Stepped in a puddle? Dropped a tray of drinks? Whatever the reason may be, we all have had a pair of wet shoes a time or two. When water seeps through your footwear, your skin absorbs the water causing your feet to become waterlogged, wrinkly and even smell. YUCK! The longer your feet are wet, the greater the damage to your skin, including tears and the formation of blisters and deep painful cracks. Depending on where they are located on the foot, these injuries can be painful and may limit your mobility. If you are living with diabetes the injuries can be life changing as they may lead to serious ulcers that become infected and take many months to heal.
Wet shoes not only cause discomfort but, also can develop into Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet and can spread to the toenails and sometimes the hands. The fungal infection is called athlete’s foot because it’s commonly seen in athletes. Athlete’s foot isn’t serious, but sometimes it’s hard to cure. However, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and suspect that you have athlete’s foot, you should call your doctor immediately.
Nobody likes a pair of wet shoes, and while it’s tempting to just toss them in the dryer, you could end up shrinking your shoes and damaging the dryer in the process. Instead, stuff and wrap the outsides with newspaper. It works fast and won’t harm your shoes. For the best results, wrap a few rubber bands around the newspaper to keep them in close contact with the shoes. The newspaper will absorb the water pretty quickly, but depending on how drenched your shoes are, you may need to change newspaper once or twice. You may want to remove the insole too.
If your problems from your wet shoes do not subside, or even worsen, make sure to give us a call. Our doctors at Cornerstone Foot and Ankle can guide you through treatment. Call now to schedule your appointment or request you appointment online.
Cornerstone Foot & Ankle is a full service foot and ankle specialty office with locations in Sewell, Cherry Hill, Marlton, Mt. Holly, Woodbury, and Glassboro; serving the South Jersey region. We offer a full suite of services including surgery, fracture care, fungal nail care, diabetic foot care, pediatric podiatry, custom braces and orthotics, wound care, limb salvage, and treatments for arch pain, heel pain, and sports injuries; just to name a few. If it hurts below your knee, we can help you! CALL NOW or request your appointment online TODAY!