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Eager to enjoy the sand, surf and sun during your summer vacation this year? Before you trade your tennis shoes for flip-flops or go barefoot on the beach, you need to be sure that you are taking steps to protect your feet from summer damage. Summer can be hard on your feet. The combination of heat, sun, and surf, can take a toll on your feet, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beach. With summer just beginning, you are likely to get out your favorite flip-flops and sandals to cool down. Proper foot care is very important when it comes to healthy feet in the summer, beginning with proper foot wear. Beware of Flip-Flops With summer right around the corner, and the weather forecast calling for some fun in the sun, many people will slip into flip flops as an easy, cool alternative to fully enclosed shoes. During the hot summer months flip flops are easy to slip on and off, but they are not always the best choice for healthy, glowing feet. Some flip flops can be cushioned, which lead people to believe that they are good for your feet, but most offer little to no arch support. Flip flops can also be very flimsy, which caused them to breakdown quickly. Shoes that do not offer proper arch support can lead to biomechanical abnormalities starting when the heel strikes the grown. This, in turn, can lead to pain felt in the joints of your foot and ankle, as well as in the knees, hips, lower back, shoulders and neck. If you are to wear flip flops, wear them with caution. It is important to assess how long you can wear flip flops on an individual basis and be aware of the effects they can have on your body. An additional way to keep your feet healthy this summer is to find a shoe that offers some type of air flow and adequate support to the inside arch of the foot. These types of sandals and flip flops are often more expensive, but if you plan on wearing them for the majority of your day and summer, the investment is well worth the wear and tear it will save your body. In the end, proper flip flop choices will lead to a healthier, happier, and less painful body, all the way from your feet to your neck. Wear the Right Shoes for Your Summer Activity When choosing proper footwear for summer, it is important to follow these guidelines to healthy feet this summer:
* Shoes should be lightweight and ventilated.
* Have an extra pair of shoes and alternate between them daily so that each pair has a chance to dry out completely.
* Wear socks that are made of an acrylic fiber, not cotton. Acrylic draws moisture away from the feet
* Change your socks at least once a day. During the summer months, people also run the risk of damaging their feet from sunburns, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. The best method of prevention is to apply sunscreen on your feet whenever going out or hitting the beach, as well as wearing proper shoes as much as possible. If you feel pain in your foot or ankle visit your podiatrist in Scottsdale for further diagnosis and treatment. Prevent painful foot conditions and injuries by wearing appropriate footwear in order to keep your feet happy on your summer vacations, or at home this summer.
Dr. Mark Forman is an experienced board certified foot doctor in Scottsdale, offering a wide array of foot and ankle care in North and South Scottsdale, AZ. This highly qualified Scottsdale podiatrist provides treatment for heel pain, diabetic foot care and orthotics in Scottsdale among many other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Forman is an avid runner and specializes in sports athletes.
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