Just like with any sport, swimming can put your feet at risk for injury. Knowing how to protect your feet while swimming is key to maintaining healthy feet in and out of the water.
Common Types of Foot Injuries While Swimming
There are many ways that a swimmer can injure their feet or even develop an infection related to the sport. Some common foot injuries include:
- Foot cramps
- Tendonitis
- Athlete’s foot
- Toenail fungus
Prevention Tips
There are simple steps you can take to avoid injuries to your feet while swimming. You can keep the following prevention tips in mind:
- Stretch. Before and after you swim, take time to stretch your legs and feet. Overuse can cause your toes to cramp up or your muscles to strain. Properly warming up and cooling down by stretching can help you avoid any injury.
- Choose appropriate footwear. Don’t walk barefoot around the pool area or locker room. Have a pair of flip-flops or shower shoes nearby so you can wear them instead of going barefoot. This will help you prevent fungus on your feet and can also provide traction near water so you do not slip and fall.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. If you care for your feet properly, you can avoid developing a skin or nail infection caused by a fungus. Be sure to dry off your legs and feet after swimming or taking a shower and apply an anti-fungal spray to prevent any possible fungal infections from occurring. You can also wear clean socks after drying off to add another layer of protection.
- Check your feet regularly. Look for any blisters, open wounds, or signs of infections so you can treat them immediately before they cause a severe problem.
Time to Call a Podiatrist
If you have injured your feet while swimming or have developed an infection, contact Greater Washington Advanced Podiatry and we can help. Our office can provide a free initial consultation and help create a treatment plan to get you back on your feet. To set up an appointment, fill out our contact form or call us at (301) 515-FEET.
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