DERMATOLOGICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SKATING

Ice skating is very common in the winter months, especially in Canada. It can be done as a leisure activity, exercise, a hobby or even as as sport. The increasing demand for skating makes it likely that it could lead to injuries especially in the foot and ankle.

Ice skating involves three regions of expertise, those include: figure skating, speed skating and power skating. Skating is very similar to walking as it involves biphasic movements. Understanding the biomechanics of skating can help practitioners to help improve practitoners performance and overuse injuries. 

Individuals who wear skates without socks should be advised this is not a good practice. Wearing skates without socks sometimes feels better due to the rigidity and snugness of the skates however it could lead to podiatric dermatological problems including blisters corns, calluses, fungal infections of the skin and nails and even warts. Blisters are a huge problem seen in skaters due to the friction of the skates and the skin. To avoid this, a thin, well fitting performance sock with drying properties to help absorb moisture can help prevent these dermatological issues.

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.