Summertime Tips for Healthy Feet

Summer will soon be upon us. And this presents its own set of challenges for our feet. Whether you’re hiking, walking on the beach, or regularly wearing sandals, you’ll want to take some extra precautions to keep your feet happy and healthy during the upcoming season. At Run Doctor, Dr. Maurer and Dr. Vincent make your orthopedic health their top priority, which is why they’ve compiled this helpful guide for healthy foot practices during the hotter months.

Apply sunscreen to your feet

You’re probably neglecting your feet when applying sunscreen. But if they’re exposed when you’re out sunbathing or even just walking on the beach, your feet are in fact just as vulnerable to UV rays as the rest of your body. According to a member of the Podiatric Medical Association, Jane Andersen, DPM, “You can seriously sunburn your feet and no matter how upscale your hotel, athlete's foot can lurk in all public pool areas.” Which brings us to another hazard.

Avoid going barefoot in public areas

This applies to the outdoors, locker rooms, the areas around a pool, and any moist floors in public areas. Going barefoot exposes your feet to a host of problems, including:

• Plantar warts
• Athlete’s foot
• Ringworm
• Infections

You can also expose your feet to serious injury, as you could come into contact with broken glass, sediment, and other sharp objects that can cut or damage your feet when you don’t cover them in public areas.    

Keep a first aid kit handy

Keeping a first aid kit on you is particularly important if you’re going hiking or exploring the outdoors, but it can also be helpful on vacation, or during any outdoor summer activities. You’ll want to keep some things like:

• Sterile bandages and wraps
• Antibiotic ointment
• Foot cream, for hydration
• Anti-inflammatory painkiller, like ibuprofen
• Toenail clippers
• Emery board
• Pumice stone
• Sunscreen
• Aloe Vera

These foot care items can be quite helpful for preventative care and in the case of serious injury as well.

Eat healthy foods

While it’s important to maintain a healthy diet for your overall health, some foods are particularly unhealthy when it comes to your feet. According to Carolyn Dean, M.D., a member of the medical advisory board for the nonprofit Nutritional Magnesium Association, foods high in salt and sugar, as well as heavily-processed foods, can cause your feet to swell and become bloated.

Start taking care of your feet today

If you’re experiencing problems with your feet that seem minor, like athlete’s foot or plantar fasciitis, it might be time to make an appointment at Run Doctor. While it’s best to practice preventative measures, sometimes the elements just get to our feet in the summer, so be safe and seek medical intervention. Call us or schedule an appointment online today.