Keeping your feet healthy during Summer

During the summer time the feet can often be neglected and can also be exposed to a greater amount of potentially hazardous environments if not taken care of propely.

Follow these simple tips to keep your feet healthy during the hotter months:

• Avoid walking barefoot if you have diabetes, neurovascular disease or neuropathy. This will reduce the risk of missing a cut, a nail or any other debris in the foot. This can often be the starting point for amputation. If you have any of these conditions, regular podiatry care is very important.
• Do not wear the same pair of shoes everyday rotate them or if you can, wear a different pair each day of the week.
• Always keep feet shod poolside, in change rooms and communal areas to avoid picking up bacterial or fungal infections.
• After water-related activities, make sure wet shoes are removed and allowed to dry out completely to stop bacterial and fungal growth.
• Keeping feet clean and dry will also help prevent tinea. Signs and symptoms can include itching, red patches and peeling skin. Treatments can be found at a pharmacy or if severe see your podiatrist.
• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet; they are just as susceptible to the sun’s UV damage as other areas of the body.
• Encourage blood flow to the feet, by regularly carrying out calf stretches, ankle flexes and toe wiggles. See a podiatrist to keep toenails trimmed straight across with nail clippers and avoid cutting too close to the skin or down at the corners as this can invite infection and the development of ingrown toenails.

Avoid wearing unsupportive flexible shoes. Wearing open shoes with arch contour and a stiff mid-sole will allow your feet to breathe and lower the risk of infections from hot and sweaty feet, whilst also prevent heel and arch pain.

If you are wearing closed-in shoes, always wear socks to avoid excessive sweating.

In drier months, skin can build up in areas where soles rub against the skin of your feet, particularly at the heels. Weekly use of a pumice stone or foot file can prevent build up which can keep skin healthy. Follow this by application of a heel balm
or emollient.

After being on our feet all day, to reduce swelling and aching of feet, soak feet in a foot bath with a small amount of Epsom salts.

• Stay hydrated by drinking water. That will help decrease foot swelling caused by the heat.

Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you!

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