Protecting Your Feet from the Summer Sun’s UV

July is UV Safety Month, so we at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group are reminding you to put on that sunscreen! We often remember to slather SPF on our faces, arms, and legs, but there’s one vulnerable area that often gets overlooked: our feet and ankles. But wait, why are the feet so susceptible to the sun? Continue reading to find out!

Sunburn on the Feet

The tops of your feet and ankles are prime targets for sunburn, especially when wearing open-toed shoes or flip-flops. It’s easy to forget them when applying sunscreen, yet the skin here is delicate. A sunburned foot can be incredibly painful and make walking or wearing shoes uncomfortable for days.

Beyond the immediate discomfort, every sunburn increases your long-term risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancer

Speaking of melanoma, the feet are a common site for skin cancers that often go undetected because they’re not regularly inspected. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and it can develop on the soles of the feet or even underneath a toenail, where it might be mistaken for a bruise or fungal infection.

The lack of hair follicles and generally lighter skin pigmentation on the tops of the feet can make them particularly vulnerable to UV radiation damage.

Dehydration and Swelling

Dehydration is not just a lack of water intake. Intense summer heat and prolonged exposure contribute to overall body dehydration. And when you’re dehydrated, your body’s fluid balance can be disrupted, which can worsen swelling in your feet and ankles.

This can also lead to painful foot and calf muscle cramps, which might strike during or after a day spent in the sun.

Exacerbating Existing Conditions

The sun is an amplifier. For instance, sun exposure can further dry out the skin on your feet and worsen cracked heels. While not a direct cause, sunburn peeling on the feet can create tiny entry points for athlete’s foot or other fungal infections.

And if you have photosensitive inflammatory conditions, like some forms of lupus, intense sun exposure can potentially trigger flares that affect your joints, including those in the feet.

Protecting Your Feet from the Sun

Putting it on once is not enough. Since feet get the dirtiest, reapply sunscreen frequently, especially after swimming or sweating. Also, choose shoes or sandals that offer more coverage when prolonged sun exposure is expected, and seek shade during peak UV hours.

And make it a point to inspect your feet, including the soles and under your toenails, for any suspicious moles or lesions this summer.

If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.