Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee
President, Heart Care Foundation of India
Going barefoot in monsoon can be risky. People who take off their shoes and socks may suffer injuries such as cuts and puncture wounds. There may be sharp objects under the water that cause injury. In some cases, these injuries develop infections that may require surgery.
Safety tips
• Get vaccinated against tetanus. Teenagers and adults should get booster shots every 10 years.
• Wear sandals while walking in rains or around swimming pools. They’ll help protect against cuts and abrasions and prevent contact with viruses and bacteria that can cause athlete’s foot, plantar warts and other foot problems.
• Many worm infestations may occur through the infected water.
• Fungal infections of the foot are very common.
• Diabetics should never be barefoot, even indoors, because they may not “feel” a foot injury.
• If you suffer a puncture wound in the foot, see a doctor within 24 hours. A puncture wound must be cleaned properly and monitored throughout the healing process to avoid complications such as tissue and bone infections or damage to tendons or muscles in the foot.
• Regularly inspect your feet for signs of skin problems such as warts, calluses, ingrown toenails, suspicious moles, spots or freckles. The sooner they are detected, the easier they are to treat.
• Keep your feet dry always.
