Did you know that foot care in summer has to change, if you want to enjoy pretty summer toe nails? It’s true: with changes in weather and activity level, it’s important for you to adjust your foot care routine for July and August. Want to learn the tips and tricks that will protect your feet all season long? Keep reading to understand the keys to foot care in summer.
Foot Care in Summer: Why it Matters More than Ever ![bare foot on the beach]()
Even during our short Powder Springs, GA winter, feet can stay under wraps in boots or sneakers. Come summer, though, it’s all about those summer sandals. So, in the warm weather, you’ve got to level up seasonal foot care.
The appearance of your feet and nails is important. When you’re wearing sandals every day, you want your feet and nails to look healthy. But problems like fungal toenails can make it embarrassing to show off your feet.
What if your nails are fine, but your skin is
rough and callused? This could be an issue if you fall out of your moisturizing routine, or if you wear shoes that rub.
Plus, even if you start the seaon with healthy feet, you may not end it that way. And that's because, when you spend lots of time in open-toed shoes, your feet and nails are vulnerable to bumps and knock-ups. In turn, you're at an increased risk for everything from ingrown toenails to broken toes.
And don't forget about that heat! When you spend the day outdoors, your feet sweat. Then, if you walk acround the public pool or a lockeroom, you've almost doubled your risk for athlete's foot infections or for fungal toenails. And even if you keep your feet covered and reduce your infection risk, your summer shoes may be less supportive than the shoes you wear the rest of the year. So, you're also at a higher risk for heel pain this season.
By now, we've covered all the your feet will face this season. So now, let's explore how you can protect those feet with our top tips for foot care in summer!
1. Proper hygiene is key to foot care in summer
During the sizzling Powder Springs summer, keeping your feet clean is very important. Wash your feet daily, or every other day, with soap and water, taking care to get into the nooks between the toes. After cleaning, make sure to completely dry your feet. Together, proper cleaning and drying can dramatically reduce your risk for fungal infections.
2. Pay attention to texture
Mositurizing your feet should be a year-round part of your foot care routine. It's the only way to keep the delicate skin there from getting rough and dry, or even cracking. Already got some dry skin patches? Now's the time to gently exfoliate your skin several times a week. This should help smooth out your skin. Unless you have corns or calluses. And, if you do, you'll need to come into our podiatry practice in Powder Springs. When you do, Dr. Alvin Cowans can safely and effectively treat your corns and calluses, so that they go away and don't come back.
3. Foot care in summer: remember to cover up
Whether you're walking on the sand or at beside the pool, you shouldn't be going barefoot this summer. When you're on the sand, the hot grains could reach temperatires that burn your feet. Even on a cool day, sharp objects could be hidden beneath the sand surface. And, should you step on them while barefoot, you could get a nasty cut and a subsequent infection.
And what about walking barefoot beside the pool? That one's a no because it's wet, meaning fungus could thrive on the surface of the deck. Add in the high foot traffic in the area, and the only way to prevent infection is to keep your feet under cover.
4. Stare deeply into your feet
While you're showing off your feet more in open sandals, take some time to notice if they've changed shape in any way. Are there bumps on your heel or beneath your big toe joint? That could be the beginning signs of a heel spur or bunion. So come in if there's any sign of shape changes on your feet. With early treatment, we can usually care for your feet without surgery.
5. Foot care in summer: a safer way to enjoy pretty summer toenails
Each summer, many of our patients head to the local nail salon to get a perfect summer pedicure. They think about colors, shapes, and so much more...but they might not think about all the dangers lurking in the spa. Here's the deal. Something as simple as soaking your feet in the salon's foot basin is a major risk for infections. (In fact, some people have lost toes or even feet after getting a pedicure-related foot infection.) So, you should always skip the offer of a foot soak, unless you know that the bowl is lined with clean, disposable plastic covers after each customer completes their pedicure.
Sadly, that's not the only danger lurking at your favorite pedicure spot. Often, pedicurists want to remove your cuticles, but doing so increases your risk for ingrown toenails. Want a safer option? Ask them to leave the cuticle alone entirely. Or, at the very least, just have them press it down gently. Also, regardless of what services you receive at the salon, it's a good idea to bring your own tools with you. But, if that's not possible, make sure that the tools being used on your feet come fresh out of sealed wrapping, and not the jar of sterilizing fluid. Finally, when it comes to nail length, ask your pedicure technician if he or she can file your nails, not cut them. (And, during the filing, ask that they not go too short. The safest length to avoid ingrown toenails is one that shows some visible white nail. Also, ask for square tips, to avoid going too low along the edges of your nail, since that would again increase your risk for ingrowth. And, if you have your choice of polish, try bringing in a selection from Dr.’s REMEDY line of nail color. They have a wide range of shades and each one contains ingredients that strengthen and nourish your nails!
Do you need help with foot care in summer? That's what we're here for! So don't let sore or ugly feet ruin the season of fun. Instead, make an immediate appointment with Dr. Alvin Cowans, so you can jump feet first into all your summer fun!
