I returned from Detroit this week and it was damn cold there! The temperature never went above 25 degrees. I was all bundled up with a hat, gloves, long johns and a winter down jacket. I thought that would keep me warm, but I forgot my feet. I only had thin socks and my Nikes. When your feet are cold – you are COLD.
Super cold air, wind, and freezing water can make you sick. It’s called cold stress. It can affect you in different ways depending on climate and the conditions you are exposed to: how you’re dressed, your medical condition, and the length of time you are exposed to the cold or the wind.
When you’re in the cold for any length of time, the small blood vessels in your skin get inflamed. These clusters of small blood vessels get red and itchy, or they swell. Patches will sometimes appear on your toes. Those popsicle toes can catch you off guard, because it doesn’t have to be freezing outside for you to get in trouble.
They can show up if your skin is exposed to cold over time to temperatures as high as 60 degrees. Many people notice that when their feet get cold, it’s their body’s first sign that they’re getting sick. I recommend that as soon as you get cold feet, you take a foot bath. Put your feet in water as hot as you can stand – with a cup of Epson salt in it.
You can also try ginger water. It will reduce the Inflammation and help get rid of muscle pain while fighting infection. A 20-minute soak in hot ginger water or Epson salt will warm up your feet and knock the coldness out.
When it’s windy, I always keep my neck covered with a scarf and get a homeopathic cold and flu injection that I offer at my office. Don’t let the cold weather kick your butt. Stay on top of things and you will stay healthy all winter.
I wish you the best in your health, wealth and happiness.
