Summer Heat hurting your Feet?

Chicago was very hot last week. Did you remember to apply sunscreen to your feet? Did you forget to apply it to the bottom of your feet and the front of your ankles? Before you get sunburn on your feet, which is not pleasant, apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.

• Wash and dry feet thoroughly when exiting a pool or the beach, especially between the toes. Apply a topical anti-fungal medication on any cracked or itchy skin to prevent warts and athlete’s foot. The last thing you want to deal with this summer is a foot virus or fungus, so keep feet clean and dry.

• Sharing towels can spread athlete’s foot and other diseases. Keep track of your towel and make sure you are the only one using it.

• Did you know toenails are especially vulnerable around damp areas? If the nail bed is injured, it becomes more susceptible to infection. If you notice discoloration, you may have an infection. Call to schedule an appointment.

American Podiatric Medical Association. (2011). Summer Foot Care. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/FeatureArticles/SummerFootCare.aspx

Image by Kevin H. License CC BY-NC-NC-2.0. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/4325861693/