Every winter for the past few years my feet have had a serious problem. As soon as it gets cold outside they begin to hurt and swell near the ball of the feet and around the toes. Sometimes the pain takes on an itching and burning feeling. My feet are not cold and if anything feel worse when I keep them warm/hot. I wear loose, comfortable shoes and minimize walking and they still hurt enough to be debilitating. I have had blood tests for Rheumatoid, etc. and my doctors had no useful suggestions. I am female and 29 years old.

You should have your doctor exam you for cold related conditions. One of the most common conditions associated with the colder weather other than frostbite is that of Raynaud's. This condition is more common in women and is precipitated in the colder condtion. The patient often has symptoms of the digits changing from red-white-blue. I would discuss these Raynaud's and frostbite with your doctor. Frostbite tends to reoccur each year with some pain once the initial exposure has occured.