Summertime Blues - The Water’s Edge; Appropriate Water Footwear

HDRI photograph of sunset on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summer is almost here. Schools everywhere are letting out and families are trying to figure out the whole vacation thing. Whether you choose inland lakes, beautiful coastal regions, or the azure blue of the Caribbean, the allure of the water is sure to play a part in your vacation. However, remember that there is no time to relax your foot care routine while on vacation. Protect your feet because not only are injuries and ailments inconvenient to your vacation plans, but they can also be painful and cause you to miss out on a lot of the action. Even what seems harmless, like an easy stroll on the beach, can hide dangers. Protect your feet with appropriate footwear at all times, even while in the water.

Shoe manufacturers make it so easy now with the quick dry materials, open ventilation and multifunctional water shoes. Just grab a pair and go.
 
Pools

If you are at poolside, not only do these provide hazard protection from deck slippage, but they can protect from hidden dangers in the water.  One such hidden danger is broken glass on the pool bottom or rough tile edges, both capable of cutting your feet. You don’t want to be the one that’s bleeding in the pool. Another danger of public pool areas is athlete’s foot fungus, which loves moist and damp areas. This is the same fungus which can invade your toenails.  So now you’ve progressed from a minor ailment to a major catastrophe, which can become a very lengthy battle and one that is difficult to win.
 
Beaches

If you’re drawn to the beaches, keep water shoes on your feet if you plan on getting wet, or sandals while on the dry sand. Hidden objects lay just below the surface, such as coral, rocks, broken glass, metal and sticks that can cause lacerations and puncture wounds. Openings in the skin then allow bacteria to enter the body.
 
Lakes

If you enjoy inland lakes and waterways, there is appropriate footwear for canoeing, kayaking, walking shorelines and fording streams.

Water shoes are a critical element in swimming and fitness. They are the first line of defense that protects your feet from injuries and bacteria.  If the unthinkable happens and you are injured, contact Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668. Her expert healing hands can get you right back to having fun, just like life was meant to be.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC Podiatrist Meriden CT http://www.centralctfootcare.com Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

References:

http://gmagoldie.hubpages.com/hub/002-EZ-Swimmer-Swim-Shoes-Are-Essential

Related articles

• Help Me Find a Pair of Water Shoes!

  ---

• Lovin' Summer - Lovin' your Feet

  ---

• Toes in the water? Chair in the sand? Take care of your feet!

  ---

Flaking, Red Skin on My Feet!

Although it is winter out, you can still have flaking, itchy, red skin on your feet. This condition is more commonly known as Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, and while this condition is more prevalent in the warm months, you can get Athlete's foot in the cold winter months. Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection. Our feet typically tend to get fungal infections because fungus breeds in dark, moist, warm environments and our shoes are a perfect place for it to grow. Fungus also loves to grow in places like swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. In fact, athletes are so prone to Athlete's foot that was partly how it got its name! Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection of the skin and can often go hand-in-hand with fungal toenails.

Besides the itchy, scaly, dry skin, Athlete's foot loves the feet of those who sweat a lot. This condition tends to occur on the bottoms of our feet and in between the toes. Those with acute problems may experience blisters or fissures. If the blisters break the fungus is likely to spread to other parts of the foot, as fungus is highly contagious. The burning and itching that goes with blisters may be relieved by draining the blisters or applying cool water compresses. Prolonged Athlete's foot infections may cause secondary bacterial infections.

Podiatrists diagnose Athlete's foot from a clinical examination. Doctors looking for a more definitive diagnosis may scrape the affected area and culture the fungus, which can take up to three weeks for it to grow. Culturing is not always the best method of determining if Athlete's foot is present as it can produce a false negative result because the scraping was not sufficient.

Your podiatrist will seek to control the fungal infection and prevent any secondary infection from occurring. Oral antibiotics will be prescribed, as well as soaking the feet in Epsom salts and warm water, and thoroughly drying the feet, especially between the toes.  In the warmer months, wearing sandals to reduce moisture accumulation will be helpful. If you have feet that sweat a lot, you should change your socks often throughout the day. There are also antifungal powders, sprays, and/or creams that may be helpful in your particular case.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT

http://www.centralctfootcare.com