How To Warm Ice Cold Feet

Having cold, icy feet during the winter is not unusual--freezing temperatures and constant cold exposure cause the extremities to lose heat fast, making them susceptible to frostnip (or its more dangerous consequence, frostbite, which requires immediate medical attention). To relieve superficial chilling, find a place indoors to warm up and heat your feet with water or warm-skin contact and then don protective clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Basin or bathtub
• Warm water
• Wool socks
• Long underwear
• Winter hat
• Mittens
• Comfortable, dry boots

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Instructions

• 1

  If parts of your feet have turned white and the skin is hard and inflexible, assume some level of frostbite and immediately go to a hospital or emergency room for help.

  If you believe that you have mild frostbite but cannot get to a hospital or emergency room right away, fill a bathtub or basin with water between 99 to 104 degrees F. Slowly slip the feet into the water, keeping frostbitten areas away from the sides or bottom of the bathtub or basin. The thawing process can take up to half an hour. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

• 2

  When the potential of frostbite is not an issue, fill a basin or bathtub with warm (not hot) water and soak your feet. Pat dry with a clean towel afterward--dry feet can prevent additional heat loss.

• 3

  If warm water is unavailable (and as a follow-up to warming with water), press warm hands (yours or someone else's) against your feet and toes. Avoid rubbing, slapping or deep massaging the skin. Palm-to-foot contact works best.

• 4

  As your feet begin to warm, put on dry, insulating socks. Choose socks made from natural wool, which traps heat and wicks away moisture. Cover the legs with long underwear, which traps additional heat.

• 5

  To prevent further heat loss through the extremities, wear protective clothing on the hands, feet and head. Winter hats, mittens and comfortable, dry boots help preserve body heat. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, which is not as effective at keeping the extremities warm.