While the sunny days beckon us to open fields, beaches and swimming pools for summer fun, it’s important to be aware of the potential foot problems the season brings. To help everyone protect their feet this summer, the podiatrists of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association are providing the following tips:

1. Avoid going barefoot. Be sure to wear shoes, flip flops or aqua shoes around the pool, on the beach and in the locker room to prevent injuries from stepping on foreign objects and conditions such as athlete’s foot and warts.

2. Be sure to wash your feet daily. Keep your feet dry and clean when away from the water, and apply a topical anti-fungal medication on any cracking or peeling.

3. Enjoy the warm weather and go out for a walk. It’s great aerobic exercise and is considered the best form of exercise for your feet.

4. Just come back from a long day of sightseeing or hiking? Treat your feet to a soak in lukewarm water, a brief massage and then elevate them to take some stress off your circulatory system.

5. Avoid the temptation to not use socks. Wear ones made from acrylic fiber and lightly powder them to help keep them dry.

6. Remember to wear shoes that fit properly and do not wear the same shoes everyday. It will take at least 24 hours for your shoes to dry out after being worn.

7. Trim your toenails straight across, leaving them longer on the ends of your toes.

8. If you have diabetes, you should take extra care of your feet. NEVER walk barefoot. Minor injuries can become major infections quickly and could lead to amputations. Visit a podiatric physician for a yearly checkup.

9. When traveling by car or plane, regularly wiggle your ankle, flex your toes and walk around if possible.

10. At the first sign of an injury or infection, seek medical attention from a podiatric physician. Foot pain is not normal!