Have you ever heard the saying “take it one step at a time?” You can apply this motto to many different aspects of your life, including your healthcare. You may be someone who takes great care of managing your health by attending doctor’s appointments, eating healthy, and exercising but when was the last time you took care of your feet? Without good foot care and health, it could be very difficult or even painful to “take it one step at a time” in life. Foot health is often forgotten or ignored but your feet are essential to your everyday life. From the time you are getting out of bed in the morning to the time you go to sleep, you are constantly using your feet. This is why it is so important to not neglect your foot health and make sure you take good care of them. During the summer months, your feet are very active and exposed to the elements. Make sure to follow these tips from the American Pediatric Medical Association to keep your feet healthy this summer.
1. Don’t Go Barefoot
Not wearing shoes to the beach, pool, locker room, or outside can expose your feet to an array of dangers such as sunburn, fungus, bacteria, and objects that could harm your feet. Even if you don’t want to wear a full shoe, try wearing sandals or water shoes to help protect your feet. When in doubt about what type of activities you will be doing or what shoes you will need, pack an extra pair as a back-up.
2. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important to overall health but did you know that it is also beneficial to your feet? It can help with reducing swelling in your feet due to the heat from temperatures rising.
3. Use Sunscreen on Your Feet
When lathering up with your sunscreen, don’t forget to apply it to your feet. The skin on the top of your feet and toes can easily get sunburnt and be uncomfortable.
4. Pack a Backup Pair of Shoes
When enjoying summer water activities, it is easy for your shoes and feet to get wet. Make sure to pack an extra pair of shoes in case you get wet. Wearing wet shoes can promote bacteria and fungus growth on the feet.
5. Seek Medical Care for Foot Injuries
If you injure your feet make sure to not ignore them and seek medical care quickly. If an injury or infection is ignored it could get worse. People with diabetes need to be especially diligent in taking care of their feet and receiving regular foot care from a podiatrist.
Resources
Summer foot care: Tips for healthy feet: Patients. APMA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2022