With the warm weather of summer well and truly upon us, here are a few foot care tips to keep your feet it top condition for the upcoming months.
- In the summer, many Australians wear thongs and flat sandals however this footwear generally doesn’t have the necessary support for our feet and ankles when worn as everyday shoes. With little to no support under the arch, large amounts of stress is placed on the structures underneath the feet. Thongs can help with the hot sand at the beach and may reduce the risk of athlete’s foot at public pools, however it is important that these types of shoes are not worn regularly and are instead replaced with supportive footwear such as runners or work shoes.
- During the summer the skin on your feet is prone to dryness and cracking due to hot, dry conditions, excessive sweating and regular use of thongs and sandals. Exposing the skin around the heels to more stress can cause hard callus’ to develop. In some instances the cracking on the heels can split and bleed leaving yourself open to infection. If you are someone who suffers from cracking heels, you can apply a moisturising cream 1-2 times daily. You can also use a pumice stone or foot file regularly after a shower or bath.
- Fungal infections such as athletes foot are another common issue in the warmer months. They can cause itching and blistered, cracked areas of skin. If you are someone who wears shoes and socks all day and are prone to sweaty feet, it is important that you take more time and care when drying your feet. Regularly changing your socks to reduce the amount of time your feet are wet or exposing your feet periodically to allow them to air out can reduce the likelihood of developing a fungal infection, It is important to be aware of communal pools and showers, wearing something on your feet to reduce your risk of picking up a fungal infection or plantar wart.
- It is more common for nail polish to be worn in summer, however unfortunately nail polish assists in making an environment where fungus likes to grow. If you are applying nail polish I recommend giving your nails a break every couple of weeks. This will also allow you to check if there is any nail damage or discolouration.
- The tops of our feet are often exposed during summer, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
- If you are a diabetic it is extremely important that you wear your shoes and socks at all times to avoid injury. Check your feet daily for any cuts. If any issues arise, it is important to get it seen to as soon as possible to avoid more serious conditions like ulcers and potential amputations.
If you are having any issues or would like a clean up coming into Summer, please contact our friendly podiatrists at Coast Sport to make an appointment or book online by clicking the button below!
Helping the Central Coast Feel Well, Move Well and Perform Well!