MD Podiatrist Reports Seeing More Burns from Barefoot Walking

Dr. Michaels said she will see patients who come in because of a painful spot on the bottom of their feet without realizing they suffered a burn. He asks if they’ve been at the beach, walking on pavement, or barefoot at the pool. “Especially with these really hot temperatures lately I’ve been seeing more burns,” he said.

Third-degree burns on the feet “could be devastating, they could be terrible,” said Dan Michaels, DPM. That’s especially true for children or people with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or neuropathy, he said. Dr. Michaels, said travelers should invest in the proper footwear for their activity, whether that’s hiking shoes or even water shoes.