With more outdoor activities and opportunities to kick off your shoes, the summer months can be pretty rough on your feet. As many of us prefer to wear open-toed footwear throughout the season, we’re often more aware of the appearance of our feet and others’—making some feel self-conscious.
We want to help ensure that your feet not only look their best this summer, but they also feel their best so that you don’t miss out on any of your favorite activities. Follow these six tips to maintain proper foot health this season!
1. Always Apply Sunscreen
The feet are one of the most frequently missed areas when applying sunscreen, so it’s not surprising that they’re also one of the most common spots where people get painful and unsightly burns. Because your feet are just as susceptible to skin cancer as any other part of your body, we cannot stress enough how critical it is to apply sunscreen to the tops, sides, and even bottoms of each foot. Don’t forget to reapply frequently—especially after a swim.
2. Limit Walking Barefoot
It certainly can feel nice to ditch your shoes and go barefoot when the weather is nice. However, while connecting with nature is important, walking around barefoot does come with some potential health risks—particularly in public spaces. Community pools, splash parks, and bathhouses are breeding grounds for harmful fungus and bacteria that can cause warts and infection. To avoid these issues or any burns and injuries, we encourage you to wear protective footwear.
3. Choose Appropriate Footwear
From taking long walks on the beach and exploring hiking trails to going for bike rides and playing lawn games, there’s no shortage of fun activities to do over the summer! Before you head out on your adventures, make sure that your shoes are an appropriate choice for whatever activity you’re going to be doing. If your feet are going to get wet, consider wearing water shoes with good tread. Browsing the boardwalk? Slip on a supportive pair of sneakers! Different activities affect your feet in different ways, so it’s important to keep that in mind when selecting footwear. If you need a pair of supportive yet stylish shoes for the summer, we recommend stopping by The Right Shoe in Lititz!
4. Let Blisters Heal Naturally
Blisters often occur when socks and shoes get sweaty or wet and rub against the skin. Although blisters can be quite painful, we discourage rupturing a blister on your own to relieve pressure. Rather, use a padded bandage or moleskin to reduce friction, keep it clean, and allow the blister to heal naturally. It should go away within a week.
5. Keep Your Feet Clean and Moisturized
Because of the higher temperatures and frequently exposed toes, it’s easy for feet to become sweaty and dirty during the summertime. To keep your feet looking and feeling good all season long, make sure that you wash them with antibacterial soap every day—especially after going barefoot. Sunscreens, sand, chlorine, and sun exposure can dry out the skin on your feet as well. Moisturize your feet regularly to hydrate cracking or flaking skin.
6. Stay Hydrated
Warm weather can cause your feet and ankles to swell—especially after prolonged periods of sitting or standing outdoors. To reduce swelling, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Not only will this help minimize any inflammation, but it also benefits your overall health. So be sure to pack plenty of water bottles if you plan on being out in the heat for a while!
