Valentine’s Day is around the corner and you’ve probably already started thinking about how you are going to treat your sweetie. Maybe you will take your hot date to a classy establishment like Grasso’s. Or perhaps ballroom dancing will help set that romantic mood. Of course, it’s always possible that you opt for a quiet night of watching the Islanders host the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Hey, who says romance is dead?) Whatever you choose, you will probably get that warm feeling inside by spending time with the one you love. When we talk frostbite prevention, that warm feeling inside becomes a bit more literal.

Frostbite prevention is a big deal. It takes mere minutes of exposed skin to suffer frostbite when the temperature dips below 20° F and the winds kick up to 20 mph or more. You know that we see these conditions every winter!

Here at Foot Specialists of Long Island, we care about all of you. If we can help you prevent an injury or condition from happening, we will. So, with this in mind, here are some tips to help you prevent frostbite from striking:

  • Dress for the elements. Make sure you have several layers of clothing when you are going to be outside for extended periods of time. It is best to have your inner layer be made of material that wicks moisture away from your skin.
  • Keep moving. Staying physically active will help keep your body warm. When your toes or fingers start to feel numb, wiggle them to promote warm blood flow.
  • Don’t smoke. This is essential advice in general, but smoking constricts vessels and makes it harder for your blood to flow throughout your body.
  • Choose mittens. Mittens actually provide better frostbite prevention than gloves.
  • Layer up your socks. Wear two pairs of socks, including those made of materials to wick moisture and keep your skin dry.
  • Skip the booze. There’s usually nothing wrong with having a drink (in moderation), but consuming alcohol before spending time outside will prevent you from realizing that you are actually quite cold.

When you have any foot or ankle problems, including frostbitten toes, Foot Specialists of Long Island is always here for you with expert diagnoses and effective treatment. If you need the best that New York has to offer in podiatric care, call our Massapequa office at (516) 804-9038 or schedule an appointment online.

Photo Credit: Suat Eman via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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