As the weather changes and it heats up, we need to start caring for our feet differently. Summer comes along and we tend to ditch the closed in shoes and start wearing open sandals, thongs, walk barefoot, spend time in the sun, play outdoors and generally expose our feet to a whole lot more fun.

However, having fun in the sun can expose our feet to many different foot issues…

Summer Tip No. 1

Slip, Slop, Slap – the campaign launched in 1981 and is widely credited as playing a key role in the dramatic shift in sun protection attitudes and behaviour over the past two decades.  In 2007, the slogan was updated to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide to reflect the importance of seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses to prevent sun damage. (Cancer Council)

REMEMBER:

Slop on the feet!!! We apply it everywhere else, but we often forget our feet. The skin on our feet and our nails are just as prone to skin cancer as the rest of our body and need to be protected. As feet are something that you can often forget to check, skin cancer can go unnoticed until it is too late.

Summer Tip No. 2

Cracked heels can ruin the summer sandal look!!

Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise……..exposure to the elements dries our heels out.

Try a moisturiser that has the ingredient, urea in it.  Urea is naturally present in healthy skin. It is one of three natural moisturising factors in the outer horny layer of our skin.

Moisturising dry skin reduces water loss from the epidermis (upper layer of skin) resulting in softer and more supple skin.

In summer it is hard to wear socks and shoes, but it can really help prevent cracking as they assist with moisture. Having a pair that you wear around the house while you are in the aircon may make a difference!

Summer Tip No. 3

Foot pains…….Winter footwear v’s Summer footwear

A rapid switch from good supportive shoes to flat sandals can be a shock to our feet. Switching to a pair of sandals that have good arch support and fastening, or at the minimum, a good pair of thongs such as Archies (as the name suggests - thongs with an arch!), can save your feet a whole lot of pain.

Avoid barefoot walking on hard sand or concrete. Hard sand can be just as hard as concrete and put a lot of stress on our feet and legs, causing foot pain.

If you are going on a walk, make sure to put a good pair of runners to help support your feet.

If all else fails and you experience heel pain, arch pain, achilles pain, big toe joint pain, in fact, any foot pain make an appointment by phone or online so we can get you back on your feet and out doing all of the things you want to in the summer sun.

By Merrilee McClelland - Podiatrist

We have a great range of Archie thongs in all sizes and colours, feel free to pop in and try some on.