YOUR HEALTH
SUMMER HEAT , SUMMER FEET
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Common summer foot issues and how to avoid them
By Ida Brown Timeless Meridian Editor
Summer has arrived and the heat that comes with it often leads to less coverage of the body as well as the feet , which receive more exposure through sandals , open-toe shoes — or no shoes at all .
According to Dr . Scott Hanegan , a doctor of podiatric medicine with Anderson Hospital ’ s Internal Medicine , a variety of foot issues can result with summer heat — problems that can cause pain and discomfort . Often taken for granted , the feet can be a predictor of a number of health issues .
“ We can see a lot of circulatory issues in the lower extremities that will manifest to changes in the feet as far as hair growth , skin texture and turgor ( elasticity ) in the feet themselves ,” said Hanegan who has practiced podiatry for 22 years . “ Sometimes if there are cardiac issues , you will start see swelling in the lower extremities . And changes in the nails , the skin and loss of feeling and circulation to the lower extremities can be predictors of diabetes .”
Health issues or not , foot problems can occur as temperatures rise , including swelling , blisters , fungus and other foot concerns . Hanegan provided the following tips to keep your summer feet healthy — and happy .
• Exercise caution when walking barefoot on concrete , asphalt , pool decks and even sand . Those areas can get extremely hot and lead to burns . Walking barefoot can also increase occurrences of warts and fungus .
• Stay hydrated . Drinking plenty of fluids help minimize swelling of the feet and legs .
• Apply sunscreen to feet . Like the rest of the body , the feet are exposed to sun and can develop skin cancers and burn . Hanegan recommends applying sunscreen on the tops of the feet and fronts of the ankle as often as applied to other parts of the body .
• Wear flip flops or other footwear when not in the water . Whether you ’ re going to the beach or pool , in the locker room at the gym or just running around in the hotel , Hanegan said it is important to wear some type of footwear to decrease injuries and lessen the chances of getting athlete ’ s foot , nail fungus or other issues .
• Wear shoes that fit properly and are activity appropriate . While flip-flops and sandals are the most common summer footwear , Hanegan said they should not be the only things you wear on your feet .
“ If you ’ re wearing flip-flops and sandals all summer , all the time and you ’ re not used to it , you will increase your chances of having injuries ,” Hanegan said . “ This include plantar fasciitis ( inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes ), overuse injuries such as stress fractures if you do a lot of extra walking in flip-flops .
“ If you ’ re going to take a long walk along the beach , don ’ t wear flip-flops , wear athletic shoes . Or , if you ’ re going to start exercise outdoors because it ’ s nice weather , make sure you have proper shoe gear — shoes that are not too old and that fit .”
• Pack an extra pair of shoes — or two . Any shoes that get wet should be dried out before worn . Moist , dark areas are good places for fungus to breed , and wet shoes increases the chance to develop blisters from the friction , Hanegan said .
• Moisturize feet and legs regularly . When wearing flip-flops and sandals , the skin ’ s moisture decreases due to air exposure . This often results in cracked , hardened skin around the heels of the feet
• Have injuries checked by a medical professional . Don ’ t wait to have it looked at , especially if you ’ re diabetic . The sooner you have an injury checked out , the better .
Foot problems are to be expected during summer ’ s extreme heat . By following these tips , you don ’ t have to let that ruin your fun in the sun . T
30 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN