Don’t want the summer fun to end with a BURN?
Most people aren’t paying too much attention to their feet during the summertime, but feet are at their most vulnerable during these hot months. You can follow a few foot tips to prevent these future foot predicaments so you can get back to your fun, summer days:
- Limit walking barefoot as it exposes feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other infections and also increases possible injuries to your feet.
- Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room to limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections.
- Remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, with specific attention to the tops and fronts of ankles, and don’t forget to reapply after you’ve been in the water.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day. This will help with overall health, and will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
- When traveling long distances in a car or plan, keep the blood flowing with regular ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
- If your shoes get wet, they should be dried out completely before the next time you wear them to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing.
In case of minor foot problems, be prepared with the following on-the-go feet savers:
- Flip flops – for the pool, hotel room, and airport security check points
- Sterile bandages – for covering minor cuts and scrapes
- Antibiotic cream – to treat any skin injury
- Emollient-enriched cream – to hydrate feet
- Blister pads or moleskin – to protect against blisters
- Motrin or Advil (anti-inflammatory) – to ease tired, swollen feet
- Toenail clippers – to keep toenails trimmed
- Emery board – to smooth rough edges or broken nails
- Pumice stone – to soften callused skin
- Sunscreen – to protect against the scorching sun
- Aloe vera or Silvadene cream – to relieve sunburns
Beware of the Flip Flop!
Although the style is a favorite, this type of shoe has no arch support at all. If worn for a long period of time, they can cause severe arch pain or pain on the ball of the foot. Flip flops offer no stability which means the foot moves when walking, especially at the end of gait when coming off the toes, instead of remaining stable. As a result, blisters or pain on the ball of the foot can develop. Ballet-style flats can be just as bad because they also have inadequate foot support.
Flimsy shoe support shouldn’t be your only summer foot fear. Fungal infections and warts are more common during the summer months due to the increased heat and humidity of enclosed shoes.
Due to so many risks your feet might run into this summer, be certain you are taking the appropriate precautions to keep your feet HAPPY.
Dr. Olga Garcia Luepschen and the Gentle Foot Foot Care Center are located on U.S. 27. If you have any questions about foot problems call (863)-314-9255 or go to www.gentlefootcarecenter.com
Gentle Foot Care Center 