Summer on the Peninsula: Your Guide to Happy, Healthy Feet in the Heat

Summer on the Mornington Peninsula is what we live for—beach days at Ranelagh, coastal trail runs, and weekend festivals. However, the combination of searing heat, humidity, and a sudden switch to unsupportive footwear creates a “perfect storm” for our feet. At Step Ahead Podiatry, we want to ensure your summer memories are about the fun times, not the pain in your arches.

As the mercury rises in Mount Eliza, your body reacts in ways that can trigger old injuries or create brand-new ones. Here are the common conditions that tend to arise or worsen during these months:

• The Fungal “Bloom”: Warm, humid environments are breeding grounds for athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and fungal nails (onychomycosis). In fact, fungal infections become twice as common in warm weather. Research shows that Trichophyton rubrum, the leading cause of these infections, hits a pronounced seasonal peak during the summer.
• Cracked Heels: Constant exposure to the elements in open-toed shoes causes skin to dry out, flake, and split under pressure.
• Sunburned Feet: We often remember our shoulders and faces but forget that the tops of our feet and ankles are highly vulnerable to the harsh sun.
• Swollen Feet: Heat causes our bodies to be prone to heat swelling (edema), which can make your favorite sandals feel tight and uncomfortable.
• Thermal Burns: This is the “invisible” danger; summer pavement, concrete, and even sand can become significantly hotter than the air, causing second-degree burns within seconds. This is particularly dangerous for children on metal playground equipment and for diabetics with neuropathy who may not feel the heat until the tissue is damaged.
• Foot and Arch Pain: While thongs are a summer staple, they are completely unsupportive, often leading to a spike in heel pain, arch pain, and even tendonitis.

It is tempting to live in thongs from December to March, but your feet may pay the price. Thongs and strapless sandals are completely unsupportive, often leading to a spike in heel pain, arch pain, and even tendonitis. If you are heading to a festival and spending hours on your feet, the lack of cushioning can cause “heat cramps” in your muscles or aggravate existing alignment issues.

Pro Tip: Choose supportive sandals and thongs with arch support for long days out, and save the flip-flops strictly for the pool deck or public showers to avoid infections.

For the trekkers and trail runners hitting the Mornington Peninsula’s coastal paths, blisters are the ultimate summer foe.

• The Cause: Blisters aren’t just from rubbing; they are caused by “shear”—the skin stretching back and forth as your bones move within your foot.
• The Peak: Research shows the majority of blisters occur on day two of a trip.
• The Solution: Don’t wait for a “hotspot” to feel like it’s stinging. Use gel toe protectors to absorb shear and apply specialized blister patches to areas where you’ve had trouble before.

Special Care for Our Neighbors with Diabetes

If you are managing diabetes, summer requires extra vigilance. Diabetic neuropathy can make it difficult to feel if sand or pavement is burning your skin, which can lead to ulcers or serious infections that are slow to heal. Never go barefoot—not even on the sand—and always wear water shoes or supportive sandals.

When to Visit the Clinic

While home care is a great start, some issues require a professional help. You should book an appointment with Step Ahead Podiatry if you notice:

• Cracked heels that bleed or fail to heal.
• Yellow, thickened, or crumbly toenails
• Persistent arch or heel pain after wearing summer sandals.
• Diabetic foot concerns: If you have diabetes, any minor cut, blister, or thermal burn needs immediate professional attention to avoid serious complications like ulcers or infection.

Maintaining your feet in the summer is much like maintaining a high-performance vehicle: a little preventative maintenance and the right “tires” (supportive shoes) will ensure you can enjoy the road ahead without breaking down in the heat.