Summer is hard on everyone's feet, and diabetes adds an extra layer of care. Open footwear, heat, swelling and shared poolsides all raise the chance of a cut, burn or infection, and with diabetes those need more attention. A little seasonal care keeps diabetic feet safe and comfortable. Here is how.
Why Summer Needs Extra Care With Diabetes
The everyday summer risks, sunburn, hot surfaces, cuts from open shoes, poolside infections, all matter more when diabetes can reduce sensation and slow healing. Something that would be a minor nuisance otherwise deserves prompt attention. The habits below build on our general diabetic foot care advice.
Summer Foot Care Tips for Diabetics
Through the warmer months:
- Do not go barefoot on hot sand, poolsides or pavements, which can burn or cut
- Protect the tops of your feet from sunburn with sun cream
- Choose supportive footwear that protects the foot rather than exposing it
- Check your feet after wearing open shoes or being at the pool
- Stay hydrated, since feet swell more in the heat
Each is small, and together they head off the common summer problems.
Protecting Against Summer Infections
Warm, damp poolsides and changing rooms are where verrucae and athlete's foot spread, and these need careful management with diabetes. Wear something on your feet in communal areas, dry your feet well, and have any athlete's foot treated promptly rather than left.
When to Seek Help in Summer
Get any cut, blister, burn or wound that is not healing checked promptly, along with any redness, swelling or colour change. With diabetes, quick attention is always the safer choice. Our foot care service is here through the summer.
At Advanced Footcare Group we help people with diabetes keep their feet safe all year round.
For a summer foot check, call 01306 883 332 or book an appointment. This is general information and does not replace advice from your own diabetes or podiatry team.
Frequently asked questions.
Why is summer riskier for diabetic feet?
Warm weather brings open footwear, hot surfaces, swelling and shared poolsides, all of which raise the chance of a cut, burn or infection. Because diabetes can reduce sensation and slow healing, these everyday summer risks matter more, so a bit of extra care is worthwhile through the warmer months.
Can people with diabetes wear sandals in summer?
Supportive sandals that protect the feet can be fine, but open footwear leaves the feet exposed to cuts, stubs and sunburn, which need more care with diabetes. Avoid going barefoot, check the feet after wearing open shoes, and choose footwear that protects rather than exposes the foot.
Should diabetics avoid walking barefoot in summer?
Yes, it is best avoided. Hot sand, poolsides and pavements can burn, and going barefoot risks unnoticed cuts and picking up infections such as verrucae. Wearing something on your feet protects against all of these, which matters more when sensation may be reduced.