Summer Foot Care

Alongside the changing seasons come changes in our habits, and self-care can sometimes be the first to suffer. The hustle and bustle of everyday life often prevent us from taking care of ourselves. But there's no excuse for ignoring our wellness! 

With summer approaching, it's time to dust off those warm-weather clothes; it's the time of year when many of us are spending more time outdoors. With the nicer weather, it's unwise to overlook foot care. After a long winter, many people neglect their feet, so now is as good a time as any to take care of them and prepare for summer. 

Here are some essential summer foot care tips to guide you on your way:

Pace yourself:

Just because summer is on the way doesn't mean you need to start exercising intensely. Be careful not to overdo it at the start of the new season when your body is still adjusting to it, especially if you have let yourself slack over the winter months, or you might end up injuring yourself. Start slowly and steadily to avoid injury.

If you want to improve your strength and endurance, you need to do it safely. You must work on small, consistent increases in the activity every week by roughly 10%. It's a proven method called the progressive overload principle, which is the basis of muscle building. So this means that your body will be able to handle what you are doing overtime, and it won't cause harm. You always need to start slow, and not jump too quickly into something.

Cross-train:

While you might be excited to get back to running every day, you'll want to take a more disciplined approach. Running every day might not work for you, so gradually increase the number of days per week you go running. As you get used to the amount of exercise, gradually increase the amount of time that you spend running each day.

Many people consider jogging their primary form of exercise, but this can be overwhelming. It's easy to overdo it and jog too much instead of adding other activities like cycling or swimming into the mix. People often overuse their feet and muscles in the lower leg when they've been running for a long time, leading to major injuries.

Choosing the right footwear:

Summer is sandal season, but that doesn't mean we have to subject our feet to the stifling heat. Our feet deserve a stylish, fabulous pair of shoes and proper care and support.

Sandals are a great summer option, and they're a smart choice if they're made from breathable materials like canvas or leather. That way, your toes will stay cool. Make sure to choose sandals that provide arch support and have ample cushioning in order to avoid blisters. 

There are many factors to take into consideration when designing sport-specific footwear. It's incredibly important for activities like running, hiking, and even working out in the gym, that it provides the optimal amount of support and ventilation for the task at hand. You should always be sure that you are wearing the correct shoe for the job.

Tanned feet and sun cream:

Summer is the perfect time to practice good foot health. You're probably enjoying the sun and sand, but it's also essential to take care of your feet. Preventing a range of problems — from sweaty feet that could cause fungal infections and bad odour to nasty blisters — is a breeze! 

Using sunscreen on your feet is just as important as using it on the rest of your body. Sunscreen is a vital protection against skin damage and cancer, and your feet are not constantly exposed to the sun, so it's easy to forget. Every time you apply sunscreen on one body part, remember to apply it on top of your feet too! 

Visit a podiatrist:

Whilst we sincerely hope that following the tips will mean you avoid serious foot problems this summer, we realise that you may still encounter some problems.

If you are suffering from a problem that prevents you from living your best life, come and see us. All of our staff are high-qualified professionals, and they will always put you at ease and try to help you solve your problem. 

*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.