Protecting Your Feet at the Pool and in the Water This Summer

Everything you need to know before you hit the pool deck, the lake, or the beach

Summer in Ontario means pools, lakes, splash pads, and cottage docks — and all of that wonderful water time comes with a few foot health risks that are easy to overlook when you're enjoying the season. We're not here to put a damper on your summer fun. We just want to make sure your feet come through it in great shape.

Here's what your foot care nurses want you to know about water, wet surfaces, and keeping your feet healthy all summer long.

The Real Risk of Wet, Public Surfaces

Pool decks, change rooms, communal showers, water parks, and locker room floors are among the highest-risk environments for foot health — not because they're visibly dirty, but because of what lives on them that you can't see.

Warm, wet surfaces are ideal breeding grounds for the fungi and viruses that cause two of the most common foot conditions we treat: Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) and plantar warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Both are highly contagious and spread easily through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.

You don't need a visible wound or break in the skin for these organisms to take hold — microscopic abrasions from walking on rough pool concrete, or simply having softened, waterlogged skin, can be enough of an entry point.

Onychomycosis: Summer Is Peak Season

Most people associate fungal nail infections with winter — closed, warm footwear, socks worn all day. And while that's certainly a risk factor, summer brings its own set of conditions that make Onychomycosis surprisingly common during the warmer months.

Repeated cycles of getting feet wet and then putting them into shoes without adequate drying time, walking barefoot on communal wet surfaces, and spending long days in damp sandals or water shoes all create environments where fungal organisms thrive. The warm, humid summer air doesn't help either.

Early signs of Onychomycosis include a nail that begins to look yellowed, thickened, or dull — sometimes with a slightly powdery texture underneath. If you notice any of these changes after a summer of pool time, come in for an assessment. The earlier a fungal nail infection is caught, the easier it is to address.

Plantar Warts and the Pool Deck Connection

Plantar warts are caused by HPV entering the skin through tiny breaks or softened areas on the sole of the foot. Pool decks and communal change rooms are classic transmission environments — one infected person walking barefoot leaves traces of the virus on the surface, and the next person to walk the same path can pick it up.

Children are particularly susceptible, as their immune systems haven't yet developed the same defences against HPV as most adults. But adults are by no means immune — particularly those with any degree of immune compromise.

The simplest and most effective way to reduce your risk? Don't walk barefoot on shared surfaces. It sounds obvious, but pool sandals are one of the most skipped summer accessories — and one of the most important ones for foot health.

The Right Footwear for Water Environments

Not all summer footwear is created equal when it comes to protecting your feet around water. Here's what we recommend:

• Pool sandals or water shoes for communal areas. Wear them on the pool deck, in the change room, and through the shower. Remove them only when you're in the water itself.

• Choose a style with a sole thick enough to protect. Thin foam flip flops offer very little protection from pressure or debris and can also pose as a slip risk. A sandal with a firmer sole is better for your foot structure and provides more durable coverage.

• Dry your feet thoroughly before putting shoes back on. This is one of the most important steps. Moisture trapped between toes and under the nail is one of the leading contributors to both fungal infections and skin breakdown. Take the time to dry properly, including between each toe.

• Don't share footwear. Communal or borrowed pool footwear is a direct route for fungal and viral transmission. Always use your own.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Patients

If you have diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, circulatory concerns, or a compromised immune system, the summer water environment requires extra care and vigilance.

Diabetic patients should be particularly cautious about walking on rough pool surfaces, which can cause abrasions that may go unnoticed due to reduced sensation — and then heal slowly due to impaired circulation. Inspect your feet carefully after any time in or around the water and contact us promptly if you notice any skin changes, cuts, or areas of redness.

We also recommend that high-risk patients avoid natural bodies of water — lakes, rivers, and ponds — when they have any open areas of skin, including blisters, cracks, or recent wounds. Natural water harbours bacteria that can cause serious infections in compromised skin.

When in doubt, protect your feet first. Missing a swim is always preferable to managing an infection.

After the Water: Your Post-Swim Routine

A simple post-swim routine can go a long way toward protecting your feet all summer:

• Rinse your feet with clean water and dry them thoroughly, paying careful attention between the toes

• Apply a therapeutic moisturizer to the heels and soles to counteract the drying effect of chlorinated or salt water

• Inspect your feet — look at the skin, nails, and the spaces between your toes for any changes

• Allow your footwear to dry fully before wearing it again — damp sandals and water shoes harbour the same organisms as pool decks

• If you notice anything unusual — a new thickening under a nail, a small lesion on the sole, or skin that looks different — make a note of it and book a foot care appointment

Keeping Children's Feet Safe This Summer

Children are enthusiastic pool-goers and equally enthusiastic about ignoring their parents' advice about sandals. We understand. But plantar warts in children are one of the most common things we see through the summer and fall, and the pool deck is almost always the culprit.

A pair of pool shoes, a reminder to wear them in the change room, and a quick post-swim foot check at home can make a real difference. And if you do notice a hard spot developing on the sole of your child's foot — particularly one that feels tender when squeezed from the sides rather than pressed directly — come in for an assessment sooner rather than later. Plantar warts are far easier to treat when they're caught early.

Enjoy the Water — We've Got Your Feet Covered.

Summer is meant to be enjoyed, and a few simple habits are all it takes to keep your feet healthy through the season. If you have any concerns about your foot health heading into or coming out of the summer months, we're always here to help — without judgment and with a plan tailored just for you.

Book an appointment at www.solerenewalfootcare.ca. We'll see you on the other side of summer with happy, healthy feet.

— Natalie Doucet, RPN | Sole Renewal Footcare & Wellness | Oshawa, Ontario