Dust the monsoon dirt off your feet with these 6 tips to keep them dry and clean

Hands down, wet feet drenched in dirty rain water are the worst of them all. Wrinkled skin, dirt, fishy odour, and to top it all, skin infections – these are a few things that won’t let us enjoy the beauty of monsoon. But the fact is that foot care during the monsoon is a must and we shouldn’t let it pass. You know why? Well, that’s because it’s an open invitation to fungal infections and much MORE.

According to renowned dermatologist, Dr Ajay Rana, monsoon is a time of trudging through water-filled puddles that bear humid temperatures. At this time, we need to be extra cautious of our feet, because of the harshness of the monsoon season. 

During this time, your skin can turn dirty, wet, sticky, infected and even rugged to feel. The humid, wet and sticky climate translates into wet shoes, sweaty feet, cracked toes, fungal infections, itching, athlete’s foot and many other allergies. 

“The most common foot problems during the monsoon season are stinky feet, swelling around the nail folds and fungal infections. Extreme exposure to water makes feet soggy and vulnerable to cracks and infections. Malodorous feet are a result of continued use of wet footwear and bacterial overgrowth in the footwear or the feet. Fungus multiplies quickly in moist environments, and is very resistant to treatment. People who walk barefoot have increased chances of getting warts on their feet,” explains Dr Rana.

So, spare yourself the horror and learn about these simple and effective tips.

6 foot care tips that will help you keep skin infections at bay during the monsoon

1. Keep an antifungal powder handy

In case your feet got all wet in dirty rainwater, make sure to apply a good antifungal talcum powder on dry feet right after, and let them breathe for some time, before wearing shoes or socks.

2. Keep washing your feet

Wash your feet with a liquid wash, every time you come home from outside. Ensure to dry your feet completely, before wearing new footwear or socks.

3. A good foot moisturizer will always help

Always apply a good foot cream or moisturizer that keeps your feet hydrated, prevents allergies, and keeps the heels soft and smooth. Apply the moisturizer on dry feet twice a day, in the morning after shower and at night before going to bed.

4. Scrubbing is a must

Different areas of the feet require different care. The heel is generally cracked and needs to be scrubbed with a pumice stone or a scrub to remove dead cells by applying a moisturizing cream. The space between toes has to be cleaned, dried, and sprayed with powder, preferably an antifungal powder. But always avoid using scrubs in this region, since it can cause breaks in the soft skin between toe-webs. This can cause fungus to grow.

5. Feet exfoliation will keep dead skin at bay

Exfoliation is very helpful for your feet during the monsoon season. Exfoliating helps to remove the dead skin cells; it can remove all the dust particles and infections from the skin, thereby leaving it clean and dry.

6. Don’t forget to trim your nails

Keep the toenails trimmed, so that less dirt accumulates underneath the nails and cleaning your feet becomes easier.

We hope these tips will help your feet stay happy in the monsoon!