Rhiannon Ingle
The UK's third heatwave of the year has officially commenced, with the mercury set to rise once again to sweat-inducing temperatures of up to a staggering 34°C.
While most of our attention will be on staying hydrated, dusting off our hat collection, investing in electric fans and stocking up in the SPF department, we should also apparently be thinking about our feet too.
According to Dr Helen Branthwaite, Chief Clinical Advisor at the Royal College of Podiatry, who has partnered with Gentle Grip, there are a handful of mistakes people often make when it comes to the heat which can lead to some pretty grim health consequences including infections, ingrown toenails and some seriously bad odour.
Up first is not changing your footwear after each use
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"The feet will sweat up to half a pint per day, and this is absorbed by the socks and the shoe lining," Dr Branthwaite explains. "Teamed with body heat, it creates a warm and damp environment which is perfect for bacteria and fungi to thrive."
To avoid this, the expert recommends giving your footwear between 24-48 hours to dry out in between wears.
"While athletes' foot and fungal infections are caused by contagious skin infections, which are most easily spread by walking barefoot in communal areas such as changing rooms, the warm and moist conditions inside footwear can help an existing infection thrive. It can also make the skin more moist, making the foot more vulnerable to contracting the infection when it does come into contact with it," she added.
Second on the list is the cardinal sin of not wearing socks with your shoes.
Dr Branthwaite notes: "Shoe odour can be common when footwear has not been able to fully dry out. If you notice a strong odour from the inside of your shoes, look at charcoal-based moisture absorption products to draw the moisture out of the shoes and consider changing your socks throughout the day.
"If you are not wearing socks with your shoes, this may be the source of the odour, as the socks offer a way for your sweat to be wicked away from the surface of your skin and the shoe."
Third on the rundown is wearing über tight shoes when it gets too hot to bear.
"Your feet will usually expand in the heat, so if your shoes are already a poor fit then this can further exacerbate the pressure and rubbing on your feet, causing blisters, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses," Dr Branthwaite says.
"Ideally your footwear should accommodate the shape of your foot; it should have enough space for your toes to not be compressed while you are standing and have a way of staying on your foot around the ankle and across the top of your foot."
While many of us love nothing more than to practically live with our dogs out all summer, we should apparently think twice before doing so.
"Flip-flops and sliders will often come out of the wardrobe over summer; however, they are not suitable for longer walks or lots of activity," the expert warns. "Similarly, slip-on shoes with no arch support require you to claw your toes to keep them on and can increase the chance of injuries."
Instead, Dr Branthwaite recommends opting for a sandal that has a strap across the middle of the foot and around the ankle along with a sole that offers some arch support.
"If you intend on wearing the shoe for more than a few minutes of activity at a time, look for a sole that offers some shock absorption from the ground too," she adds.
And last but by no means least is inspecting your tootsies regularly to check for any problems that may be brewing.
"Checking your feet daily for changes or areas of concern is a great way to prioritise your foot health," Dr Branthwaite urges.
"You should speak to your podiatrist if you notice any changes to the shape or colour of your feet, the way that they feel, the temperature of them or the texture of your skin."