Summer here in Australia is a time filled with sun, sea and sand for many of us. Who doesn’t love spending a day on the beach soaking up the sun and swimming in the refreshing ocean? You know who doesn’t? Your feet. They take a bit of a beating during the hot summer months, whether you’re in Sydney, Brisbane or Perth. To help keep your feet looking beautiful and feeling fab, here are 7 summer foot care tips you need to know.
1. Ice Foot Soaks
After a particularly hot day, your feet may be swollen or sore. Just as you would soak your hands in cold water if your rings are stuck, your feet can benefit from cold soaks as well.
Soak your feet in a bowl of ice water for 5-10 minutes and they’ll soon feel refreshed and back to their normal size. Pat dry with a towel and then moisturise to keep them soft and supple.
2. Avoid Going Barefoot
Unless you are at home, always wear shoes while out and about. Your feet can get dirty, picking up all sorts of germs or fungal infections, not to mention they could burn on the hot ground in the peak of summer.
3. Get Some Water Shoes
If you take part in lots of outdoor activities that are water based, like canoeing, kayaking, fishing or snorkelling, invest in a pair of water shoes. These will help protect your feet while exposed to sand and rocky surfaces, and they’ll also give you better stability and grip on uneven or slippery surfaces.
4. Apply Sunscreen
When you put your sunscreen on, don’t forget your feet! You protect your face, neck, legs, arms and body, so don’t stop at your feet. They need just as much sun protection as the rest of your body, and often in summer they are one of the most exposed areas of your body.
5. Exfoliate
Use a pumice stone or foot file to scrub any rough patches of skin on the soles of your feet. During summer, open shoes are usually the order of the day due to the hot Aussie weather, but this can leave your feet exposed and more susceptible to hardening skin. The most affected areas to concentrate on are your heels, sides and the underside of your big toe.
6. Moisturise
After exfoliating, hop in the shower and wash your feet. Once out the shower, moisturise your feet and your soles to help your skin absorb more moisture and seal it in. This will protect your feet from becoming rough or cracked again. You may have to repeat this process over a few days if your feet are suffering. As a preventative measure, our Sydney podiatrists recommend doing this daily to help protect your feet long term.
7. Don’t Live In Thongs
When it’s ridiculously hot outside, it’s almost inconceivable that you’d wear anything else on your feet besides thongs. But wearing things all day every day is not going to help your feet at all. Backless shoes like thongs and sandals leave your heels and sides of your feet exposed to the harsh summer elements. Balance your time in thongs, with closed and more supportive and protective shoes.
If your feet need some TLC this summer and home remedies just aren’t cutting it, make an appointment with one of our qualified podiatrists in Sydney.
The Foot Hub offers a range of services including cosmetic nail treatment, ingrown toenail surgery, and foot assessments.
Contact us online now or call us on 02 8096 4763.
