Summer foot care: the August protocol

August brings more "urgent" foot-care appointments than any other month: open shoes, sand, chlorinated water and heat combine to dry, harden and irritate the skin. The summer protocol is not more aggressive - it is more targeted.

What changes in summer

• Moisture loss: heavy sweating combined with sun and seawater dehydrates the stratum corneum.
• Mechanical stress: open footwear without heel support spreads the heel fat pad and leads to fissures.
• Damp environments: pools, shared showers and closed sports shoes raise the risk of fungal infection.

The appointment, step by step

1. Assessment: record fissures, callus points, nail colour and thickness, and any interdigital signs of infection.
2. Controlled callus reduction: use a disposable disc system such as the Staleks PODODISC EXPERT S with 180 grit discs, keeping the tool moving and the pressure light. Remove the excess, not the protective layer.
3. Heel fissures: bevel the fissure edges rather than excising them. The aim is to stop the crack from opening mechanically.
4. Nails: cut straight, finish with a file, and check the side walls with a fine bit from the Diamond Bits category.
5. Finishing: smooth with a Staleks Crescent Mineral file 180/240 and hydrate.

Hygiene is not negotiable in summer

A busier diary never justifies shortcuts. Every instrument set reaches the client sealed and goes straight back into a soak of Prosept Fortis, while bits get their own container of Prosept Burs. See the full line in the Disinfection / Sterilization category.

All foam and textile consumables are single use - top up your stock from the Consumables category before the peak of the month.

What we tell the client

• Moisturise nightly, focusing on the heel; avoid the space between the toes.
• Dry between the toes after every shower or swim.
• Wear flip-flops in shared showers and around pools.
• Rotate shoes so each pair dries for a full 24 hours.
• Come in immediately for pain, redness or discharge - especially with a diabetic foot.

August stock check

• Disposable discs and abrasive tapes from Files / Buffers.
• Gloves and masks in sufficient quantity.
• Soaking solutions and sterilisation pouches in two sizes.

Related products

- Categories: Disinfection / Sterilization, Files / Buffers - Staleks PODODISC EXPERT S Set 15mm - Prosept Fortis 1 L instrument disinfectant