While on one hand the pleasant weather of winter is considered good for health, on the other hand it can also create many serious health challenges for our feet. According to Dr. Dinesh Parmar of the District Hospital, there is a need to be extra cautious in this season, especially people suffering from diabetes, smoking or consuming tobacco. Due to low temperature in winter, the microscopic blood vessels of the feet shrink, due to which the risk of blood circulation being disrupted increases. Dr. Parmar explains that if toes start turning black, red spots appear on them or constant tingling is felt, then these should not be ignored. These symptoms are an indication that sufficient oxygen and blood is not reaching the lower parts of the legs, which can lead to a serious problem in the future.

Winter season is a time for diabetic patients to be especially careful. According to Dr. Dinesh Parmar, fat often gets accumulated in the blood arteries of diabetic patients, due to which the blood flow to the legs reduces significantly. When the veins shrink further in extreme cold, this problem becomes serious and the toes may turn black (early signs of Gangrene) due to lack of oxygen. To avoid such a situation, experts recommend that patients always keep their feet dry and clean. It is important to provide adequate warmth to the feet and inspect them regularly so that any wounds or discoloration can be detected in time.

The winter season can be extremely risky for people who smoke hookah, cigarettes or tobacco. The harmful elements present in tobacco shrink the microscopic blood vessels of the legs as soon as they come in contact with cold, due to which the blood circulation is badly affected. In the initial stages, due to this, symptoms like red spots, constant tingling or unbearable pain appear in the toes. If these signs are not taken care of in time, this problem can turn into gangrene (flesh rot) or deep wounds which become difficult to heal. In medical science, it is also linked to ‘Buerger’s Disease’, which especially affects the legs of smokers.

Winter time is very critical for patients suffering from Vasculitis, because in this disease the blood vessels get swollen, which can cause the problem of blood clotting in the veins of the legs. When the temperature drops in extreme cold, the risk of complete blockage of blood flow increases, which can cause serious damage to the tissues of the toes. In such a situation, medicines alone are not enough; Patients need to constantly keep their feet warm and take special care of them to avoid any permanent damage.

Winter season can be very painful for people suffering from Raynaud’s Disease. In this condition the blood vessels of the legs become extremely sensitive to cold temperatures. As soon as the feet are exposed to cold, blood flow temporarily stops completely. Due to this, the fingers first appear white, then blue or extremely red. If this problem occurs again and again, deep ulcers may form due to damage to the tissues. Therefore, for the management of this disease, along with regular medicines, vigilance in eating habits and constant consultation with a specialist doctor is mandatory.

It is very important to take some basic precautions to protect feet in winter. One should never walk barefoot in this season and especially avoid walking on dewy grass. To maintain warmth of feet, one should always use cotton or woolen socks. An important precaution is not to bring the heater or hot water bottle in direct contact with the feet, as there is a risk of burning the skin or reducing sensitivity. At the same time, to improve health, walking 5-6 kilometers daily in the lukewarm winter sun is very beneficial for blood circulation. Apart from this, tobacco or smoking should be completely avoided. If you feel unbearable pain in the legs or the color of the fingers starts turning black, then an experienced vascular surgeon should be immediately consulted without any delay.