As the summer rolls in so does the heat and nothing spoils the activities of summer like some simple foot problems such as blisters, sunburn, and fungal infections.
To help ward off some of these little things that can have a big splash on your activities, let's look at some easy preventative ways to reduce their risks. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Blisters
Blisters can have many causes in the heat of the summer, the most common reason is friction of two surfaces rubbing against each other such as footwear and your skin. Let's look at a few ways to prevent them from happening.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Excessive moisture from being around pools, lakes, rivers, or the ocean or just simply the heat of the summer causing your feet to sweat can create friction problems and can lead to blisters. Sometimes keeping the feet dry in these conditions is difficult. Sweating can be reduced by using antiperspirants on the feet.
Make Sure Shoes are Properly Fit
Poor fitting shoes can shift during your activity and cause rubbing and secondarily blisters. If the shoes are new, break them in before you take that trip. Nothing spoils a trip than to begin a beach vacation with a blister from new shoes.
Wear Moisture Wicking Socks
Synthetic socks or blends offer moisture wicking capabilities, unlike all-cotton socks that hold moisture against the skin. Wear socks with shoes. The socks add a friction barrier between your feet and the shoe. Don’t forget to bring an extra pair of socks to change during the day as your feet sweat.
Use Water Shoes
Opt for water shoes when walking on abrasive surfaces or in situations where rocks or sand might become trapped between the skin and sandal straps. These can also protect you from burn blisters from walking on exceedingly hot surfaces around the pool, or on beach side parking lots, or on hot sand.
If a Blister Does Develop
If you feel a blister developing, cover the area with a bandage or moleskin to help prevent it from worsening. It is not advised to pop the blister as this could increase the risk of infection. If it does pop, clean and cover with a topical antibiotic and a fabric bandage.
Sunburns
Feet can burn more easily because they often have limited sun exposure and are positioned perfectly like solar collectors. To protect them, apply a high SPF—preferably a waterproof or water-resistant sunblock. Keep in mind that wading through water intensifies the sun's rays, and water can wash away the sunscreen, so reapplying frequently is recommended.
Fungus
Limit direct contact of feet in public areas such as poolsides. Use sandals to limit direct contact as much as possible and rinse them off well once leaving the pool. Also, consider sunscreen with tea tree oil to help prevent fungus infections.
Over all, staying ahead of these simple conditions can make the difference in enjoying the waterside experiences.
