Sound Foot Care Center of CT
148 East Ave, Suite 2G
Norwalk, CT 06851
Ph. 203.866.7686
Fax. 203.866.7685

­ How to Get Your Feet Ready for Summer­

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Memorial Day means a nod of approval to wear white clothes and shoes and to carry a white bag. For most of us, it marks the unofficial first day of summer and a time for strappy sandals and flip flops. It also means some lazy days going barefoot.

Feet aren't the most glamorous part of the human body. However, as warm weather arrives, it's important not to ignore them. According to The Washington Post, as the temperatures heat up, you should regularly check your feet for any swelling, discoloration or redness. All of these are signs of infection that are easy to treat but only if detected early. If you even suspect it might be necessary to see a doctor, pick up the phone and dial.

Here are some tips the Post gathered from podiatrists to get your feet ready for summer, sandals and going barefoot:

1. Wash and dry carefully. It's important to clean your feet every day using soap and water. Be sure to take the time to towel dry them thoroughly to ward off any lurking infections.

2. Enjoy a good soak. Avoid using hot water, which actually dries out your skin. The easiest way to accomplish a thorough soak is to fill a bowl with warm water and place your feet in it for 10 to 20 minutes. Although it's fine to add oils, warm water by itself is enough to soften and smooth your skin.

3. Moisturize. Once you've soaked your feet or had a shower or bath, be sure to massage some lotion onto your feet and toes. For unusually dry skin, slip on a pair of socks to help your skin absorb the moisture.

4. Target problem areas. This is the time to put an emery board or a pumice stone to work. The best time is right after a good soak. You should gradually file away any rough patches, dead skin or corns. Your feet will feel pampered and will look great in summer shoes.

5. Trim your nails. Always use a stainless-steel cutter. Be sure to clip the nail straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Once trimmed, the end of each nail should be shorter than the tip of the toe. You can use an emery board if necessary to shape the corners.

6. Change socks and hose daily. Wear clean socks. Change any hosiery every day. This is especially important after a trip to the gym.­

7. Make sure shoes fit: Extra sweat can result in skin and nail problems if your shoes are too tight. Many people fine they need a half size larger in warmer weather than in the winter or even a looser shoe in the afternoon. If one foot is a slightly larger size than the other, buy the bigger size.

8. Use shower shoes: Avoid going barefoot in damp public sites such as gyms and pool locker rooms. They're jam-packed with germs. Since diabetics have special foot concerns, if you have diabetes, be sure to check with your doctor regarding any special precautions you need to take to get your feet ready for summer.­

Produced by Associated Content

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