Summer is in full swing and as usual, it’s difficult to beat the heat in Chicago. With people bringing out their flip-flops and heading to the beach, it’s important to protect against sunburned feet. That means remembering to use your sunscreen!
When it comes to sun protection, our feet are frequently neglected. Although the skin on our feet might seem more resilient, it’s just as vulnerable to sun damage, premature aging, and cancer as the skin on the rest of our body.
Continue reading to learn about the best ways to protect your feet from sunburn this summer season and why it’s so important.
Benefits of Using Sunscreen On Your Feet
Sunscreen not only aids in avoiding UV damage but also helps preserve the health and appearance of your feet. By applying sunscreen, you can safely bask in the sun while preventing blisters, burns, and age spots.
How To Apply Sunscreen Effectively
When you apply sunscreen, you should be lathering up from head to toe (Yes, even sunburn on your toes is possible). Whether at the pool, beach or just walking around town in sandals, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Apply sunscreen on the tops and bottoms of your feet. You might not think the soles of your feet will see much daylight, but if you’re laying out on the sand or a beach chair, you’ll want to wear sunscreen there, too!
Protecting Against Skin Cancer
While there are plenty of ways to promote healing after getting a bad sunburn on your feet, it’s best to prevent sunburn entirely.
The effects of sun damage can range from painful burns and peeling skin to more serious issues, like an elevated risk of skin cancer. Although your feet may not always be visible, they should never be forgotten when it comes to safeguarding against UV rays.
Most people know that getting too much sun exposure throughout your life puts you at a higher risk of skin cancer. Other risk factors can include a family history of skin cancer and having fair skin. Even if you are considered low-risk, you can still develop skin cancer anywhere on your body.
Check Your Feet Regularly
One of the best ways to protect your health is to identify and address skin issues as soon as they arise. A good way to do this is to conduct regular at-home skin checks.
Check your feet and toes for any signs of skin cancer, especially if you frequently wear open-toed shoes and sandals. Some things to watch for are unusual moles or spots anywhere on the foot (even your toenails and soles). Sometimes, cancer beneath the nail can show up as a black or brown streak. Other times, cancer might show up as a skin lesion or scaly patch.
If you do notice any abnormalities, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. Early skin cancer detection is crucial to your well-being and fast treatment could help save your life.
Seek Medical Attention for Foot & Ankle Conditions
Sometimes, sunburn happens even when you’re doing your best to protect against it. If you’ve suffered severe sunburn on your feet and ankles, visit our skilled team at Mitchell Foot & Ankle. Our podiatrists in Hyde Park offer comprehensive care to address all your foot health concerns.
Whether you have sunburn on your foot, ankle pain that won’t go away, or a more serious condition, we can help! To make an appointment, call us at (773) 324-3338 or contact us online.