Over the past few months, our feet may have experienced more walking, different footwear, trips abroad, days spent barefoot and plenty of time in sandals and flip-flops. While summer can be great for getting outdoors and staying active, all of this can sometimes take its toll on our feet.
Here are some of the common summer foot problems we saw in South Dublin Podiatry and why it’s worth dealing with them now rather than carrying them into autumn.
1. Dry and Cracked Heels
Open-backed sandals and flip-flops were a summer favourite, but leaving the heels exposed could contribute to dry, hard skin.
Over time, this could lead to cracks developing around the heel, particularly if the skin became very dry or thickened.
If your heels are still dry, rough or cracked after the summer, now is a good time to give them some attention. Regular moisturising can help, while more stubborn areas of hard skin may benefit from professional treatment.
2. Blisters and Footwear Problems
Summer often meant wearing footwear that we didn’t regularly wear during the rest of the year. New sandals, holiday shoes and increased time spent walking could all have resulted in rubbing and blisters.
A small blister might have seemed like a minor inconvenience at the time, but repeated rubbing could have led to ongoing irritation, thickened skin or painful areas of hard skin.
If you found yourself constantly reaching for plasters over the summer because of the same rubbing spot, it could be worth looking at the cause rather than simply treating the symptom.
3. The Flip-Flop Effect
Flip-flops were undoubtedly one of the most popular summer footwear choices, particularly for holidays, the beach and trips to the pool.
However, they weren’t designed for long-distance walking. Many offered very little cushioning or support, and the need to grip the footwear with your toes could place additional strain on the feet.
If you experienced new heel, arch or forefoot pain after spending more time in sandals or flip-flops, don’t assume it will automatically disappear now that summer is ending.
4. Sweaty Feet and Fungal Problems
Warmer temperatures meant more sweating, and wearing closed shoes in hot weather could create a warm, damp environment around the feet.
This could increase the risk of problems such as athlete’s foot and contribute to skin irritation.
Summer also meant more time around swimming pools, changing rooms and communal showers, where fungal infections and verrucas could be picked up.
If you noticed persistent itching, peeling skin, changes to your toenails or a new verruca over the summer, autumn is a good time to have it assessed.
5. Barefoot Walking
Many of us spent more time barefoot during the summer â whether it was around the pool, on the beach, in the garden or simply at home.
While there were plenty of benefits to giving your feet a break from shoes, going barefoot also left them more exposed to cuts, splinters, burns and other injuries.
Some minor injuries may have healed without much thought, but if you still have a wound, sore area or unexplained change to your foot, it’s worth getting it checked rather than allowing it to linger.
6. Increased Activity and Foot Pain
For many people, summer meant being more active. Holidays involved walking for hours, weekends included long hikes or festivals, and some people used the better weather as motivation to start running or exercising more regularly.
A sudden increase in activity could have placed extra stress on the feet and lower limbs, particularly if the body hadn’t had time to adapt.
If you developed heel pain, arch pain, Achilles pain or discomfort in the forefoot over the summer and it hasn’t settled, now is a good time to get it assessed.
Don’t Take Summer Foot Problems Into Autumn
As we transition into autumn, it’s easy to simply put our summer footwear away and forget about any foot problems that appeared over the last few months.
But persistent pain, cracked skin, recurring blisters or changes to the skin or toenails shouldn’t necessarily be ignored. Addressing these problems now could help prevent them from becoming more troublesome as we return to closed footwear, busier routines and increased activity.
Summer may be coming to an end, but your feet still deserve some attention.
If you’ve noticed a foot problem over the past few months that hasn’t gone away, our podiatry team can assess it and help you understand what’s causing it and what can be done to treat it.
After all, taking care of your feet now means you’ll be better prepared for everything autumn has in store.