Imagine you’re enjoying a sunny day at the beach, hiking a trail or chasing your kids around the park. Suddenly, you notice a burning itch between your toes, a painful blister or sunburn on your feet — turning summer fun into discomfort.
Summer brings unique challenges for foot health. Increased heat, humidity and outdoor activities can lead to common problems like athlete’s foot, blisters and sunburn. Knowing how to prevent and treat these issues helps you stay active and pain-free all season.
1. Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on your feet, especially between the toes. It is contagious and the infection can recur if careful steps aren’t taken to prevent athlete’s foot.
Causes and Risk Factors
Being aware of the factors that cause or contribute to athlete’s foot can help you treat the infection and avoid it coming back. Common causes include:
- Putting on shoes without thoroughly drying your feet.
- Walking barefoot in public places like pools, locker rooms or showers where the fungus may be present.
- Wearing tight, non-breathable shoes, which creates an ideal environment for the fungus to grow.
Symptoms
Look out for these common symptoms of athlete’s foot:
- Red, cracked, flaking or peeling skin
- Itching, burning or stinging between the toes
- Blisters or ulcers that may ooze or get crusty
How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot in Summer
Ways to avoid this common summer foot problem are:
- Dry feet thoroughly after bathing or swimming, especially between your toes.
- Wear appropriate summer footwear — breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks.
- Change socks daily and avoid sharing towels or shoes.
- Use shower shoes or flip-flops in public areas to avoid getting infected.
Treatment Options
Athlete’s foot usually responds well to treatment. Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays or powders minimize any itch or discomfort and will kill off the infection. Prescription medications like miconazole, clotrimazole or terbinafine work better for persistent or severe cases. Continue using the medication for a week or two after the infection has cleared to avoid it returning.
Keep your feet clean and dry during treatment and follow the advice for preventing athlete’s foot in summer. If symptoms haven’t cleared up or worsen, seek the advice of a doctor who specializes in treating athlete’s foot.
2. Blisters
Blisters are small, fluid-filled bubbles that form on the skin due to friction, irritation or an allergic reaction. By forming a cushion, the body protects the delicate underlying tissue from further damage.
Causes
Blisters can form for many reasons. The most common causes of summer blisters are:
- Rubbing from ill-fitting shoes or sandals.
- Excessive sweating, especially during physical activity.
- Sudden increase in activity or wearing new or ill-fitting shoes.
- An allergic reaction to poison ivy, for example.
Symptoms
Being aware of the common telltale signs of blisters can help you take action immediately to prevent them from worsening:
- Discomfort when walking or wearing inappropriate summer footwear.
- A tender or painful area on the skin that may be raised and inflamed.
- A bubble forms with clear fluid inside.
Best Treatment for Summer Blisters
Depending on their severity, blisters may take time to heal. Follow these steps for the best chance at successful treatment:
- Never break the skin of a blister. Leave small, unbroken blisters intact to prevent infection.
- For large or painful blisters, a healthcare professional may sterilize a needle, drain the fluid gently and cover the blister with a clean bandage.
- Use blister pads to protect the area or cut the padding into a doughnut shape, which will reduce pressure on the painful area.
- Keep the area clean and dry and watch for signs of infection, including heat, swelling and redness or increased pain and pus formation.
- If you resume or take up running in the warmer months, make sure you know the vital running tips and tricks for keeping your feet healthy through summer.
Prevention Tips
Blisters can be prevented in summer by getting into the habit of:
- Wearing properly fitting, broken-in shoes that are neither too big or small.
- Check your shoes for any signs of wear, like sharp bits or abraded areas that may chafe.
- Use moisture-wicking socks to reduce sweat and keep the skin dry.
- Apply petroleum jelly or blister prevention products to high-friction areas.
3. Sunburn on Feet
Feet are often overlooked when applying sunscreen, especially when wearing sandals or going barefoot. The tops and soles can burn quickly in direct sunlight or on hot surfaces.
Symptoms of Sunburn
Sunburn is a painful skin condition caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. You don’t have to spend the day at the beach to get sunburn. It can happen while gardening, walking your dog or taking a lunch break outside. With sunburn, your skin may feel hot to the touch and be red, tender and swollen. In severe cases, your skin may blister, and it’s common for skin to peel or flake as it heals.
Treatment
Treatment for sunburn depends on its severity. First- and second-degree burns can be treated at home. When the outer layer of the skin is damaged, this is a first-degree sunburn and will usually heal within a week. A second-degree sunburn is damage to the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, and causes blisters. It can take weeks to heal and might need medical intervention. The best ways to treat sunburn are:
- Apply a cool, not frozen, compress to soothe the skin.
- Use aloe vera gel or moisturizing lotion to reduce discomfort.
- Take OTC pain relievers if needed.
How to Protect Feet From Sunburn
Repeated sunburn can have a long-term effect on your skin and health. Prevention is crucial:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all areas of the feet, including between your toes. Make sure the sunscreen is sweat- and water-resistant.
- Apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating. Water and sand reflect the sun’s rays, so apply more frequently when at the lake or beach.
- Stay in the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — the hottest time of day.
- Wear protective footwear like water shoes or sandals when outdoors.
Prevent Common Summer Foot Problems
With less protection and increased activity, our feet are more vulnerable to common foot problems in summer. To make the most of the season, prepare your feet for summer by knowing the answer to some common questions.
- Why do my feet sweat so much in summer? Heat and humidity will cause your feet to sweat more in summer. Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself. The feet have a high concentration of sweat glands, which help regulate the body’s temperature when exposed to warm temperatures.
- What are the best shoes for summer foot health? Choose shoes that provide support and fit well to prevent blisters, injuries and fungal infections. Open-toed sandals can help reduce sweat and keep feet cool, but ensure they offer enough support and protection. Choose lightweight, breathable shoes that allow air circulation.
- How can I keep my feet healthy through summer? Drink enough water each day to stay well hydrated. Keep feet clean and dry, and consider using an antifungal powder or spray if you intend to use public showers or bathrooms. Moisturize your feet to prevent dry, cracked skin and trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
When to Get Help From a Friendly Foot Doctor
Athlete’s foot, blisters and sunburn are among the most common summer foot problems, but most are preventable with good habits and proper care. If you experience severe pain, persistent symptoms, signs of infection or have underlying health conditions like diabetes, consult a foot and ankle specialist.
Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates offers same-day and next-day appointments, so you can get expert care and put your best foot forward all summer long. Contact us today at 360-754-3338 to schedule an appointment.
