By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Winter fashion here is all about skinny jeans, leggings and boots. Especially when it comes to boots, their tight fit makes your legs look slimmer and longer.
However, these boots are as bad as killer heels when it comes to health. They can cause athletes foot and other skin troubles as well as varicose veins and inflammation in worst-case scenarios.
Here are some tips as to your choice of boots from Choi Gwang-ho a dermatologist.
Long Boots: Some women tend to wear these boots all day long. However, this results in poor air circulation in the foot area, causing irritation and athletes foot.
Once at the workplace, change into shoes that are comfortable ― for example slippers or sneakers. If you get athletes foot, try to change your socks often and wash your feet regularly.
Try not to wear boots that come above the knees. If the boots are too long they can put too much pressure on the upper part of your legs.
Tight fitting boots: Some women choose these to make their legs appear slimmer. However this can hinder blood circulation and cause varicose veins if they are worn for long periods. Also rashes can result from tight boots.
When fitting boots, try to keep a gap of about 0.5 centimeters around the legs so that even if they get swollen from walking or the heat, blood can still circulate. Also, try to choose boots made with flexible material.
High heel boots: These boots tend to be pointed at the front. Walking long stints can cause corns on an around the toes.
If you have to walk for a long time, wear lower heels ― less than 3 centimeters.
A good habit after taking your shoes off is to give yourself a little foot massage with foot cream or oil after dipping your feet in warm water. Dry your toes with a hair dryer because humidity makes athletes foot become worse. After finishing with a cream, wear socks to help your skin absorb it.