Staying cool and refreshed is an important way to beat the heat. This includes wearing sandals without socks or even walking around with bare feet. And while it does feel good to wiggle your toes outside and walk through the grass without shoes, it is important to take good care of our feet. Your Houston, TX, podiatrists want to remind you that there are some hazards to staying barefoot in the summer. Viruses such as warts can be spread from person to person especially in locker rooms at the pool or gym. Insects and bees can sting or bite bare feet as you walk in the grass and, if you’re not careful, you can puncture or cut your feet on sharp objects.
- Wear flip-flops or sandals as much as possible. Whether you are in your backyard, sharing a pool or showering at the community pool, it is basic good sense to cover the bottom of your feet to avoid injury or viruses. While swimming pools themselves are kept hygienic through the use of chlorine, the surrounding areas are not. Just a simple set of flip-flops can protect your feet from anything on the surface of the sidewalk, shower floor, or grassy yard.
- Wash your feet thoroughly. When you come indoors from being outside in sandals or bare feet, wash your feet thoroughly to ensure that you have removed any ground-in dirt or contact diseases. If you have sensitivities or allergies to something, you may not notice the problem right away. Washing will remove the irritant and soothe the skin.
- Treat injuries and bites immediately. If you do get injured or stung, take the time to thoroughly clean and treat the area right away to reduce swelling and then treat the affected area with a topical antibiotic if it is a cut or scrape. You may need to put ice on a bee sting to reduce swelling and treat it with an antihistamine. If the area becomes inflamed or very red, contact your Houston, TX, podiatrists.
- Remove rough skin and calluses. Walking around in bare feet and even wearing sandals can cause more rough skin or build calluses on your feet. To soften feet, you can use a pumice stone on rough areas after bathing or showering when skin is softer to gently exfoliate the rough, dry skin.
- Use heavy-duty moisturizers regularly. Moisturizers that are designed especially for feet will help keep skin soft and smooth during the summer. Use a moisturizer after bathing or right before bed to give it time to soak into your skin.
- Use sunscreen on your feet to prevent burning. Feet can burn like other parts of your skin, even when you’re wearing sandals. Use sunscreen when you go out during summer to prevent your feet from becoming lobster red.
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our podiatry office in Houston, Texas, would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
About The Foot Pros
The Foot Pros at Foot & Ankle Associates treat all medical and surgical foot pain and ankle pain conditions, including summer foot care tips. Licensed Houston, Texas, podiatrists, can help bring you foot pain and ankle pain relief.
Our Houston, Texas (TX), podiatry office offers the most effective and state-of-the-art, quality podiatry care services with a smile to patients in our local community, including Sugar Land, Texas (TX), and Houston, Texas (TX).
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