7 Podiatrist Tips For Summer-Ready Feet

Allowing the feet to breathe with a pair of sandals is a wise decision in the summer months, but support is key, says Dina. “Sandals that have a solid foot bed and support the midfoot with ankle straps and a rubber sole are the gold standard – they will support your feet while you are walking. Avoid wearing sandals that are completely flat with no structure. The danger of wearing sandals with no support is that they put strain on the anatomy of your feet and can affect the body higher up, too. Flat sandals put pressure on the balls of your feet, making them work harder, which can lead to pain. When the midfoot gets little to no support, long-term effects include straining, tearing and conditions such as plantar fasciitis, which is commonly recognised as heel pain.” 

Get into the habit of checking your toenails every week, cutting or filing them as needed, advises Paul. “Always cut your nails straight across and file the corners to shape them. Avoid cutting toenails down to the edges to give them a rounded appearance, as this can lead to ingrown toenails.” Marion Yau, podiatrist at The Harley Medical Foot & Nail Laser Clinic, recommends soaking feet in warm water for ten minutes before trimming your toenails to soften the nails, making them easier to cut. “On a monthly basis, file down hard bits of skin on the foot. Feet that aren’t filed regularly will eventually suffer from a build-up of dead skin, resulting in calluses or cracked and dry areas, usually on the balls of the feet and heel. Although not dangerous, this is unsightly and can be painful if the skin cracks,” Marion says.

You may not associate conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes with your feet, but there’s a close connection, explains Simone. “Type 2 diabetes – which affects one in ten people in the UK over 40 – puts the feet at a high risk of developing ulceration, while excess glucose levels influence the blood supply to the nerves in the feet, which may result in a constant burning sensation in the toes or heels and reduced circulation, leading to cramp. Elevated blood sugar levels also create more fungal spores and toxins that feed off the sugar, causing irritation and itchy skin around the toes and soles of the feet. Athlete’s foot and peeling skin – especially between the toes – is very common among diabetics. If you have diabetes, you should consult your GP if any foot-related problems occur and visit a podiatrist every six months.”

Certain symptoms should never be ignored, says Paul. “Health is wealth. Any condition on your foot you think is unusual or you are worried about, it’s always a sensible idea to get it checked out. Most feet-related problems can be dealt with more efficiently when treated early. If you can’t work it out, get it checked out and put your mind at ease.” When it comes to the symptoms you should never ignore, Dina says this includes anything fungal related like discolouration, flaking of skin and itching between the toes. “Cracks that are becoming painful and corners of nails that are painful should always be checked out, too,” she says.