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Summer Feet Blues

by Deanna Klan, Penticton, BC

Do your heels become dry, calloused and cracked during the summer?  Here are the causes and the answers to smooth, soft, feet in quick simple ideas you can put into practice today.

Every summer as an esthetician I am besieged with people who have problems with their feet, especially their heels.  Usually they start out by apologizing for the state of their calluses.  If that sounds familiar you will empathize with these men and women.

The main culprits for this problem lay in the weather, here in the Okanagan the air is VERY dry (remember we live in a desert).  In the winter it is also dry, but our feet are usually wrapped up in socks and warm shoes or boots protecting them from the drying effects of the air and the artificial heating.  But with the warmer weather comes the desire to walk around in sandals as often as possible (it’s only natural) or even bare feet.  So now our feet are subject to the air sucking the moisture out of our soles all day and night.  Other causes are having naturally dry skin and some can be from a fungal infection (athletes foot) this fungus loves the perspiration of our feet. The fungus peels away at the skin allowing more and more skin to be available to the dry air. 

What to do?  Here are some handy tips which will take next to no time (as all women are to busy already):

Purchase a good quality foot file, like the estheticians use they are about $7 and will last you many many years.  Don’t be tempted to use a razor or scissors to cut off this area of skin.  Cutting or shaving will only make it grow back stronger in response to protect itself.  I know that many estheticians use these in pedicures but if you research this issue on the internet or health resources you will find that this practice is outlawed in 22 US states and many countries around the world.

Use the foot file every day, this way the skin cannot build up and become a big problem.  You can use them wet or dry and while many feel that dry is superior, I find whichever is easier for you to do daily will be best as frequency is more important.  For most clients I recommend that they put a little soap on the file and use it to wash their feet, they have to do this daily any way and therefore is not really an extra step.  Just for 10 or 20 seconds each day is usually enough for maintenance.

Apply a rich foot cream at night (when in bed is often best so it soaks overnight and doesn’t become walked over the floor) this will take only one minute per day.  Place an old hand towel under for a few minutes while you relax or read.  Creams with shea butter or mango butter are good choices as they will have deep moisturizing qualities that last well.

If there is no improvement in 2 weeks you may have a fungal condition, have your naturopath or Doctor check it for you.  Tea tree or lavender oils are great anti fungal treatments for this or you can use something from the drug store.  Be sure to treat your shoes with a spray or powder as well so you don’t re-infect yourself and have other members of your family look at their feet too.

Have a professional pedicure at least once each summer if possible; the esthetician can get the majority of it under control for you. You should be able to take it from there.  If your feet are quite bad right now you may wish to do so first and then start your maintenance plan.

Just adding a frequent file and moisturizing to your feet will bring back your feet and heels to the soft, touchable toes you wish you had.

Written by Deanna Klan

Deanna Klan has enjoyed being a licensed esthetician since 1986 and she combines her love of natural organic essences and healing energies at her salon. She can be reached at Daydream Esthetics Studio, 26-88 Duncan Ave W, Penticton, 250 490-1233 - Email:

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