Don’t forget to wear wet rain shoes during monsoon! Feet can become victims of fungal infection and athlete’s foot.

While the monsoon season brings relief from the scorching heat, it also brings with it many health risks and skin related problems. During rainy days, shoes and socks often get soaked in water while going to office, school or market. Many people, out of compulsion or laziness, keep wearing the same wet shoes and stitched socks for hours. According to health experts and dermatologists, wearing wet shoes for a long time can be extremely dangerous for the health of the feet. This habit not only causes foot odor but also invites serious fungal and bacterial infections.

1. Risk of fungal infection and Athlete’s Foot

When shoes and socks are wet inside, the feet are locked in an environment of moisture and heat for a long time. This moisture creates the most suitable place for bacteria and fungus to grow. Due to this, the skin between the fingers starts melting, causing severe itching, redness, blisters and pain. In medical language it is called ‘athlete’s foot’ or tinea pedis.

2. Smelly Feet and Bacterial Growth

Air circulation in wet shoes stops, due to which sweat and muddy rain water become a home for bacteria. These bacteria grow on the skin of the feet and release foul-smelling gases. Due to this, as soon as the shoes are taken off, a strong foul smell spreads in the room, which can also embarrass the person in front of others.

3. Trench Foot and Nail Rot (Onychomycosis)

If your feet remain in water or wet shoes for several hours every day, blood flow in the veins may be affected. This leads to a condition called ‘trench foot’, in which the legs become numb and begin to spasm. Additionally, wetness penetrates deep into the toenails, causing the nails to become yellow, thick and weak and start breaking.

5 easy ways to protect and care for feet during the rainy season

To protect your feet from infection during monsoon, take special care of these things:

• Remove wet shoes and socks immediately: Do not stay in wet shoes or socks for too long. Change them immediately as soon as you reach work or come home.

• Dry feet thoroughly: After washing your feet, never forget to wipe the space between the toes with a dry and clean towel.

• Use of anti-fungal powder: Before wearing shoes, sprinkle anti-fungal or talcum powder on the feet and inside the shoes, so that moisture can be absorbed.

• Choosing the right footwear: On rainy days, wear waterproof floaters, rubber sandals or open-toed footwear instead of leather or canvas shoes.

• Use of natural dryer: To dry the shoes, stuff old newspaper inside them, the newspaper will absorb all the moisture and the shoes will dry quickly.