Our feet inevitably get hot and sweaty in warm weather. This is perfectly natural, but it’s important to deal with this properly; warm and damp feet are a breeding ground for infection, causing all kinds of foot problems.
Sweaty Feet
Your feet are the sweatiest part of the body, so always use foot deodorant. This is available on the high street and it’s wise to use it all year round.
Of course, your feet will get wet when showering, swimming or exercising, but make sure you wash and dry them thoroughly afterward. You can also wear moisture-wicking socks – a great way to keep excess moisture at bay.
Fungal Infections and Warts
However hard you try, fungal infections can easily sneak up on you. Fungi thrive in warm, damp conditions like changing rooms in swimming pools and gyms.
This leads to infections such as athlete’s foot – an uncomfortable condition that causes sore and itchy skin that becomes cracked and flaky. It’s painful and contagious so don’t ignore the symptoms – they won’t go away.
Fungal toenails are another possibility; the nails become discoloured and brittle and may crack altogether. Again, other infections may follow so make sure you get professional advice.
Warts are another consequence of warm and moist conditions. They can be exceptionally painful and affect your ability to walk. Wearing flip-flops in changing rooms and showers will help to keep warts at bay.
Blisters
In hot weather, it’s tempting to avoid socks, but without them your shoes rub against your bare skin. This leads to painful blisters, as your feet have no protection from friction. In addition, heat makes your feet swell so your shoes won’t fit properly, and this is sure to irritate the skin.
Sandals are the obvious choice, but poorly fitting ones slip around and rub. Flip-flops may seem a good idea, but they provide no support for your feet (only wear them in the showers at the swimming pool).
Blisters lead to conditions such as sores and calluses, and you could have difficulty walking. Over-the-counter treatments are available, but if blisters persist it’s best to talk to a podiatrist.
Swollen Feet
You need to cool down in hot weather and your body has a natural process for doing this. Blood vessels become wider which increases blood flow and allows more heat to escape from the surface of the skin.
However, this can cause your feet and ankles to swell and then your shoes won’t fit properly. Friction and pressure then restrict blood flow and lead to many painful conditions like blisters, bunions and ingrown toenails.
Prevent these foot problems by keeping your feet cool. Give them a nice soak in a cool footbath or even use ice to bring down the temperature and ease swelling.
Sunburn
We spend ages applying sun cream on every bit of exposed skin except our feet, which we completely forget! It’s silly really – they’re just as likely to burn as the rest of us, so wear socks or use a good sun cream regularly.
Cracked Skin
Excessive heat dries the skin out and so does dehydration. It if gets too dry it will crack (particularly the heels) and this encourages infection to set in. Always drink plenty of water and use a foot moisturiser to keep skin hydrated and supple.
Get Ready for Summer with Feet By Pody
Prevention is better than cure. Don’t let foot problems stop your fun this summer. Keep your feet in top condition all year round with help from our experienced podiatrists.