Hot Foot Tips for Summer

By Emily White|2022-04-27T03:33:33+00:00November 21st, 2021|

Summer brings with it warm nights, loads of sun, snags on the barbie and long days frolicking at the beach. On the flipside it can also bring with it painful cracked heels, sandals that leave your feet tired and sore, warts, tinea and fungal toenails. Below are some of the more common conditions our podiatrists see during summer and some hot tips on how to keep your feet healthy during the warmer months.

Cracked Heels

As the weather heats up, we find an increasing number of cracked heels walking through our clinic. The first stage of cracked heels is a build up of hard skin known as callus. Our feet are responsible for carrying the weight of our whole body and as such they withstand a considerable amount of pressure. This pressure can cause the fat pad inside our heels to expand outwards, leading to cracks in the callus. In some cases these cracks can be so deep that they bleed and cause considerable pain. They can also become an open portal for bacteria and fungus to enter.

To avoid cracked heels:

Try to minimise barefoot walking.
Make sure you are avoiding harsh soaps that dry out your skin.
Moisturise your heels with a good quality foot balm.
See a podiatrist to help reduce callus.

Sore and Tired Feet

Thongs and sandals are a summer footwear staple. They are easy to slip on and nice and breezy on those scorcher days. Unfortunately, many thongs and sandals lack the structure our feet require to be well supported and pain free. Most lack arch support, shock absorption and ankle support. When worn for short periods, this may not pose a problem. However, when wearing flimsy summer footwear for extended periods you can be left with blisters as well as achy and tired feet. Not to mention a higher risk of sprained ankles, heel pain, arch pain and even tissue stress and pain further up the body.

Fortunately, there are many summer shoe options that are comfortable and good for your feet, while still being stylish and also lightweight. When shopping for sandals and thongs, ensure they have as many of the following features as possible:

Sandals with adjustable straps to hold your feet in securely, so that your toes aren’t forced to overwork to simply keep them on your feet.
Thongs with straps that fit snuggly around your foot, so you don’t end up clawing your toes to keep them on.
A built-in contoured arch to help control your feet from rolling in (pronating) too much.
A slight elevation at the heel to reduce your risk of Achilles strain or plantar heel pain.

Warts, Tinea and Fungal Nails

Swimming, holidays and camping are all fun aspects of summer. Unfortunately, public pools and change rooms, hotel showers and shared camping site facilities can be a breeding ground for all sorts of nasties. Common contagious skin and nail conditions that we see include verruca pedis (warts), tinea pedis (Athlete’s foot) and fungal toenails. Not only can these conditions be uncomfortable and in some cases itchy, but you may also find yourself feeling self-conscious and reluctant to flash your feet in your brand new summer sandals.

Some top tips to keep your skin and nails healthy during the warmer months include:

Wearing thongs or sandals around pools and while using public showers, change rooms and hotel showers.
Shower before and after swimming.
Ensure you dry your feet carefully with a clean towel and don’t forget to dry between your toes.
When wearing socks, ensure they are made of mostly natural fibres for example cotton, wool or bamboo.
Change your socks daily and even multiple times a day if you find your feet perspire more in the heat.
If you do happen to have any suspicious skin or nail presentations, see you podiatrist for assessment and treatment.

See a podiatrist

After a long Winter spent mostly in lockdown and with our Aussie summer only weeks away, it’s time to ask yourself “are my feet ready to venture out?” A visit to Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics before the end of the year can help prevent some of these common foot problems. Our friendly Melbourne podiatrists are here to help so you and your feet can enjoy the summer !