The summer is the best time to wear sandals and open-toed shoes and show off your feet. However, you must prepare your feet for the season! Read these dos and don’ts for summer feet to learn how to navigate this season and the heat. Time to let your feet thrive!
Suns Out, Toes Out
After the cold weather of winter and the rainy spring season, it’s finally time to say hello to summer! You no longer need thick boots or shoes to protect your feet (or keep them warm). It’s time to welcome open-toed shoes, strappy sandals, and comfy sneakers back into your life. However, taking care of your feet is vital to help them thrive this season!
Basic Foot Care
Like the rest of your body, the best way to properly care for your feet is to practice good hygiene. While bathing, clean your feet with soap and warm water to eliminate dirt, germs, and bacteria. After bathing, pat your feet completely dry with a soft towel. Fungal organisms flourish in moist areas, and you don’t want an infection, so dry feet are the way to go.
In addition, always wear a pair of clean socks with your shoes. And allow your feet to breathe after wearing shoes for a while. While following basic care, you should check your feet once a week for any blisters, swelling, scratches, or fungal growth. If you have any problems, take the necessary steps to resolve them.
Athlete’s Foot
Despite the name, you don’t have to be an athlete to experience athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). This is a common foot infection that many people encounter. You can contract this highly contagious condition in swimming pools, communal showers, and locker rooms because fungus thrives in moist and humid areas. Be sure to wear sandals or shower shoes in those places to avoid contracting the infection!
If you suspect that you have athlete’s foot symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, and peeling between the soles of your feet, it would be best to visit a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Treating Foot Fungal Infections
Given the highly contagious nature of fungal infections like athlete’s foot, you may experience this issue. Fortunately, over-the-counter antifungal lotions and creams can relieve symptoms. Oils with antibacterial properties like neem and tea tree can also help!
Getting Your Feet Summer Ready
After months of wearing thick socks and heavy shoes, your feet may not be summer-ready. But that’s OK because here are five easy steps to get your feet ready for the heat:
Step 1: Soak. Give your feet a twenty-minute soak in warm water to soften any hard or dry skin. Soaking boosts blood circulation, increases skin hydration, and soothes your feet muscles.
Step 2: Exfoliate. After soaking your feet, use a disposable pumice stone to rub away stubborn patches of dry skin. Don’t forget to rub your heels and the bottom of your feet. In addition, you can use a salt or sugar scrub as a mild exfoliant.
Step 3: Moisturize. Similar to skincare routines, restoring moisture is important after exfoliating your skin. Therefore, you should apply lotion or foot cream to your feet. Gently massage the product into your heels and toes to restore hydration.
Step 4: Nail care. Caring for your toenails is extremely important because it prevents fungal nail infections or ingrown nails (which are painful). You should regularly trim and file your nails to avoid those problems. In addition, massage vitamin E oil into your cuticles to help keep them healthy.
Step 5: SPF protection. When wearing sandals or flip-flops, you expose your feet to the sun’s UV rays. And for protection, it’s best to wear sunscreen. Purchase a sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection to prevent skin damage and sunburn.
The Dos and Don’ts: Summer Edition
Now that you understand the steps for preparing your feet for the summer, it’s essential to go over the important dos and don’ts for the season.
Do
- Wear the appropriate shoes for different activities. For example, wear athletic shoes for exercising instead of flip-flops or sandals.
- Apply sunscreen to your feet and ankles before going outside and reapply the cream every two hours.
- Drink plenty of water to reduce heat-related swelling in your feet and hydrate your skin.
- Keep an extra pair of dry shoes handy just in case your shoes become damp.
- Seek medical attention if you injure your foot or ankle.
Don’t
- Go barefoot in public spaces like spas, locker rooms, and pools. You may contract athlete’s foot or other infections. In addition, you may injure your feet.
- Keep your feet in sweaty socks or shoes for long periods. Fungal infections can develop in those conditions.
- Wear footwear that lacks proper support. Choose shoes that offer good arch support and are appropriate for your activity.
- Ignore blisters, cuts, scrapes, or foot injuries. Keep a foot care kit with bandages and antibiotic cream.
- Wear tight or uncomfortable shoes because they increase your risk of developing foot pain or injuries.
Foot Care Kit
As previously mentioned, keeping a foot care kit on hand is smart because you can remedy minor issues like cuts and scrapes. To prepare your kit, here are the things you should include:
- Sterile bandages – To cover minor cuts and scrapes.
- Blister pads – Protect against blisters.
- Toenail clippers – Keep your toenails trimmed.
- Antibiotic cream – Treat skin injuries.
- Sunscreen – Protect your feet from harsh UV rays.
- Aloe vera – Relieve sunburns.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine – Relieve the pain of swollen or tired feet.
Additional Tips
Everyone likes to let loose for the summer, but remaining mindful of your feet will allow you to enjoy the season and avoid mishaps. The proper footwear gives your feet enough room to maneuver and thrive. And after a long day of activities, don’t forget to pamper yourself. Giving yourself foot massages, soaking in an Epsom salt bath, or elevating your feet are perfect ways to give yourself some needed TLC.
Are You Interested in Something More?
Summer feet isn’t complete without an awesome pedicure. If you’re interested in showing off your cute toes, paint them with lovely colors. If you need nail polish ideas, the season’s hottest colors are:
- Mint Green
- Light Peach
- Bright Yellow
- Candy Apple Red
- Periwinkle
- Pastel Purple
- White
There is never a wrong time to get your feet ready for the heat. Always refer to this guide on the dos and don’ts for summer feet as you settle into the season. And if you’re interested in nail polish, pumice stones, and other nail tools, you should shop at Nail Company Wholesale Supply. With a wide selection of items, we have everything you need for the perfect manicure or pedicure. Please browse our website today!
