The IAA One Minute Blog

When damp and cold winter weather conditions set in, people’s feet can be at risk. What may seem like a simple cold and damp foot could turn into something potentially dangerous.

Cold Feet Conditions

Whenever temperatures drop below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can rapidly leave your body. When this happens it leaves your feet at potential risk for a variety of issues:

• Chilblains: Chilblains are caused by the repeated exposure of skin temperatures just above freezing to as high as 60°F. The cold exposure causes permanent damage to the capillary beds (groups of small blood vessels) in the skin. Symptoms include:

1. Redness
2. Itching
3. Possible blistering
4. Inflammation
5. Possible ulceration in severe cases

• Frostbite: Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. Frostbite can permanently damage body tissues and in severe cases can lead to amputation. Symptoms of frostbite include:

1. Reduced blood flow to the hands and feet (fingers and toes can freeze)
2. Numbness
3. Tingling or stinging
4. Aching
5. Bluish, pale or waxy skin

• Trench foot: Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, is an injury of the feet resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Trench foot can occur at temperatures as high as 60°F if the feet are constantly wet. Injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. Therefore, to prevent heat loss the body constricts blood vessels to shut down circulation in the feet. Skin tissue begins to die because of lack of oxygen and nutrients. Symptoms of trench foot include:

1. Reddening of the skin
2. Numbness
3. Leg cramps
4. Swelling
5. Tingling pain
6. Blisters or ulcers
7. Bleeding under the skin
8. Gangrene (the foot may turn dark purple, blue or gray)

It is important to keep your feet covered in the cold. Make sure boots are waterproof and insulated. 

When Cold Feet are not From Cold Weather

Shivering on a chilly day is often an inescapable part of winter, and usually nothing serious. There are times, however, when feeling cold cannot be cured by an extra sweater. Feeling cold can be a sign of ill health or an underlying medical condition:

• Acrocyanosis: A persistent blueness to the extremities (hands, feet or face). Acrocyanosis is typically symmetrical and is marked by mottled blue or red discoloration of the skin on the fingers and the wrists, the toes and the ankles, and the face.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can lead to feet feeling numb and tingly. It is caused by nerve damage or neuropathy. The result is you may be less able to feel cold or pain and this loss of sensation could lead to skin damage.
• Raynaud’s disease:  Raynaud’s disease is a common condition that affects blood supply to parts of the body, particularly to the fingers and toes. Raynaud’s is usually triggered by cold weather, anxiety or stress. Blood vessels go into a temporary spasm which blocks the flow of blood. Affected areas turn white, then blue and finally change to red as the blood flow returns.

Your feet may be cold from something that may be going on inside your body, not the weather outside.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants you feet to be wrapped up tight! Feet are affected by the weather so it is important to have proper winter boots. Just think of IAA as your third party shoe salesman, reminding you that your feet need protection from the winter cold.

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