“You know you’re old when someone compliments you on your alligator shoes, and you’re barefoot.”
~Phyllis Diller
Running around barefoot isn’t just for kids. Adults love it too, especially during the summer when the beach beckons and when the first soft blades of grass emerge in the spring. If you are experiencing foot pain, you may expect that a barefoot summer isn’t in the cards for you. While it is true that the best way to protect your feet is to wear shoes, there are some things you can do if you want to have at least a few barefoot strolls.
- Visit a foot and ankle clinic first. If foot pain causes you to avoid going barefoot, you should start by finding out if you can get relief from your pain. Since there are many causes for pain, it may be something simpler than you fear.
- Know where and where not to go barefoot. Some places are far more hazardous to walk barefoot than others. Your goal is to avoid cuts and abrasions, but if you do end up with a puncture wound, get it seen within 24 hours to be on the safe side.
- Inspect your feet after going barefoot. The sooner you spot a problem on your feet, the better. Check for more than just injuries as ingrown toenails, moles, warts, calluses, and other conditions could have you dealing with foot pain before long.
- Sunny day? Use sunscreen on your feet. Sunburned feet can be painful and can lead to skin cancer. Protect the tops with sunscreen if just walking around and the bottoms, too if you’ll be laying out on your stomach or in another position where the bottoms would be exposed.
- Watch where you are walking. It might surprise you how many foot injuries happen by just not paying attention and stepping on anything from fireworks to stray campfire coals.
- Moisturize your feet. Phyllis Diller may have been joking about alligator-looking feet, but if your feet are dry and cracked, they will be both unappealing and potentially painful, causing far more than crocodile tears.
If you would like more summer footcare tips or wonder about foot pain causes you can avoid, don’t hesitate to contact us at Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic. We are happy to advise you about how to keep your feet safe throughout the year, even beyond barefoot season. Foot pain is never normal, so don’t ignore your symptoms!