Our Geelong podiatrists give their tips for getting your feet summer ready

Kick off the comfy ugg boots and get your feet ready for summer

Our feet can get neglected wearing closed in shoes and boots all winter. With hard callouses, dry heels and thick nails your feet may be desperate for some TLC.

Hard, cracked skin around the heels is very common in summer, often caused by open-backed sandals and thongs rubbing around the edge of the heel. Daily application of a rich moisturizing cream to the heels will help soften the skin and prevent dryness and crack. Make an appointment with a podiatrist to have the callouses removed if they are thick and causing pain.

Don’t be tempted to wear thongs, scuffs or flimsy sandals all through the summer. They don’t provide support for your feet and can give you arch and heel pain if you wear them for too long.

Give your toenails a break from nail polish. Nails need to breathe from time to time, so have a break from nail polish about once a month for a few days to a week. This can help prevent discoloration, which can be mistaken for a fungal infection.

Most importantly, during summer remember to put sun cream on the tops and soles of your feet. Not only does the skin on your feet and toes need protection, but nails are made of protein and are therefore as vulnerable to sun damage as your skin. You can get a melanoma on your feet.

Please contact us for a foot check-up or more information about foot care.