Best and Most Comfortable Monsoon Footwear for Women

The word ‘monsoon’ brings in mind images of gray sky, lush greenery, refreshing cloudbursts and torrential rain. Unfortunately, monsoon also means mud, sludge and waterlog. While overall monsoon might project a pretty picture, the fact is your treading zone becomes quite problematic during this season. If proper protection is not taken, your feet develop fungal infections which in turn cause irritation and discomfort. So you need to be very careful, while choosing monsoon footwear.

• What materials to pick from?
Wait till the monsoon season ends to bring out your fancy satin sandals. If you have not noticed already, normal fabric gets soiled in monsoon. Sometimes threads/soles/insoles come off. Footwear fabric might also develop fungal growth which can harm your feet in ways scarier than you even anticipate. Leather shoes are not advisable too, as they are susceptible to mold and moisture. In monsoon, you should always stick to waterproof materials like PVC and rubber. There is no need to compromise your style quotient by switching to plastic footwear as these sandals come in bright colours and trendy prints.


• What style to go for?
During monsoon season, stay away from strappy sandals. Walking through mud and water becomes quite difficult if the grip of the strap is not strong. One-band sandals are a much better option. PVC or rubber flips-flops are comfortable alternatives too. The best thing about these sandals is that they can be washed which eliminates chances of fungal infection. Closed shoes like Wellies and rain boots are just perfect during monsoon because these protect your feet from dirty water.  Again, pumps are not preferred options. Though these are closed, they don’t protect your entire feet from muddy water. As a result, your feet remain water soaked most of the time causing severe infection.


• Should you go for branded options?
Unbranded shoes from the street might appear quite fancy and come at attractive prices too. However for the rainy season, you should stick to branded options. These may come at costlier price tags but be sure, branded footwear will run for long. All well-known branded shoes are made of high quality materials and come with strong grip and suitable cushion systems. Hence, these shoes keep your feet comfortable and clean. Of course, you don’t have to give up on street fashion entirely, just make sure to maintain a stock of hardy shoes of reputed brands, which can be used in rough weather.

Lastly, and most importantly, give utmost stress on personal hygiene. Wash your feet with disinfectants, especially if you have waded dirty water. Maintain a foot scrub routine at least once a week. If some occasion demands wearing satin slippers, leather pumps or stilettos better opt for basic waterproof shoes while travelling. Then, change to the dainty pair on reaching your destination.

In case monsoon foot problems refuse to subside, do get in touch with a podiatrist. Certain foot conditions do demand expert attention. So don’t be negligent. Take precautions from the very beginning to keep your feet clean as well as infection and odor free throughout monsoon.

Common Foot Problems During Monsoon and Preventive Measures

Monsoon brings respite from hot and humid summer months. At the same time, it invites several foot problems. Human foot is that part of the body which is exposed the most to weather inconsistencies. Excessive exposure to water, mud and dirt thus proves to be harmful for human feet.

A proper foot care regime should be followed during monsoon to keep your foot clean and dry. The problem is that you can’t stay at home all the time, in order to keep it clean and germ free. Once you return from a day’s work or travel, your feet regains its dirty and muddy look!

Common Feet Conditions during Rainy Season

Foot soaks up water and constantly gets exposed to dirt and mud during monsoons.  This consistent damp condition results in foot soreness and cracks. Then dirty water adds to your woes, since this invites lot of germs and bacteria. This results in severe itchiness and redness which if left untreated, often takes the shape of serious skin allergies.

If you feel that your feet are properly protected since these remain covered most of the day, then again this is a misconception! Covered shoes don’t keep your feet healthy always. On the contrary, closed shoe causes more harm! Wearing covered shoes throughout the day results in fungal infection between toes. Skin turns flaky too.

Another common foot ailment from which many suffer during monsoon months is the athlete’s foot. A combination of bacterial and fungal infection, the disease starts from toe portion and spreads gradually. Those whose feet stay wet for long hours and that too with dirty water are more susceptible to this foot disease.  Athlete’s foot results in discoloration of the affected portion. Mostly the foot turns greenish or whitish with constant itchiness. In severe cases, foul smell and pus are observed too.

