When the summer months finally arrive in the UK podiatrists tend to see an increased occurrence of certain foot conditions in clinic.
Along with the sizzling barbecues and lazy afternoons people star to wear flip flops.
We find that when people walk in flip-flops, they alter their gait, which can result in problems and pain from the foot up into the hips and lower back.
Thin rubber flip flops which have no arch support at all change your biomechanical gait and you begin to use muscles and tendons in a different way.
This can result in conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints, Metatarsalgia, Morton's Neuroma, Achilles Tendonitis, Calf Strains as well as generalized foot and lower leg pain from overuse.
If you can imagine the toe having to squeeze every step to keep the flip flops in place you can imagine the repetitive over use can do to your feet.
Apart from people wearing flips flops you see many more people go barefoot around the swimming pools, in the garden, on decking etc.
This leads to an increased occurrence of injuries from sharp objects, insect bites, allergic reactions and bacterial & fungal infections.
Summer months also make people more conscious over there appearance as they get out all there summer clothes.
This usually means that many people ratchet up their gym or sporting programs to lose those extra few pounds to get in shape.
Podiatrists often find that more patients will complain of conditions such as plantar facisitis which is also know as heel pain and Achilles tendonitis.
A sudden increase in activity along with inappropriate warm up and warm down routines.
In some cases it is recommended to patients to use the RICE protocol for some injuries (rest, ice, compression, elevation) if this fails to alleviate your symptoms, it is important to contact your physician or podiatrist.
It is also very important to wear the most appropriate shoes for the appropriate sport.
Some patients start running in fashionable trainers and not running shoes.
This can lead to other foot and leg conditions as the patients does not have the right level of support.
During hot weather, many people experience excessive water retention, or put more plainly, swelling.
Because of the effect of gravity, the swelling becomes more pronounced and obvious in the feet, ankles and legs.
Although usually temporary, swollen legs can be an uncomfortable side effect of summer.
In the summer time we also tend to see many more patients walk into clinic complaining of peeking skin.
The most common reason for continuous peeling of the skin is a fungal infection.
During the summer months when the heat and humidity rise, a condition known as Tinea Pedis, or athlete's foot, can appear with little warning.
Foot hygiene and addressing conditions such as sweaty feet are very important during the summer months.
Patients also tend to suffer from heel fissures which is when your feet and especially your heels have dry skin which results in cracks in the skin.
This can occur due to the lack of moisture in the feet and exposing there feet more in the heat.
, This is why it is important to moisturise your feet everyday.
If a patient has flat feet or over pronates which is when the foot rolls in excessively they need to support their feet with suitable orthotics while running.
The Dr Foot Sports Insoles are ideal for runner who have flat feet or over pronate.
Finally as summer months are here and people spend more time walking in thinner shoes we see many more occurrences of corns and calluses.
However instead of people visiting a podiatrist some people do what us podiatrists call "bathroom surgery" and try and pick or cut the callus themselves.
In some cases this can make the condition worse, cause an injury or even lead to a infection.
when in don't visit a podiatrist.