Summer is here in Arizona and there are numerous chances to enjoy the sun and have fun. However, summer can also impose health risks on the feet, and it is important to make sure you properly take care of your feet this summer. The following are several tips for you to be aware about for the summer:
- Minimize how much you go barefoot – Since the weather is nice and sunny, it can be tempting to go barefoot or wear flip-flops most of time. However, when you are barefoot, your feet are vulnerable to injuries, including trauma to the toes, and sunburns.
- Always wear appropriate shoes – Even though flip-flops are nice and convenient, they are not meant to be worn for long-term, but can be okay for short-term wear. However, if you have excessively sweaty feet, flip-flops can be a great way to minimize fungal infections by ensuring your feet have exposure to air and drying. Wearing properly fitted and supported shoes will remain vital to the health of your feet this summer to minimize injury. For more information on flip-flops, check out the link to our blog for Flip-Flops – How they can affect your foot health.
- Whenever you are barefoot, apply sunscreen to your feet – even though getting proper sun exposure is important for vitamin D intake, it is also a risk for developing burns on your feet.
- Ensure you keep yourself and your feet hydrated – with continual heat exposure, it is easy to become dehydrated. Staying hydrated helps tremendously with circulation, swelling, and preventing cracking of the skin. The heels and in between the toes are especially susceptible to dehydration and cracking.
- Properly clean your feet and nails daily, especially if you have diabetes – When outside enjoying the weather, if your feet are not properly protected, they are susceptible to injury. For people with diabetes, it is important to properly inspect and clean your feet daily since many commonly have a loss of sensation and can be unaware if they have an injury.
- Watch out for fungal infections – If some individual sweats excessively, they are more prone to developing fungal infections on your feet. Ensure the footwear worn allows the feet to breath, such as mesh lined shoes, or flip-flops if they are worn short-term. Having at least two pairs of shoes to rotate through will allow the other shoes to air dry and minimize excessive moisture in the shoes.
If you have concerns about your foot health this summer, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay C. Larson at Sole Foot and Ankle Specialists in Glendale, Arizona. We will explain all your treatment options to available to you to help improve your foot health this upcoming summer.