Protect ion from the sun for your feet

Summer will be in full swing and the beach is an ever popular destination. A trip to the beach can be quite a production with a long list of items to remember to bring including the necessary sun protection items: umbrella, hats, sunglasses, protective clothing and sunscreen. Yet with all the preparation, sun protection of the feet is often overlooked with feet often forgotten when sunscreen is being applied. One reason may be that a person applies sunscreen before taking off their shoes or sandals and then forgets to apply sunscreen to the now exposed skin on the feet. An important part of sun protection anywhere on one’s body is to have a system to ensure one has applied sunscreen to exposed areas. For instance, you may choose to apply sunscreen beginning with your feet if you tend to forget your feet.

The sun’s rays are the most direct during the summer months.  Moreover, the angle that feet jut out from the body also increases their exposure to the sun’s rays, especially when the sun is high overhead. It may take only 15 minutes of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun to end up with painful sunburn. Prolonged sun exposure and sunburn increase one’s risk of skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the foot even beneath a toenail, between toes or on the sole. Be vigilant of any new or changing moles or bumps and bring any concerns to Nagler foot Center with Sherman Nagler.

Foot Protection from Houston’s Foot Doc Sherman Nagler

Apply Sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher, even if it is a cloudy day.
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of feet.
Avoid or limit time in the sun between 10 am and 2 pm, the sun’s peak intensity hours.
Limit barefoot walking.