Ways to Prevent Feet Ailments

Often people tend to overlook their feet because of hectic work schedule. This is not at all advisable.  Following a regular foot care routine right from the onset of monsoon can be really helpful. Here are some simple measures which can be easily adopted.

1. Don’t have time to visit a parlor? Then try out pedicure at home at least once a week. Soak your feet in lukewarm water after adding few drops of anti-septic liquid. Scrub the foot and clean inside portion of nails thoroughly. Then dry your feet properly and apply a light moisturizer.
2. Closed shoes should be avoided. Wear shoes with light straps and let your feet breathe.
3. Keep the feet dry as far as possible. Also, make sure that you wear clean and dry shoes, socks and raincoats.
4. Clean the feet with soap and hot water in case you have waded through stagnant water.

Many have this idea that monsoon related foot conditions cease gradually as the season changes. This is somewhat correct too. However if your foot problems persist for long, it is better to consult a Podiatrist immediately.

Why Do You Need to Protect Your Feet at Workplace

There are several occupations or working environments where your foot’s firmness is tested every day. This significant body part has to bear the brunt of daily working life. The foot gets exposed to several hazards like standing or walking for prolonged hours; sometimes on slippery or rough surface. Operating  machinery for longer span can lead to foot ailments too. Then, by wearing high heels or stilettos at workplace you might be paving way for foot ailments.

Working Environment & Your Feet

There are several things that disturb your foot’s comfort while working. Start with the type of floor. Standing or walking for extended hours on hard, unyielding surfaces can cause several foot problems paired with lower leg pain and backaches. The problem aggravates if you wear hard soled shoes. Often arthritic problems raise their heads from such uncomfortable working conditions. Concrete or marble floors are comparatively better in this respect. Again, working on slippery floors might prove to be risky too. Weather conditions also play a role in creating foot ailments. Working in extreme heat can cause sweaty feet which further escalates to painful blisters.

Common Problems Associated with Working Feet

Most typical working foot ailments are severe ache in the arch and heel portion along with soreness of ball of the foot or leg. Then, you might experience itching or discoloration of the affected part. Poor blood circulation can cause numbness and tingling sensation in the foot. Swelling of the feet or leg frequently happens in an unfavorable working condition.

If you need to work with heavy machinery, then foot injury risks like crushing, punctures or amputations are higher. Working on slippery surfaces or cluttered walkways aggravates chances of sprained ankle, foot fractures or broken bones. Corns, hard skin, athlete’s foot and sweaty foot are few direct outcomes of working on hard, inflexible floors.

Ways to Protect your Foot at Workplace

Don’t wait for foot ailments to raise their heads. Start early to ensure a fit and healthy working foot. Here are few tips:-

• Select footwear matching your working condition. While some professions demand good-fitting and supportive shoes, there are hazardous working conditions where safety footwear is highly advisable.
• You should always shop for properly fitting shoes that offer enough space to your toes
• If you can’t do without those fancy high-heels, stick to a heel height of approx. 1.57 inch for regular use. Again, if you need to be on your feet constantly, then better bring down the height to 1inch.
• Wearing damp, sweaty shoes is a strict ‘No-No’! Keep at least two pairs of shoes for work purposes so that you can always alternate between days.

Finally, try to pamper your foot as much as possible by following a regular foot-care regime. In case you sense any kind of working foot ailment, get in touch with a foot specialist without delay.

How to Choose Sports Shoes and Trainers

Sports shoes can immensely impact your feet. Choosing the wrong shoe means you are inviting foot conditions. Your feet won’t feel good if you decide to use jogging pair to play football or tennis. The problem is that sportspersons often tend to overlook this very basic yet crucial fact.

