Spring on the Gold Coast usually means more time outdoors, more walking, lighter footwear and a return to activities that may have slowed down during winter.
While your feet may be ready to escape their enclosed winter shoes, a sudden change in footwear or activity can make existing foot problems more noticeable. Dry or cracked skin, uncomfortable toenails, corns, calluses and recurring pain can quickly take the fun out of warmer weather.
A simple spring foot health check can help you identify small concerns before they begin interfering with your daily activities. Here are seven areas worth checking as the weather warms up.
1. Check the Skin on Your Feet
Start by looking at the tops, soles and sides of your feet, as well as the skin between your toes. Check for dryness, cracks, redness, peeling skin, blisters or areas that feel unusually tender.
Dry skin around the heels is common, particularly after months of wearing enclosed shoes. However, deeper cracks can become painful and may increase the risk of infection if the skin breaks.
Hard or thickened areas of skin may also indicate ongoing pressure or friction. Corns and calluses can develop when footwear rubs against the foot or when certain areas are carrying more pressure than others.
Avoid cutting, shaving or picking at hard skin yourself. The Foot Stop offers professional corn and callus treatment to safely reduce uncomfortable areas and investigate what may be causing them.
2. Take a Closer Look at Your Toenails
Spring is often when people begin paying more attention to their toenails again. Look for changes in thickness, colour, shape or texture, as well as tenderness around the edges of the nail.
Toenails should generally be trimmed straight across rather than rounded deeply into the corners. Cutting too far down the sides can encourage the edge of the nail to press into the surrounding skin.
If a nail is painful, red or swollen, it may be becoming ingrown. Avoid digging into the corner or attempting to remove the nail yourself. A podiatrist can assess the nail and discuss suitable ingrown toenail treatment.
Thickened or discoloured nails are not always caused by a fungal infection. Pressure, previous injuries and other nail conditions can look similar. If you are unsure, consider having the nail assessed before trying a treatment. You can learn more about fungal toenails and available treatment options.
3. Reassess Your Spring Footwear
Before returning to sandals, walking shoes or last year’s favourite sneakers, check how they fit and whether they are still providing adequate support.
Look for worn soles, compressed cushioning, damaged straps and areas inside the shoe that may rub against your skin. Shoes should feel secure without squeezing the toes or allowing the heel to slip excessively.
The right footwear will depend on your foot shape, activity and any existing foot concerns. A shoe that works well for casual wear may not be appropriate for longer walks, running or sport.
If you regularly experience discomfort in your shoes, visit our footwear advice page or bring your usual shoes to your next podiatry appointment so they can be assessed.
4. Increase Your Activity Gradually
Warmer weather can be great motivation to start walking, running or exercising more regularly. However, increasing your activity too quickly can place additional load on your feet, ankles and lower legs.
Begin with manageable distances and allow your body time to adjust. Make sure your footwear suits the activity and pay attention to any discomfort that becomes worse during or after exercise.
Muscle fatigue can be expected when returning to activity, but recurring or increasing pain should not simply be pushed through. Our Gold Coast sports podiatrists can assess foot and lower limb pain, movement patterns and contributing factors.
5. Pay Attention to Recurring Pain
Foot pain can develop for many different reasons, so the location of the pain alone does not always provide a clear diagnosis.
Take note of when the discomfort occurs. Is it worse during your first steps in the morning? Does it begin after standing for a long time? Does it only appear when running, wearing particular shoes or walking on certain surfaces?
These details can help your podiatrist understand what may be contributing to the problem. Pain that continues, returns regularly or changes the way you walk is worth assessing rather than waiting for it to become more disruptive.
6. Check Your Children’s Shoes and Feet
Children’s feet can grow quickly, and shoes that fitted comfortably several months ago may now be too small.
Check for adequate space around the toes, unusual wear on the soles, red pressure marks or complaints of pain. Reluctance to wear certain shoes, frequent tripping or changes in the way your child walks may also warrant a closer look.
The Foot Stop provides children’s podiatry on the Gold Coast for concerns involving foot development, walking patterns, heel pain, footwear and lower limb discomfort.
7. Take Extra Care if You Have Diabetes or Reduced Sensation
People with diabetes, reduced circulation or reduced sensation should check their feet regularly for cuts, blisters, swelling, colour changes or areas that are not healing as expected.
Do not use over-the-counter corn treatments or sharp tools to remove hard skin yourself. When sensation is reduced, it may be difficult to recognise an injury before it becomes more serious.
Regular diabetic foot care can help identify changes in circulation, sensation, skin and nail health. Seek professional advice promptly if you notice a wound, infection or sudden change in your feet.
When Should You Book a Foot Health Check?
Consider booking a podiatry appointment if you notice:
- Foot or heel pain that keeps returning
- Pain that changes the way you walk
- Redness, swelling or increasing tenderness
- An ingrown, thickened or discoloured toenail
- Painful corns, calluses or cracked heels
- Numbness, tingling or burning sensations
- A wound that is not healing normally
- Difficulty finding comfortable footwear
You do not need to wait until a problem becomes severe. An assessment can help determine what is causing the issue and what treatment or management options may be suitable for you.
Start Spring Feeling Comfortable on Your Feet
The Foot Stop provides clinic and mobile podiatry services across the Gold Coast, helping children, adults, seniors and active individuals care for their feet and lower limbs.
We are also preparing to welcome patients to our new West Burleigh clinic in October. You can learn more about our upcoming Burleigh podiatry clinic and the services that will be available.
If something does not look or feel right, request a podiatry appointment with The Foot Stop.