Summer Foot Care

This Summer season has been one of our driest periods and it has influenced a lot of events around us, our feet included. Not only do the summer thongs and open shoes cause a loss of skin moisture, recent weather of low humidity exacerbates dryness.

Caring for our feet is important as any foot related ailment can be detrimental to our mobility and impact our daily activities. Excessive callous production or a corn can become so painful that it makes walking difficult. Dry (or anihydrotic) skin can make our feet feel itchy and catch on the sheets as we go to bed at night. Don’t fret, there are a few simple ways to reduce the impact of the dry season.

Water – drinking plenty of fluids helps improve skin integrity and moisture. When the body receives enough water, we become sufficiently hydrated and moisturise our skin from the inside out.

Emollient use – Routinely massaging the feet with emollients will help contribute moisture to the skin directly where it is needed. Sorbelene is sufficient for most people when applied once a day, if not more during the dry weather. However, if you are someone who has a lot of callous you may benefit from a cream that contains a keratolytic that will break down the keratin formed in callous, leading to softer skin.
Podiatrist – Callous can be safely and efficiently debrided by a podiatrist. This will reduce the likelihood of tears or fissures (deep cracks) from forming.

The weather in Western Sydney changes drastically between seasons and therefore requires different approaches to care. If you are unsure on how to manage your feet, book an appointment to consult with a podiatrist.