Put your best foot forward

William P. Huntington, MD

Foot and Ankle Surgery

As the weather gets warmer, flip flops become a popular choice of footwear, especially around the pool or beach. It is important to protect your feet, and not wearing the proper footwear can lead to unintentional injury. These injuries include burns and blisters that can eventually turn into larger and more complicated wounds. William P. Huntington, MD, shared these tips to help you protect your feet.

For summer, there are many shoe options that can be both comfortable and fashionable, but making the right choice is crucial. 

• For women, avoid buying narrow shoes that are tight and pointy.
• Choosing a low heel height will help to reduce pressure on the front of your feet.
• Many flip flops lack necessary arch support, which can lead to foot fatigue and pain.
• Choose flip flops with deeper insoles, heel cups and proper straps to minimize pain and injury.

Warm weather also brings more opportunities to exercise. Resuming physical activity during the summer can be enough to cause foot and ankle injuries. Stretching your entire body, including your feet and calves is critical. When resuming exercise, make sure to start off slowly and give your body rest to help minimize injury. 

If you are diabetic or suffer from poor circulation, you need to pay close attention to protecting your feet and ankles during the summertime. Dr. Huntington suggested doing daily foot and skin checks to monitor for any suspicious changes. Moisturizing your feet is the key to preventing infections. Having dry and cracked skin can allow harmful bacteria to enter. Sleeping with socks on at night can help to lock in moisture and maintain healthy skin.

Remember to enjoy your time outdoors, but make smart choices about the type of footwear you choose and always protect your feet from potential harm and injury.