Summer is in full swing. As back-to-school time looms, many families are rushing to fit in as many relaxing beach days as possible. Others are working to soak up as much sun as possible before those 6 pm sunsets return.
However, your feet are also receiving maximum exposure. Exposure to the elements, like sand at the beach and chlorine in the swimming pool. And exposure to the critical gaze of friends, family, and strangers.
Firstly, 5 tips for better foot health in the summer months
A healthy foot is an attractive foot. Here are some ways to promote summer foot health.
- Wear shoes. The idea of frolicking barefoot in the sand or poolside might sound great, but the reality can be hazardous. (Especially so for people with diabetes.) Bare feet are vulnerable to sunburn and injuries from broken glass and metal objects, as well as conditions like plantar warts, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. Wear shoes poolside and in the locker room to help prevent foot problems and wearing flip-flops is fine as long as they have semi-rigid arch support.
- Apply waterproof-ish high SPF sunscreen to your feet, especially the tops. And don’t forget to reapply that sunscreen when you come out of the water.
- Prevent fungal infections. When your sneakers or flip-flops get wet, don’t wear them again until they’re dry. This will help you keep bacteria and fungus from growing, first in your footwear, and then in your feet.
- Promote blood flow by frequently flexing your ankles, wiggling your tootsies, and stretching your calves.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated will not only reduce foot swelling caused by summer heat, but it will also benefit your overall health!
Now, 10 foot care tips for beautiful summertime feet
Now that we’ve kept your feet healthy, let’s beautify them. Here are some methods to enhance your pedal aesthetics.
- Foot beauty begins with cleanliness. Even though they’re all the way down there at the bottom, thoroughly clean and scrub your feet, including the spaces between your toes, each time that you shower or bathe.
- After they’ve been cleansed, keep your feet dry, even between your toes. Fungus thrives in moisture and dies in aridity. Use moisturizers and keep your cuticles pushed back.
- Pretend that your feet are interesting. Frequently and carefully examine them for any scaling or peeling, which could indicate an onset of athlete’s foot. Also, look for discoloration on the nails. This could indicate a nail fungus.
- Cut your toenails correctly. Straight across, without excessively rounded corners. (Rounding the corners can lead to ingrown toenails.)
- Wear footwear and socks that wick away the perspiration caused by those 250,000 sweat glands in each foot. Socks made from synthetic fibers are better at allowing moisture to evaporate than socks made from cotton or wool. Shoes with mesh fabric allow maximum aeration of your feet.
- Use a foot scrub to exfoliate your skin, and let it look as healthy as it is. The internet is rife with recipes for exfoliating DIY foot scrubs.
- Moisturize dry skin. If the back of your heels looks like an alligator’s skin, soak your feet in warm soapy water. Use a pumice stone on your calluses and an over-the-counter liquid bandage to heal and seal those heel cracks.
- A self-administered foot massage can stimulate blood flow and improve the appearance of your feet. Sit in a chair and roll the bottom of your foot, heel to toe and back again, over a golf or tennis ball.
- After your foot massage, or at some other frequent and regular interval, use a natural emollient, such as coconut oil, to moisturize your feet. Lotions and foot creams are also a good option.
- After a long day of summer sports and swollen feet, try a foot soak in a basin of warm water with Epsom salts. This may not particularly enhance the looks of your feet, but it sure will feel good.
And join us in anticipating the time, which we hope will soon arrive, when we can all enjoy the beach together.
Why choose University Foot and Ankle Institute for family foot care?
If you or anyone in your family are experiencing foot problems, we’re here to help. Our nationally recognized foot and ankle specialists offer the most advanced podiatric care and the highest success rates in the nation. We are leaders in researching, diagnosing, and treating all foot and ankle conditions.
For more information or to schedule a consultation in the greater Los Angeles area, please call (877) 736-6001 or make an appointment now.
University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California with podiatry clinics in (or near) Santa Monica (on Wilshire Blvd.), Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, and the San Fernando Valley, Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay, LAX, Westlake Village, Valencia, Santa Clarita, and Santa Barbara.
When not tending to patients at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Jafary utilizes his surgical expertise assisting those less fortunate. As a member of the Yucatan Crippled Children Foundation, he has traveled to Mexico several times and performed hundreds of limb correction surgeries on children with disabling foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Jafary also participates in Podiatry Overseas, which takes him to underserved countries to treat patients with lower extremity deformities.
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