BETHESDA, Md., June 28, 2000 - The arrival of summer brings many things - among them swimming pools, vacations, beach trips and bare feet. What many people do not realize is that with each of these summertime activities comes a variety of potential foot problems.� To help Americans protect their feet this summer, the podiatric physicians of the American Podiatric Medical Association offer the following summer foot care tips:

1.	Wear shoes, flip flops or aqua shoes around the pool, on the beach and in the locker room to prevent injuries and conditions such as athlete's foot and warts. Avoid walking barefoot whenever possible.
2.	When applying sunscreen, remember your feet - especially the tops.
3.	Keep feet dry and clean when out of the water, and apply a topical anti-fungal medication on any cracking or peeling of the skin. Be sure to wash feet daily and examine them for signs of injury or infection.
4.	Take advantage of the warm weather and walk. This is the best form of exercise for your feet.
5.	When traveling in a car or plane, periodically flex your feet at the ankles, wiggle your toes, unlace your shoes if your feet swell and keep your legs uncrossed. Move around if possible.
6.	When exercising, wear socks made of acrylic fiber and lightly powder your feet to keep them dry.� Choose shoes that are comfortable and fit properly, and do not wear the same shoes every day.� Shoes need a 24-hour time frame to completely dry out from wear.
7.	Treat your feet well after a long day of sightseeing, shopping or hiking: massage them, soak them in lukewarm water and keep them elevated for ten minutes to take some of the stress off your circulatory system.
8.	For a special treat, store vitamin E cream in the refrigerator and apply it to your feet at the end of the day.
9.	Trim toenails straight across, leaving the nails slightly longer than the ends of your toes.� Use nail polish only for special occasions.
10.	At the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle, seek medical attention from a podiatric physician.� The foot is not just a beauty concern, and foot pain is not normal!

People with diabetes should take extra precautions to protect their feet. Minor injuries can quickly become infected and, if left untreated, can lead to amputation. If you have diabetes, NEVER walk barefoot and see a podiatric physician at least yearly for a checkup.

For more information on foot care, visit www.apma.org�on the Internet, or call 1-800-FOOTCARE (1-800-366-8227) to request a free brochure.

Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association is the nation's leading professional society for foot and ankle specialists. The association has component socies in 53 locations in the U.S. and its Territories and a membership of more than 10,000 doctors of podiatric medicine.