Trainers are significant piece of fitness equipment wearing which a player can protect his feet from severe injuries. Picking up ill-fitting sports shoes can result in serious foot ailments coupled with back, hip or knee pains. Some common foot conditions that a player might face are Achille’s tendinitis, serious leg pain, soreness of toes coupled with painful blisters. All these ailments mostly arise because sportsmen and women pick up wrong shoes for their chosen sports. If you are into regular sports activities, then continue reading to know how to ensure adequate protection of your feet by selecting the right sports shoes.

Shoes for Running

Use your running pair only for running purpose. Such shoes need to be extremely flexible so that your foot can bend effortlessly with each step. Again, it is never advisable to wear running pair for racquet sports that demand sideways stepping.

In order to ensure best fitting running shoes, you can order a customized one matching your particular foot type. Get in touch with any expert running shoe retailer who will carry out a gait analysis to suggest the appropriate running pair.

Shoes for Tough Games

Sports like football put excessive pressure on feet. A footballer often suffers from corns, calluses, damaged or ingrown toenails. Only a perfectly fitting pair of boots can offer relief from such painful conditions. Check out during the training session whether you feel comfortable wearing the new pair, before trying it out in the field.

Shoes for Racquet Sports

Tennis or squash demands lots of side-to-side movement. Thus, a running shoe won’t solve the purpose. Ideally, your racquet sport shoes should be heavier and firmer than running pairs, so as to support the stop-and-go action. Of course, comfort should be the decisive factor too. It is also suggested to replace racquet sports shoes on a regular basis.

Shoes for Court games

When it comes to picking up pairs for court games like basketball or netball, always give priority to elasticity and sideways support. Cross-trainers are often preferred for court games since these are stiffer and designed to support side-to-side movement. Also, these shoes adapt to various other sports activities.

Boots for Walking or Hiking

A morning walk is a great way to boost activity level. There are also adventurous souls who love to embark on hiking trips from time to time. Be it daily walks or a day-long hike, it is very important to select appropriate footwear, matching the purpose. A pair of comfortable shoes perfectly meets the criteria of casual walkers. However, serious walkers and hikers should invest in proper walking pairs or lightweight walking boots.

Still if you feel that your sports activities are not matching the sports pair, then a good idea is to consult an expert podiatrist for better guidance.

How to Run Without Foot Pain

Jogging is one routine which is meant to keep you fit. Then isn’t it a bit of irony that joggers often run into foot problems! The fact is that jogging is good for overall health but proves harder on feet. As compared to other physical activities, during jogging the foot gets stressed the most. No wonder foot pain is a common symptom for recreational as well as competitive runners.

In order to counter enormous pounding that your feet take during jogging, it is very important to concentrate on proper footwear. According to expert podiatrists, running related foot pain happens because of ill-fitting running shoes.

How to Prevent Running Foot Problems

Only effective solution lies in picking up appropriate and comfortable footwear. Opt for running shoes that come with extra padding. This cushions your feet and protects it from the impact of continuous pounding. Also, running footwear is designed to support and stabilize the arch portion. Again keep in mind that running shoes are not the same as exercise shoes which are used for aerobics, tennis or other such sports.

In extreme cases, podiatrists suggest customized footwear matching your foot type and gait. Thus, a good idea is to visit any specialty running store only. They will suggest particular shoe after assessing your specific foot problem.

Don’t break into a run immediately after you reach the track. Take some time to stretch which helps reduce strain of tendons, muscles and joint portions. Usually experts suggest at least 10 minutes of warm up before starting the jogging. Start slowly and take time to build up speed and distance. Make sure your foot is dry during running.

However, if your foot pain just doesn’t subside in spite of every precaution then a visit to an expert podiatrist is highly suggested. He might suggest orthotics or some other remedies to ease painful running foot.

How to Pick Footwear that Prevents Sweaty Foot

Summer season always challenges your skin. Especially, this is the month when your feet demand special attention too. If you are already suffering from foot conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis or diabetes related complications, then these might worsen from the scorching heat. Constant sweating of your feet may result in blisters or hard, cracked skin during this time.

Rather than being too panicky about why your feet problems are deteriorating during summer, you need to take a close look at certain factors. Selecting the right footwear will save you from sweaty foot!

