Ten Tips for Summer Feet

By Melissa J. Lockwood, DPM, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates

Summertime is here and so are sunny days spent splashing in pools and relaxing on the beach. As many vacationers know, summer can cause some extra wear and tear on the body. Educated consumers usually protect themselves by purchasing sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses. But many will forget to look after the most important and neglected part of the body — the feet.

I recommend the following to protect yourself, especially your feet, from salt water, sand, and other summer scares:

1. Apply sunscreen to feet, especially the tops and fronts of ankles. Your feet and ankles don’t see the sun a lot, so they are at higher risk for sunburns and skin cancer. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen if you’re in the water!
2. When out of the water, wash and dry feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply a topical anti-fungal medication on any cracked or itchy skin. Clean, dry feet are more resistant to bacteria, fungus, and diseases.
3. BYOT — Bring your own towel. Pass up sharing towels to avoid developing athlete’s foot and other diseases that can easily be spread.
4. Take special care of toenails, which are especially vulnerable around damp areas. Injury to the nail bed may make it more susceptible to infection so make an appointment at first sign of discoloration or infection.
5. To avoid toe and ankle injuries, wear shoes that are specific to the activity or sport you’re participating in. Never play Frisbee in sandals and be sure to wear boots or gym shoes when working outside and mowing the lawn.
6. Give yourself plenty of time to break in new shoes before going on trips where you’ll be walking a lot. When trying on new shoes, make sure you have on the same socks you plan to wear with them.
7. When in the ocean, be cautious of jellyfish that often bite at feet and ankles and sharp coral that can cut the undersides of feet. Keeping sandals or water shoes on at all times is a good idea to prevent stings, cuts, and other injuries.
8. Watch out for prickly sea urchin spines or shattered shells when taking walks on the beach. Avoid walking barefoot; wear shoes with a thick enough sole to protect yourself from dangerous debris that could float ashore.
9. Go for a walk or swim! Walking and swimming are great forms of exercise as they are low-impact and easy for almost anyone to indulge in. These are preferable alternatives for those suffering from tendinitis and plantar fasciitis, which can make other types of exercise painful.
10. Most importantly, enjoy the summer! You can enjoy all the joys of summer while still taking good care of your entire body, including your feet!

For help with any foot or ankle problem, you may contact Dr. Melissa Lockwood at 309-661-9975, or www.heartlandfootandankle.com. Her office is located at 10 Heartland Drive in Bloomington and she offers evening and weekend appointments.

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