Summer Foot Care Essentials to Pack in Your Vacation Bag
Some people prepare for their summer vacation the night before they leave, tossing stuff into a suitcase with a somewhat frenzied abandon. Others work from a detailed, computerized spreadsheet of must-haves they’ve kept track of since their last vacation. No matter you’re packing style, board-certified podiatrist Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM, has a suggestion: pack a small bag filled with everything you need to take care of your feet, including some basic first aid items.
Essentials to pack:
- nail clippers and emery boards to smooth any toenail snags
- antibiotic ointment and adhesive bandages for treating minor cuts and scrapes
- blister pads to stop blisters from forming or cushion an existing one
- sunscreen to apply to the tops of your feet and toes
- aloe vera gel to soothe any skin that inadvertently eludes your sunscreen application!
- different shoes for all your planned activities: supportive, cushioned sandals; athletic shoes for exercising or city walking tours; flip-flops to wear at public pools and spas to protect your feet from athlete’s foot and other fungal infections and several pairs of socks, so you never have to wear a pair that’s wet or dirty
- thick moisturizing cream to apply at the end of a long day of walking and sightseeing
- custom orthotics, if you own them
Optional items you might like to have:
These extras don’t take up a lot of room and are easy to include if you’re traveling by car:
- tools for a home pedicure such as a foot file, pumice stone, foot mask, and nail polish
- foot basin and Epsom salts for an end-of-day soak
- compression socks to prevent lower limb swelling when sitting for extended periods (or for air travel)
For a foot-safe vacation, remember to stay well hydrated in the heat and promptly treat any foot injuries. See a podiatrist as soon as possible for sprains, swelling, or pain that doesn’t go away. If you’re vacationing in Fairfax County, Virginia, call Clifton Foot & Ankle Center at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online for an appointment.
