As August heat reaches its peak, nothing sounds better than cooling off by the pool. But as a podiatrist, late summer is also the season I see a sharp surge in patients walking into my clinic with itchy, painful, or unsightly skin conditions on the soles of their feet.
Warm, damp pool decks and communal splash pads are absolute paradises for microscopic invaders. Before you pack your beach bag for your next swim session, here is what you need to know about "pool feet" and how to keep your soles safe through the rest of the season.
The Culprits: Plantar Warts vs. Athlete's Foot
When patients mention catching something at the pool, they are usually dealing with one of two culprits (or sometimes both):
1. Plantar Warts (HPV)
Plantar warts are caused by specific strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters through tiny cuts, scratches, or softened skin on the bottom of your feet. Read our blog Plantar Warts: What You Need to Know for more information.
- Appearance: Hard, grainy, or fleshy growths on the soles, heels, or toes, often with tiny black dots in the center (pinpoint clotted blood vessels).
- Sensation: Pain or tenderness when standing or walking, feeling like you are stepping on a tiny pebble inside your shoe.
2. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that thrives in warm, humid surroundings where moisture builds up between toes or across soles.
- Appearance: Red, peeling, or cracking skin, sometimes accompanied by tiny blisters.
- Sensation: Intense itching, stinging, or burning, immediately after taking off shoes and socks.
Why Pool Decks Are High-Risk Zones
The area surrounding a swimming pool combines three factors that pathogens love:
- Porous Concrete & Tile: Textured surfaces around pools prevent slipping, but they also create microscopic abrasions on wet, softened skin.
- Standing Moisture: Water pooling on decks creates an ideal ecosystem for fungi and viruses to survive outside a host for extended periods.
- Barefoot Traffic: Hundreds of barefoot swimmers walk the exact same pathways between the water, restrooms, and lounge chairs every day.
4 Rules to Protect Your Feet This Summer
Preventing foot infections does not mean skipping summer fun. Following a few simple precautions will protect your feet:
- Always Wear Sandals or Water Shoes: Never walk barefoot on public pool decks, in communal shower stalls, or inside locker rooms. Slide-on rubber sandals or water shoes act as a physical barrier against viruses and fungi.
- Dry Thoroughly Between Your Toes: Fungi love hidden moisture. When you dry off with your towel, pay extra attention to the spaces between each toe before putting your shoes back on.
- Change Out of Damp Socks and Shoes Promptly: If you put closed shoes on over damp feet, you create a dark, humid greenhouse for bacteria and fungi. Switch to clean, dry socks immediately after swimming.
- Don't Share Towels or Footwear: Warts and fungal spores spread easily through shared items. Give every family member their own color-coded towel and footwear.
When to Call a Professional
While most mild cases of athlete's foot respond well to over-the-counter antifungal sprays or creams, you should consult a podiatrist if a lesion or wart is painful, bleeding, or changing color, or if OTC treatments fail to clear up your symptoms within two weeks. Crucially, if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy, any new skin lesion requires immediate expert attention to prevent serious complications. Don't let a minor foot issue derail the rest of your summer, schedule a consultation with us today at Arya Foot & Ankle to get your feet healthy, comfortable, and back in action! We're open during lunch hours, and most weekdays to accommodate your busy schedule.
Author
Dr. Shylaja Arya
Dr. Arya is the owner of Arya Foot & Ankle, a podiatry practice that serves the greater Phoenix area with same day, Saturday, and lunch time appointments. She is a level 500 yoga instructor, tennis player, dog mom and shoe lover!
