Summer Footcare!
Use these 10 summer footcare tips from the College of Podiatry to get your feet in shape for summer.
Trim your toenails for summer
Use proper nail clippers and cut straight across – not too short, and not down at the corners, as this can lead to sore toenails. File them, if that’s easier.
Go barefoot
Go barefoot or wear open-toed sandals whenever you can in the hot weather (except when you’re in a communal shower or changing area) to help stop your feet getting sweaty and smelly.
Forget flip-flops
Don’t be tempted to wear flip-flops or flimsy sandals all through the summer. They don’t provide support for your feet and can give you arch and heel pain if you wear them for too long.
Change socks daily
If you have to wear socks in hot weather, change them once a day and choose ones that contain at least 70% cotton or wool to keep your feet dry and stop them smelling.
Remove hard heel skin
Hard, cracked skin around the heels is very common in summer, often caused by open-backed sandals and flip-flops rubbing around the edge of the heel. Use a foot file, emery board or pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin, then apply a rich moisturising cream with a Urea concentration to soften the skin.
Banish blisters
Blisters strike more often in hot weather. They’re caused by rubbing, especially between the toes if you’re wearing flip-flops with "thongs".
Prevent summer blisters by stretching out sandals. Wear them with socks and walk around indoors to loosen them up, or use foot balm to protect your skin from chaffing.
If you do get a blister, don’t pop it. Cover it in a plaster and if it bursts, apply some antiseptic.
Pedicures
Be careful with pedicures from salons where instruments are not disinfected or sterilised between clients as this can pass on infections.
Watch out for foot infections
The floors of communal showers and changing rooms at open-air and hotel swimming pools are hot spots for infections such. Don’t wander around public pools barefoot. Protect your feet by wearing flip-flops in the changing room and at the pool edge.
Tackle sweat
If you have sweaty feet in the summer, it’s even more important to wash your feet each morning and evening in warm, soapy water, then dry them thoroughly. You can also use an antibacterial wash, which deals with foot odour. Then wipe them with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit and dust them with talc.
Use sun cream on your feet
Don’t stop at the ankle – put sun cream on the tops and soles of your feet as well. Not only does the skin on your feet and toes need protection, but nails are made of protein and are therefore as vulnerable to sun damage as your skin.
Bonus Number 11. See a podiatrist if you have any issues with your feet!