• When the heat becomes unbearable, this is the natural tendency to kick off shoes and feel relaxed. By doing so, you might be inviting some serious problems. Going barefoot is never advised because the heat and humidity can affect your tender foot skin. Foot infections can also happen if the walking area is not clean. Especially those suffering from diabetes should never go barefoot.
• People are often inclined to pick up flip-flops since these look cool, fashionable and beat the heat too. The problem is that super-flimsy flip-flops do not take care of your foot health. These provide no support to your feet and hence extremely harmful for those suffering from flat feet and high arches. Then the thong portion of the flip-flop might cause skin irritation. By wearing flip-flops you become susceptible to sudden accident or scrubbed toes since the footwear doesn’t stabilize your feet in anyway. In fact, foot experts feel that such footwear can cause similar harm just like high-heels or pointed shoes.  
• Don’t let your feet remain wet for too long. This might sound quite an implausible task, more so, if you need to travel often in the sweltering heat. Problem is that your sweaty feet may cause summer blisters. So, make sure that you change socks daily and opt for the ones with at least 70% cotton or wool. This surely helps in keeping your foot dry.
• There are certain foot ailments that cause perspiration and extreme discomfort, if you are wearing inappropriate footwear. So it is very important to select shoes matching your foot problem. Take for instance plantar fasciitis, for which podiatrists suggest shoes with cushioned heels, heel cradles or heel cups. For bunion feet, a good idea is to pick up shoes with wide toe boxes to lessen pain.  Podiatrists also recommend forefoot products like bunion shields, night splints or bunion bandages. Some effective remedies for diabetic foot include wearing shoes with high and wide toe boxes. Removable insoles where you can fit orthotics also help in this regard.

Thus it can be deducted that while picking up footwear for summer months, you need to take practical decisions. A flip-flop might fulfill your fashion quotient but is not advisable for whole day use. The best idea is to consult an expert podiatrist for helpful maintenance tips for your sweaty feet. 

Know how Nutrition Affects Foot Conditions

Nutrition is often associated with weight loss or heart problem. However, the fact is diet can affect any of your body parts and feet are no exception too. This is simply because the foot is connected to the rest of your body. Thus, what you intake either strengthens or weakens the foot. So, if you are really worried about constant foot problems then it is time to take a look at your diet chart.

When it comes to foot ailments, inflammation and pain are quite common. People often experience heel pain which is caused by inflammation of the plantar fasciitis i.e., a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot connecting heel bone to your toes.  Then there are many who suffer from arch pain/ strain and also heel spur. According to expert podiatrists, painful foot and inflammation can result from excessive intake of some specific foods like:-

• Junk or baked items that contain refined grains, trans-fat and sugar
• Red meat which is rich in saturated fat
• Vegetable oils that are commonly used as cooking media like corn, sunflower or soybean oils; these contain high level of Omega-6 fats
• Sweets, pasta and white flour that directly impact blood sugar level

Excessive intake of sugar, saturated or Omega-6 fat can play havoc with the body system thus directly impacting your feet. Those suffering from high blood sugar might experience foot swelling and pain. Foot inflammation can also occur from some food related chronic allergic reactions. As per a recent study, obesity too has some connection with foot pain/inflammation. So, it is very important to follow a healthy diet chart that should ideally include:-

• Green vegetables and fresh fruits
• Whole grains
• Legumes/ beans
• Nuts and seeds
• Lean meats
• Fatty fishes like salmon or fish oil supplements that are rich in omega-3 fats

As is evident from the above chart, the main emphasis is on a wholesome and balanced diet. Green vegetables and Omega-3 work as anti-inflammatory agents. Then Omega-3 is highly effective in preventing peripheral artery disease. Food items like whole grains, beans or lean meat work best for diabetic patients.

If in doubt whether your foot problem has direct connection with your food habit, then the best way to affirm is by consulting any renowned podiatrist. He will help in preparing the right diet chart after assessing your specific foot conditions.