One perk of a beach-bound vacation is knowing that instead of snow soaking through your boots, you can lounge shoe-free with the sand in between your toes. But alas, the dream does come with its own set of tootsie troubles. “Even if you are just lying still on your back soaking up the rays, your feet are still vulnerable,” says American Podiatric Medical Association member Dr. Jane Andersen. “You can seriously sunburn your feet and no matter how upscale your hotel, athlete’s foot can lurk in all public pool areas.”
Wouldn’t you rather have happy toes than summer foot woes? There are ways to prevent these future foot predicaments.
- Limit walking barefoot as it exposes feet to sunburn, injury and infections, such as plantar warts, athlete’s foot and ringworm.
- Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any infections. Consider BioPed Sole moulded flip flops; they provide arch support and are available in men or womens sizes.
- 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. If you are prone to swelling, obtain BioPed compression stockings for your lengthy flight/road trip and get a leg up on reducing swelling!
- 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 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 this summer, seek professional medical attention from your family doctor and a Find a BioPed foot specialist.
- 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
- BioPed Footlogix foot creams – 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
- BioPed Footlogix foot file – to soften callused skin
- Sunscreen – to protect against the scorching sun
- Aloe vera or Silvadene cream – to relieve sunburns
- BioPed compression hose –to reduce swelling associated with lengthy travel
This article is adapted from Apma’s “All Toes on Deck”
