Swimming is a favorite summer activity for many, especially after a long day under the hot sun. If you plan on taking a trip to the beach, traveling for vacation, or visiting some friends, you may have the opportunity to swim. Enjoying a swim can be plenty of fun, but it can come with risks, particularly when it comes to your feet.

Here’s how to make the most of your summer swim without the risk of infection:

Wounds and Water Don’t Mix

Most of us live busy, active lives, which makes it easy to bump, scrape, or cut our skin accidentally – a lot of the time, we don’t even realize it. Regarding our feet, the biggest danger to swimming is infection. Lakes, ponds, and oceans have microscopic germs and bacteria that can easily infect a small sore. Part of successfully healing a cut involves keeping it away from possible sources of infection.

A big misconception is that chlorine in pools can help clean and keep your cut safe from bacteria. This isn’t true! Keep away from the water if you notice any sores, blisters, or open wounds this summer, even small ones.

Protecting Your Skin

You may want to go for a boat ride while planning on staying out of the water to help your cut heal. How can you keep your wound safe throughout the day? Follow these steps:

Apply antibiotic cream to help keep your broken skin infection-free.
Consider using a light dressing or Band-aid to prevent bacteria from entering the cut or wound.
Keep it clean and dry!
Avoid any exposure to outdoor water until you’re fully healed.
Wear protective shoes to avoid any further wounds.

If you suspect you have an infected sore on your feet or ankles, call a podiatrist ASAP!

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi and his staff treat various conditions and are committed to providing results. To schedule an appointment, contact his office in Woodland Park, NJ at 973-256-0002.