Tips for caring for your feet in summer

Learn how to care for your feet in summer with practical advice to keep the skin moisturised, manage excessive sweating, reduce the risk of fungal infections and protect the feet from the sun.

In summer, we walk barefoot more often, stop wearing tights and socks, change to sandals and open shoes, sweat more, spend more time in the sun and swim at beaches and pools. All of these changes can affect the skin and nails of the feet, making appropriate care particularly important during the warmer months.

Moisturising to help prevent friction and blisters

Chafing and foot blisters are common in summer. Wearing shoes without socks can increase friction between the skin and the inside of the shoe or sandal. Heat and dry skin may also make the skin more vulnerable to irritation and cracking.

Regular moisturising can help maintain the skin barrier and reduce dryness. A suitable foot cream can be applied in the evening, particularly to dry areas such as the heels and soles.

Applying petrolatum or a suitable anti-chafing lubricant to areas prone to friction may also help prevent blisters during walking or exercise. When wearing closed footwear for sport, walking or hiking, socks should:
fit properly without bunching;
minimise seams in pressure areas;
help manage moisture;
be appropriate for the activity and footwear.
Technical moisture-wicking fabrics can be useful for prolonged exercise. Cotton may be comfortable for everyday wear, but it can retain moisture when heavily saturated with sweat, so it is not necessarily the best option for every sporting activity.

Blisters and abrasions can be painful and may occasionally become infected. Pain can also alter the way a person walks and lead to discomfort elsewhere in the foot or lower limb.

Minor abrasions should be washed gently with soap and water and protected from further friction with an appropriate dressing. Most intact blisters are best left unbroken where possible, as the overlying skin provides natural protection. If a blister is very large, painful or likely to rupture because of continued activity, drainage may occasionally be considered using an appropriate sterile technique while preserving the overlying skin. People with diabetes, impaired circulation or reduced sensation in the feet should seek professional advice rather than treating significant blisters themselves.

Managing excessive sweating in summer

The soles of the feet contain a high concentration of sweat glands. During hot weather, increased sweating can leave the feet damp for prolonged periods and contribute to:
skin maceration;
friction;
unpleasant odour;
irritation;
fungal infection in susceptible individuals.

To help reduce these problems:
wash the feet regularly;
dry them carefully, particularly between the toes;
change damp socks when necessary;
allow footwear to dry fully between uses;
consider an appropriate foot antiperspirant if sweating is troublesome.

Persistent or severe excessive sweating, or plantar hyperhidrosis, can be treated. Depending on the individual case, options may include topical or oral medicines, iontophoresis or botulinum toxin injections. More invasive approaches are reserved for carefully selected cases. Assessment by a dermatologist experienced in treating hyperhidrosis can help determine the most appropriate option.

Preventing fungal infections of the skin and toenails

Fungal infections of the feet are more likely to spread in warm, moist communal environments such as swimming pool areas, public showers and changing rooms.

Prolonged moisture within footwear can also create favourable conditions for fungal growth. Useful preventive measures include:

• wear flip-flops or suitable footwear in communal showers, changing rooms and around swimming pools;
  rinse reusable footwear and allow it to dry thoroughly;
• wash and dry the feet carefully, particularly between the toes;
  do not share towels, footwear or socks;
• change socks and footwear if they become persistently damp;
  allow shoes to dry between uses.

Socks should be breathable and appropriate for the activity. The objective is to minimise prolonged moisture rather than to use one specific fibre in every situation. Fungal infection of the skin, or tinea pedis, may cause itching, scaling, cracking and redness. Fungal infection of the nail, or onychomycosis, may cause thickening, discolouration, brittleness and distortion of the nail plate. These conditions can resemble other skin and nail disorders, so confirming the diagnosis is important before prolonged antifungal treatment is started.

Treatment of fungal nail infections
Treatment of onychomycosis depends on:
the number of nails involved;
the extent of the infection;
the part of the nail affected;
the organism responsible;
the patient’s medical history.
Topical antifungal treatments can be useful in mild or limited disease but generally require prolonged application. Oral antifungal medicines tend to achieve higher cure rates in appropriately selected patients but are not suitable for everyone and may require consideration of potential interactions, contraindications and laboratory monitoring.

Laser and other device-based treatments have also been investigated. However, the evidence supporting laser as a stand-alone treatment for onychomycosis is less robust than that for established antifungal medication, and it should not be presented as universally more effective.

Nail disorders are complex and may significantly affect comfort and function. Persistent changes should therefore be assessed by a dermatologist experienced in nail disorders.

Protect your feet from the sun

Sun protection for the feet is easily overlooked.

As we explained in our article on the most common sun-protection mistakes, areas such as the nose, ears, neck, ankles and tops of the feet are often missed when sunscreen is applied.

When sandals or open footwear are worn, the tops of the feet and ankles can receive substantial ultraviolet exposure. These areas can burn just like other exposed skin.

For this reason:
apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to the tops of the feet and ankles;
use an adequate amount;
reapply it during prolonged exposure, especially after swimming, heavy sweating or towel drying;
remember areas exposed by the straps or shape of your footwear.
The soles of the feet are normally protected from sunlight, but if they are going to be directly exposed — for example, while lying face down in strong sunlight — they should also be protected. Sun protection should form part of broader measures including shade, clothing and avoiding unnecessarily prolonged exposure to intense midday sun.

We invite you to share these tips for caring for your feet in summer with family and friends who may find them useful.