Cracked heels

Dry skin and cracked heels are all too common during the summer months. These are normally caused by wearing open-backed shoes and sandals which allow the fat pad under the heel to expand sideways, increasing the likelihood of the skin to crack.

Prevent cracked heels:

Keep your feet well moisturised by applying a moisturiser twice a day. Use an abrasive stone such as a pumice stone or a none-metal footfile when in the shower or taking a bath to exfoliate the build up of skin which can occur. Change the type of footwear you wear.

Constantly wearing flip-flops or flimsy sandals increases your liklihood of unsightly and sometimes painful cracked heels.

If cracked heels become a serious problem, they can be “strapped” by a chiropodist or podiatrist. This holds the cracks together to help them to heal.

Blister agony

New sandals can lead to blisters, caused by skin rubbing against a rough surface such as a sock, flip-flop thong or the seam of a shoe. The rubbing creates heat which can lead to blisters developing.

Any kind of moisture is bad news for blisters. Sweaty feet or wet shoes soften the skin and make them more prone to blistering.

To prevent blisters in hot weather:

Keep feet dry at all times. If you have sweaty socks, change them.

If buying new summer sandals or shoes, make sure they fit properly. Shoes which are too tight or too loose will create pressure points and lead to rubbing.

Put your feet up! Your feet need a rest. Over-working feet increases heat and moisture in footwear and increases the liklihood of blisters.

Blisters should be left to dry out on their own, so don’t try to burst them. However if they do burst, apply a clean dressing.