Summer time- beach, swimming pools, outdoor activities, whatever you have planned, don’t forget to look after your feet.

Even if you are just lying still on your back soaking up the rays, your feet are still vulnerable. You can suffer serious sunburn to both the top and soles of your feet.

Wouldn’t you rather spend time collecting sea shells than spending hours at the A&E? No worries. There are ways to prevent these future foot predicaments so you can go back to your sun-kissed dreams and enjoy a liberated foot experience.

  1. If possible, wear shoes at all times, especially when walking on the hot sand or on the pavements. Walking barefoot exposes feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other infections and also increases risk of injury to your feet.
  2. Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections.
  3. Remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, especially the tops and fronts of ankles, and don’t forget to reapply after you’ve been in the water.
  4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking water will not only help with overall health, but will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
  5. Some activities may require different types of footwear to be worn- please don’t wear your jandals or Crocs to go on your hike or long walk. To be safe, always pack an extra pair of sneakers or protective water shoes. If your shoes will be getting wet, they should be dried out completely before your next wearing to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing.
  6. If you injure your foot or ankle while on holiday, seek professional attention as soon as possible. Many people often only contact a Podiatrist when something is broken or sprained, but the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can get ‘back on your feet’.
  7. In case of minor foot problems, be prepared with the following on-the-go foot gear:
    • Jandals—for the pool, spa, hotel room, gyms beach
    • Sterile bandages—for covering minor cuts and scrapes
    • Antibiotic cream—to treat any skin injury
    • Emollient-enriched cream—to hydrate feet
    • Blister pads or moleskin—to protect against blisters
    • Emery board—to smooth rough edges or broken nails
    • Pumice stone—to soften callused skin
    • Sunscreen—to protect against the scorching sun
    • Aloe vera —to relieve sunburns

#stepstride #pickleboots #respod

Call us today to resolve your foot pain

www.respod.co.nz

0800 473 776

(09) 212 9612