Advice on Foot Care

The temperatures are warming and it’s time to start thinking about shorts, t-shirts, beaches, BBQs and sandals. It’s tempting to slip on those sandals you bought on sale last Fall and head out for a day of fun in the sun. But, this can prove to be a problem for your feet, especially your toes. Although there are many styles of sandals, most have straps crossing the toes. There is very little material holding your foot on the sole of the sandal, compared with an enclosed shoe, which means that each strap of the sandal places more pressure on the foot. This is especially true in the area of the toes. Even an expensive pair of sandals can cause rubbing and irritation on the toes when you first wear them. The straps generally have prominent stitching and this stitching can cause rubbing, irritation and blisters.

The 5th toe is most commonly irritated. This is because the 5th toe is commonly rotated and has the most pressure from the straps. But, anywhere the straps cross the foot can cause irritation or rubbing. To avoid problems, try on the sandals and walk around the house. Identify areas of slight rub or irritation. Then place a thin piece of moleskin directly on the sandal in the area that is rubbing. If it’s the edge of the strap, consider placing the moleskin on the foot, on the potential area of irritation. If you develop an area of irritation it is best to cut out a small piece of moleskin and place it directly on the skin. If one of the toes is irritated, wrap the toe with sports tape. If a small blister develops, lance the blister, drain the fluid and place the moleskin directly on top of the blister. Don’t remove the moleskin, leave it on until it falls off. Don’t use bandaids over blisters. The central non-stick area will move and cause friction, further worsening the problem. If the blister opens and the top is sheared off, a non-stick surface is necessary. Fabric type bandaids can wrap around toes and bend and flex better than regular bandaids, and are well suited for the foot. It is best to remove the pressure and friction from the irritated area. This means switching shoes. Watch for increasing redness, streaking or pus, all signs of infection. More on blisters.

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