The majority of people in India love monsoons and wait for their arrival every year. This season plays an important role in agriculture and thus, monsoon brings hope for the farming sector. Interestingly, it is also considered as the season of love as everyone loves the cloudy weather with a cool breeze, rainbows, dancing in the rain, enjoying hot & crispy snacks while watching nature’s shower.

But there are a few things which need to be considered before enjoying the rain of the season. In monsoon season the weather becomes humid which makes our skin and foot prone to many fungal infections that may lead to serious problems if proper care is not taken on time.

Common foot problems in monsoon

In the rainy season, our feet are constantly in touch with water and mud. Consistent exposure to dirty water can result in soreness, allergies, or cracks in the foot. The dirt adds up to the problem as it invites many germs which can further worsen the situation with inflammation, redness, or itchiness. If taken lightly, this can lead to serious allergies which can result in foot pain and swelling also. So people may think that covering the entire foot can be a handy solution. But wait, this is not the right step. It can make the situation worse leading to fungal infection and flaky skin.

The second major problem in monsoon is the athlete’s foot because high humidity serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi thus predisposing it to these infections. The infection may start affecting the toes first and then gradually spreading to the other regions of the foot.

Dr. Anuj Chawla, an experienced foot and ankle specialist in Gurgaon shares a few tips which can be helpful to prevent foot infections or problems in monsoon.

Some foot care tips for monsoon 2020

• Always keep your feet clean and dry to stay away from infection

Every time you come at home, wash your feet and gently rub it with skin-friendly soap to wash off the mud and dirt which is clinging on your feet. Dry your feet with a towel and dust some anti-fungal powder between the toes.

• Pedicure treatment?? Postpone your session to avoid foot problems

It is never suggested to go for a pedicure in monsoon as it can increase the risk of getting foot infection. It is more important in diabetics as the small cracks, neuropathy and humidity may serve as a lethal combination increasing the proneness to infections and subsequent problems.

• Trim your toe nails short

Dirt and dust tend to harbor under the nails of the toes. So keeping it short and trimmed helps in preventing the nail infections

• Say no to closed footwear in monsoon

In a humid climate, if you wear closed footwear, your skin will not be able to breathe and more moisture will be accumulated in the footwear than the external environment. This situation of sweaty feet can make your feet prone to fungal attack. So it is better to wear something in which, the area near the toes is open. Also, never wear wet shoes or socks.

• Never skip moisturizer to keep your skin well hydrated

Before hitting the bed, make sure to apply mild moisturizer on foot so that the skin can remain refresh and can be repaired in the night. This step will also help to get rid of dead skin.

• Never miss your footwear & walk barefoot to reduce the risk of infection

If you try to walk barefoot on the wet floor, apart from the risk of falling and injuring yourself, you are attracting many micro-organisms that can be harmful to your foot. So the best option is to wear flip flops in monsoon as they let your feet breathe and avoid contact with a wet surface

These were a few tips that can be helpful to keep your feet safe in this monsoon. If you are suffering from any foot problem, then consult Dr Anuj Chawla. He has helped many people to get rid of foot pain with the help of the most effective treatment possible.