This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

PROTECT YOUR FEET FROM THE HEAT

The boots are off and plans for the beach are in order! However, shoeless lounging and beach walking does come with potential trouble for bare foot individuals.

The boots are off and plans for the beach are in order!  However, shoeless lounging and beach walking does come with potential trouble for bare foot individuals.  

“Often individuals don’t take time to protect themselves from non-visible dangers to bare feet,”  said Dr. Jodie Sengstock, Immediate Past President of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association.  “Pool areas and public showers are home to infections such as planter warts and athlete’s foot, while the sun’s powerful rays can cause painful sun burns.”

 Podiatrists of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA) have some advice to share that can help prevent harmful conditions to bare feet.

Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

  • Limit walking barefoot as it exposes feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete's foot, ringworm, and other infections and also increases risk of injury to your feet.
  • Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections.
  • Remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, especially the tops and fronts of ankles, and don't forget to reapply after you've been in the water.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This will not only help with overall health, but will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
  • Keep blood flowing with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
  • Some activities at the beach, lake or river may require different types of footwear to be worn so be sure to ask the contact at each activity if specific shoes are needed. To be safe, always pack an extra pair of sneakers or protective water shoes. If your shoes will be getting wet, they should be dried out completely before your next wearing to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing.
  • If you injure your foot or ankle while on vacation or during an outing, seek professional medical attention from a podiatric physician. Many often only contact a doctor when something is broken or sprained, but a podiatrist can begin treating your ailment immediately.
  • In case of minor foot problems, be prepared with the following on-the-go foot gear:
    • Flip flops – for the pool, spa, hotel room, and airport security check points
    • Sterile bandages – for covering minor cuts and scrapes
    • Antibiotic cream – to treat any skin injury
    • Emollient-enriched cream – to hydrate feet
    • Blister pads or moleskin – to protect against blisters
    • Motrin or Advil (anti-inflammatory) – to ease tired, swollen feet
    • Toenail clippers – to keep toenails trimmed
    • Emery board – to smooth rough edges or broken nails
    • Pumice stone – to soften callused skin
    • Sunscreen – to protect against the scorching sun
    • Aloe vera or Silvadene cream – to relieve sunburns

For additional foot care advice, or to find a podiatrist near you, visit www.MPMA.org

Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Farmington-Farmington Hills