Common Foot Problems in Summer

Summer is a time for vacations, walks, active leisure, and open shoes. People start moving more, walking barefoot along the beach, and wearing sandals and flip-flops. From an aesthetic and emotional point of view, this is all good, but our feet face a number of problems during this period that can affect both the appearance of the feet and our general well-being. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is essential to understand what difficulties await us in the summer. In this article, we have gathered the most common foot problems in the hot season and recommended how to avoid them.

1. Increased sweating and unpleasant odor

One of the most common summer problems is hyperhidrosis of the feet – excessive sweating. In hot weather, the sebaceous and sweat glands work more actively, and if the shoes are poorly ventilated or made of synthetic materials, ideal conditions are created for the spread of bacteria. It is the bacteria, not the sweat itself, that cause the unpleasant odor.

Solution:

• Choose shoes made of natural materials: leather, textiles

• Don't wear the same pair of sandals two days in a row - let them dry

• Use foot antiperspirants or talcum powder

• Wash your feet morning and evening, and dry thoroughly between your toes

2. Athlete's foot and nail fungus (mycosis)

Summer is the ideal season for the spread of fungi since high humidity, heat, public swimming pools, beaches, and showers are an excellent breeding ground for them. Small cracks in the skin can lead to unnoticed infections.

The main symptoms of a fungus are:

• Peeling and cracks between the fingers

• Itching

• Change in the color and structure of the nails

Solution:

• Always wear your own flip-flops in public places

• Use antifungal creams at the first sign

• Keep your feet dry

• Do not wear wet socks or shoes

3. Corns and calluses

Open or new shoes, especially those with thin soles or the wrong size, can cause friction on the skin, causing corns. Constant pressure on the same areas of the foot causes calluses – thick, hard areas of skin.

Solution:

• Choose comfortable shoes according to your size

• Use silicone pads and patches for calluses

• Moisturize your feet daily with a cream containing urea or glycerin

• Take warm foot baths with sea salt and use pumice stones

4. Cracked heels

Cracked heels are one of the most common aesthetic and painful problems in the summer. Walking barefoot, dry air, open shoes, and a lack of moisture make the skin on the heels vulnerable. First, small dry patches appear, later cracks that become inflamed and painful when walking.

Solution:

• Use moisturizing and healing heel creams daily

• Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces for long periods

• Make nourishing masks and compresses for your feet

• Don't cut rough skin with razors– use pumice or soft files

5. Burns from hot sand and asphalt

In the heat of summer holidays, many people forget that sand and asphalt can become extremely hot in the sun. The result is burns on the feet, especially in children or people who like to walk barefoot.

Solution:

• Don’t walk barefoot on hot surfaces

• Wear beach shoes, even for short walks

• At the first signs of a burn (redness, pain), apply a cold compress and lubricate the skin with panthenol

6. Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails can be caused by tight or uncomfortable shoes, improper pedicure, or increased pressure on the toes. This causes pain, inflammation, and sometimes suppuration

Solution:

• Cut your nails in a straight line without rounding the edges

• Avoid tight shoes and heels

• Treat the skin around your nails with an antiseptic

If you notice the signs of inflammation, you can search for "foot doctor near me" for proper ingrown toenail treatment.

7. Allergic reactions to insect bites and plants

In the summer, we spend more time outdoors, where mosquitoes and ants are active, and contact with some plants can cause skin irritation on the legs.

Solution:

• Use repellents

• Wear shoes when walking in the forest or in the field

• Treat bites with antiseptics and antihistamine ointments

The bottom line

The feet are our foundation and need special attention and care, especially in the summer. Simple daily hygiene, choosing the proper footwear, and paying attention to the body's signals will help avoid most seasonal problems. Summer should bring joy, not discomfort. Take care of your feet, and they will thank you with ease, beauty, and confidence with every step.