Treat Your Feet Right This Summer!

Summer probably has you biking around the city in flip-flops enjoying the sunshine while trying to keep your feet cool. However convenient they may be, these flimsy wads of rubber may not be the smartest option for your foot health. Here to explain more is Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) Family Medicine Physician Dr. Joe Donroe.

In summer, we often go barefoot or wear open sandals after many months of keeping our feet covered in socks and shoes. What issues do we need to watch out for?

Many people look forward to putting away their boots and changing into their flip-flops or sandals. They are comfortable, easy to put on and take off, and, most importantly, they symbolize the end of the cold weather. There are some health issues related to wearing flip-flops and sandals to be aware of, however.

This type of footwear offers very little support for the foot and ankle, and thus is not ideal for people with structural foot problems, foot and ankle pain, knee and hip problems, or even lower back pain. Some people’s feet may not adjust quickly after a long period of wearing very supportive winter footwear, and flip flops or open sandals can lead to foot pain and blisters if worn too frequently. 

Additionally, open footwear offers very little protection from the environment, leaving feet vulnerable to superficial injuries and exposed to the many health hazards found at ground level (think about the last time you were in a public bathroom!). These can be particularly important considerations for people with open sores on their feet or people who are prone to infection and poor wound healing, such as those with diabetes.

How do feet influence the rest of our health and wellbeing?

Our feet are very important to our health and wellbeing. Pain in our feet and toes can influence how active or inactive we are, and how much effort any task that involves walking will require. Our feet support the entirety of our body weight when we are upright, and problems with our feet can lead to or exacerbate other musculoskeletal issues such as knee or back pain. Because they are constantly being “walked on”, sores or wounds on our feet can be difficult to heal and prone to infection.

What is the best way to treat rough, dry skin that can emerge on the heel, particularly in the summer?

Dry skin will naturally emerge with increased use of flip-flops and sandals because of increased exposure to the elements and increased friction between the heel and sole. A good emollient cream or balm can be used at least daily to help prevent this. Once it occurs, however, switching to a closed shoe during the day and using a moisturizing emollient (cream, balm, or ointment) multiple times throughout the day, particularly in the morning before you get going, can be helpful. Soaking the feet in warm water at night will also be beneficial, followed by gentle drying and application of a thick layer of Vaseline. Cover the foot with a sock and allow the Vaseline to soften the skin overnight. Above all, avoid picking at the dry skin, which leads to skin break down, open sores, and risk of infection.

Are there any other foot-related issues that arise in the summer that people should watch out for?

There are some other summer issues to consider when choosing to wear flip-flops or sandals. The exposed areas of the foot are at risk for sunburns and mosquito bites. Be sure to apply sunblock and mosquito repellent to your feet and reapply as often as you would for the rest of the body. Finally, be sure your footwear is appropriate for the activity you intend to do. Flip-flops are great for the beach and pools, but less ideal for hiking, working out in the gym, and sometimes in the workplace.

Many women love shellac pedicures during summer. Does this kind of polish damage nails? If so, how can we guard against it?

Shellac is a long-lasting mix of gel and polish, which can be attractive and add strength to the nail while applied. It requires brief ultraviolet (UV) light exposure during the application process, and removal involves soaking the nails in acetone. Because of the UV light exposure, apply broad-spectrum sunblock at least 20 minutes prior to the manicure to protect your skin. The acetone removal process is more intense than removing regular nail polish and can ultimately cause the nails to become weaker and more brittle. These harms can be minimized by infrequent application of shellac or gel manicures, and allowing the color to grow out rather than soaking in acetone for removal.

Dr. Joe Donroe completed his medical and public health degrees in 2007 from Tufts University School of Medicine in the USA. He continued his residency training at the Yale University School of Medicine (USA) and was board-certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine in 2011. Dr. Donroe further specialized in Addiction Medicine and became board-certified in 2015.

Prior to joining Beijing United Family Hospital, Dr. Donroe was a member of faculty for the Yale Primary Care Residency Program, Co-Director of the Yale Internal Medicine Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum, Director of the Physical Exam Clinical Skills Course for the Yale University School of Medicine, and Director of the St. Raphael Hospital Addiction Medicine Consultation Service.

This interview was conducted by Time Out Beijing.