Summer is here, and you may spend hours outside enjoying without stifling socks or walking barefoot on the sand. But you must take precautions to protect your feet from some of the seasonal threats. Here are some tips on how to avoid common summer foot ailments and maintain healthy summer feet.

Tips for healthy summer feet

1.     Trim your toenails

Use appropriate nail scissors. Cut your nails straight and don’t keep them too short to help prevent an ingrown toenail.

2.     Walk barefoot

Walk barefoot or wear open-toed sandals whenever you can. But avoid walking barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, communal bathrooms and the dressing area to avoid getting athlete’s foot.

If you are a diabetic patient, do not to go barefoot to avoid nicks and cuts.

3.     Avoid flip flops

Slippers are easy to wear and come in a variety of styles, but avoid wearing flip-flops or sandals all summer.  They don’t provide foot support and might cause arch and heel pain if worn for an extended period of time.

4.     Change your socks daily

If you have to wear socks in hot weather, don’t forget to change them at least once a day and choose socks that contain at least 70% cotton to keep your feet dry and odor prevention.

5.     Get rid of hard heel skin

Hard, cracked skin around the heels is very common in summer and is often caused by open-toed sandals and flip-flops that rub around the edge of the heel.

Use a foot file or a pumice stone to gently scrub hard skin, then apply a moisturizing cream to soften the skin.

6.     Take a break from nail polish

Nails need to breathe from time to time so take a break from nail polish about once a month for a few days to a week. This can help prevent discoloration of your nails.

7.     Watch out for sweat

Sweaty feet can be worsened by hot summer weather. If you suffer from sweaty feet in the summer, it is important to wash your feet every morning and evening with warm water and soap and dry them well. You can also use an antibacterial lotion to get rid of foot odor.

8.     Use sun cream on your feet

Don’t stop at your ankles; apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet’s soles as well. Remember that not only does the skin on your feet and toes require protection, but so do your nails.

If you are diabetic and have neuropathy, it may be difficult to notice that your feet are burning in the sun, so apply sunscreen regularly.

These tips will definitely help you enjoy the summer and maintain healthy summer feet…