The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Footwear
With summer in full swing, you’re probably anxious to lose the shoes and jump into a pair of sandals. But with the change to summer footwear, we often see an increase in injuries to the foot. So today Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is sharing his do’s and don’ts of cooler summer footwear.
Because your gait is altered while wearing sandals, the foot often compensates in other ways, which can cause past foot conditions to return. With that said, today we’re sharing some “Do’s and Don’ts” when it comes to your summer footwear.
Don’t wear new sandals for the first time for more than a few hours. Just like shoes, sandals need to be broken in. Wearing new sandals for more than a few hours greatly increases the risk of blistering and consequent infection.
Don’t wear sandals if you’ll be walking for a long distance. Unfortunately, sandals are poorly supported and often don’t have a heel cup to support the heel. This makes one of the most important parts of the gait cycle, which is the heel strike, unpredictable, and in many cases, painful.
Don’t forget – it’s never too soon to treat an issue with your feet. By the time a problem has escalated, your body has already started a reaction that can be quite painful. It is important to treat the condition before it becomes too large.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your feet. Similar to the rest of your body, your feet are vulnerable to sun damage, even more so because they are typically covered. Any new or changing lesions you see should be thoroughly examined as soon as possible.
Do wear sandals with a good arch. While no sandal provides as much support as a shoe, sandals with a good arch can provide some additional support when standing still.
Do examine your feet after wearing sandals or flip-flops. Even with the sturdiest sandals, the increased airflow allows access for dirt and debris to enter the shoe, and therefore the foot.
It is important to be careful and diligent when wearing your summer footwear. Contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, Maryland at (410) 761-3501 at the first sign of a problem.