Summer is the time for picnics, pool parties and playing outside—not foot pain.
Follow these ten tips for keeping your feet healthy and comfortable this summer:
- Don't walk barefoot. Your feet can suffer cuts and puncture wounds that can become infected.
- Apply sunscreen to your feet to protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
- Wear socks. Bare feet inside of shoes can lead to athlete's foot and other fungal infections, blisters and calluses. Change socks throughout the day when necessary to keep feet dry.
- Don't pop blisters. These are a natural barrier to infection.
- Don't fall for fashion trends. When buying sandals, make sure they provide arch support and heel cushioning.
- Wear larger shoes to accommodate swollen feet, especially if you work outside.
- Clean and disinfect spider and ant bites to avoid infection.
- Stay hydrated to avoid leg cramps and muscle spasms.
- Warm up and stretch before exercising and cool down and stretch afterward. This will help prevent injuries to the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
- If your feet hurt, come see us. Foot and ankle pain shouldn't be ignored. If pain persists after three days of rest, schedule an appointment with our office.