• Wear the right socks:  Acrylic and synthetic blend socks work best to wick away perspiration that can lead to fungal infections. Moisture of any kind is the perfect environment for a fungus to grow.
•  Head off blisters: Sandals often cause blisters on the feet when they rub against bare skin. If you feel a blister coming on, use padding such as moleskin or a liquid bandage product to reduce friction.
• Give your feet some air:  If possible, avoid wearing closed shoes during summer months. Go with sandals or open-toed shoes but always make sure that you wear the proper shoes for activities that require arch support. If this is the case you can opt to remove your shoes once in awhile throughout the day so your feet can "air out,"  This will help keep your feet dry and sweat-free.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water on summer days will minimize foot swelling due to the heat, according to the APMA. This is very important not only for your feet but for your whole body.
• Use sunscreen: Yes, your feet can also get sun burnt, so don't forget to slather sunscreen on exposed parts of your feet in the summer. Be sure to reapply after swimming or sweating heavily, even if the sunscreen is "waterproof". Use sunscreen with 15 SPF (sun protection factor) or higher to guard against skin cancer and premature aging of the skin on your feet.
• Moisturize: Keep your feet from drying out by applying moisturizer in the morning after you shower ( to lock in moisture).  Feet dry out more in the summer because you're not wearing socks all the time; a little  moisturizer will make your feet feel great and leave them baby smooth.
• Evaluate your flip-flop wear: Thong-style flip-flops can result in sore feet and ankles. But even so, you don't have to completely steer clear of flip-flops in the summer. There are some flip-flops that are better than others. Choose styles with good arch and heel support.  Also avoid walking in them for long distances.
• Add cushioning to summer shoes: Although fashionable, summer slides and flimsy sandals often have thin soles and little cushioning and foot support. Use cushioned inserts to help provide added support. Inserts are available at shoe stores and at many drug stores as well as our office.
• Wear the right shoes for the activity: Certain activities, such as boating, rock climbing, and other sports require specific types of shoes for optimal foot health and safety. Plan ahead and bring appropriate footwear.
• Keep shoes and socks dry:  If your shoes and socks get wet, take them off and dry them completely before putting them back on; this will guard against fungal infections. Pack an extra pair for outings involving water or when the forecast calls for rain.
• Clean feet after water activities: Rinse your feet with clean water after taking a dip. This also applies for stepping in puddles of water. Stagnant water in lakes, rivers, and puddles often contain bacteria that could potentially lead to foot infections.
• Inspect old shoes: Worn-out, tattered shoes can cause blisters. Look carefully at your sandals and flip-flops from the previous summer and throw out any that seem worn. If in doubt, donate them to our shoe drive. We will look at them and see if they can help someone in need. If nothing else, you'll have an excuse to go shoe shopping! 
• Pamper your Feet: Yes ladies, you have a responsibility to make your feet pretty. Give yourself an at-home pedicure or indulge in a professional one. Besides making your toenails look attractive, a pedicure can remove flaky skin, cleanse your feet, and help you relax. Be sure to remember to remove nail polish periodically. Covering your nails with polish all summer long can be unhealthy for your nails. Take off your polish periodically to give the nail bed some air. We have beautiful shades of antifungal nail polish in the office. Give us a call or stop by either of our offices for colors and prices.

 

SHOEDRIVE UPDATE!

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support our shoe drive.  We have now collected over  230 pairs of shoes but we are still a long way from our 2010 goal of 1000 pairs. Please help those less fortunate by bringing your new or gently worn shoes to our office.  We are donating the shoes  to  Sunrise Pasco to help women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  (We are accepting men's shoes as well.)