. Properly fitted skates and boots can help prevent blisters, chafing, and ankle or foot injuries. Likewise, if socks are too small, they can force toes to bunch together, and that friction can cause painful blisters or corns.  Be careful about choosing footwear with good grip on the sole. A slippery sole or high heel can cause a disastrous fall on ice or new snow. Finally—and although this one seems like it should go without saying, it bears spelling out—don't try to tip-toe through winter snow, ice, and cold temperatures in summer-appropriate footwear. Exposing feet to extreme temperatures means risking frostbite and injury. Choose winter footwear that will keep your feet warm, dry, and well-supported. If you have any foot health issues, call Body and Sole for an appointment 613 258 5508. Our Foot Specialists can advise and treat all your foot care problems. We are conveniently located at 212 van Buren in Kemptville.