Sunny days, salty air, beach days and barbecues—what’s not to love about summer? Well, not to be a downer, but the havoc it can wreak on your feet for one. As the weather heats up and we spend more time outdoors, there’s a whole host of problems just waiting to dampen the fun. That’s why we rounded up the most common culprits, so you can be prepared and won’t let this season be the reason for any annoying issues.
Problem: Sunburn
The most obvious hazard of spending time out in the sun is a painful and potentially dangerous sunburn. While you might slather your face and body in SPF, it’s easy to forget your feet.¹ And anyone who has experienced sunburned soles knows that they’re no joke.
Solution: Make it a point to regularly reapply waterproof sunscreen to your feet, including the soles. If it’s already too late, treat the burn with cold compresses and aloe vera cream for instant relief.
Problem: Swelling
Higher temperatures, increased activity and humid climates make foot swelling a very real summertime issue. The last thing you want is to look and feel like you have giant uncomfortable clown feet during a day by the pool.
Solution: To stop swelling before it occurs, limit your intake of salty foods, increase your water intake and up your exercise to boost blood flow. If you find your feet swelling despite these precautions, a cold foot soak and placing your feet on an incline at the end of the day should help keep things under control.
Problem: Dry skin & cracked heels
Sweating depletes the skin of moisture incredibly fast. Add in the fact that your feet are more exposed to the elements during the summer months and it’s a recipe for dry, flakey skin and cracked heels.²
Solution: Exfoliating and moisturizing are your friends. For an easy summer routine that guards against dryness, exfoliate with Pure Grit™ and then intensely hydrate with High Dive™. If you need an extra boost of moisture at the end of the day, slip Sleep On It™ on overnight to help your feet recover while you snooze. If your heels are very cracked, The Gratest™ foot rasp can provide the deeper exfoliation you need.
Problem: Sweat & Odor
Sweaty, stinky feet during the summer aren’t exactly a secret, especially if you’re active during the warmer months. Besides being uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing, they can actually make your feet more prone to infection as well.
Solution: Our So Fresh So Clean set is all you need to keep sweat and odor at bay. A swipe with Clean Slate™ gives feet an instant deep clean with an infusion of soothing essential oils, anti-inflammatory flower, fruit and root extracts, and deep moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil. A few spritzes of Twinkle Toes™ instantly eliminates 99.8% of odor-causing bacteria for feet that smell incredibly fresh all day long.
Problem: Germs & Infection
Walking around barefoot, especially in public places like pools or locker rooms can make your feet a breeding ground for infections like Athlete’s Foot.³
Solution: The answer for this one is simple: wear shoes or flip flops whenever you can, especially if you’re in public environments. If an infection does occur, get it checked out by a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Problem: Foot Pain
Flip-flops and other lightweight shoes lack sufficient support to be worn long-term and can make foot muscles work extra hard. The result is soreness and pain that can definitely cramp your summer plans.
Solution: Look for sandals or flip-flops with ample foot support. If your feet are already feeling painful, try Sigh Of Relief™ warming pain relief cream to soothe away aches and pains with a powerful, proprietary formulation.
Problem: Blisters
Sweating, swelling, sunburn and dryness can all trigger another problem: painful and unattractive blisters. It also doesn’t help that sandals and flip-flops rub against our skin thousands of times a day, which, in itself, can cause blisters.
Solution: A couple of sprays of PreHeels+® is all you need to guard against blisters and irritation. Our fan-favorite spray forms an invisible barrier on the skin that blocks friction on the skin where shoes might rub. Plus, it’s not going to ruin your summer look like an ugly, annoying bandage.
Get everything you need for your summer survival kit now at Barefoot Scientist. Then make the most of the season!