Winter isn’t coming; it’s here! In Central New York, that means temperatures plummet and snow follows. Syracuse Podiatry encourages all patients, kids included, to get outside for some brisk exercise. Why park yourself in front of the iPad when there’s a winter wonderland just waiting to be explored?

That said, certain podiatric complications become more prevalent in the cold weather months, and for kids who want to play outside, proper foot care and preventative medicine aren’t exactly high on the list of priorities.

Fortunately, we’ve got your back (and your feet!) Take a gander at a few of the most prevalent winter weather woes below, and when your child scampers inside, you’ll know what to watch for.

Frostbite

• Freezing of the skin and tissue beneath it defines this condition, which ranges from mild to severe depending on exposure.
• Your child’s toes are the most likely part of their feet to be afflicted.
• Mild cases don’t cause permanent harm, but severe ones can damage muscle, tissue, or bone.
• Chilled skin, prickling, numbness, stiffness, and changes in color can indicate a case of frostbite.
• If your kid’s got snow in their boots or damp socks, frostbite is more likely.

Corns, Calluses, and Cracked Heels

• Winter weather means that your child’s skin is more likely to dry out.
• Dehydrated skin leads to painful and uncomfortable calluses and corns.
• Dried-out heels make footwear uncomfortable and cause infections.
• Keep kids moisturized yet dry and warm, and help them practice proper foot hygiene.

Ankle Sprains

• Children sprinting around in the snow might struggle to find traction and suffer sprains.
• Severe twisting of the ankle might tear ligaments and cause lasting harm.
• Check for pain, swelling, and bruising after kids exercise outdoors.
• Make sure kids are comfortable reporting injury and watch for telltale signs: favoring one foot over the other, limping, or other gait irregularities can serve as early warnings.

We hope you enjoy a happy, active winter with your kids! If you need podiatric care or further information, don’t hesitate to contact us and make an appointment today.  Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, Dr. Anne-Louise Smith, Dr. Justin Muser, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin look forward to assisting you.