Summer is a wonderful time of sunshine, outdoor activities, and great food! However here are some things to take into consideration to prevent injuries and painful consequences for the feet!
1. Athletic shoes: Be sure to measure your feet every few years as they continue to get longer and small shoes lead to painful calluses, and ingrowns. A good rule of thumb is to wear ½ size bigger than your feet
2. Sandals: Sandals should be sturdy with arch support if possible, but are discouraged if you have neuropathy as it puts your skin at risk of injury and ulceration.
3. Lotion: Apply lotion daily to feet, exposure to heat and air with sandals can lead to very dry skin that can crack, leading to infections and ulcerations.
4. Stretching: Stretch every day, especially before athletic activity. This will help you avoid tendon injuries and other common “weekend warrior” issues.
5. Exercise: Increase your activity level slowly wearing sturdy shoes to avoid stress fractures – especially if osteopenia or osteoporosis is an issue.
6. Salon Safety: Go ahead and enjoy those pedicures, but do not let them clip out a potential ingrown, make an appointment to have that evaluated by your podiatrist.
