Avoid the Beach Day Blues
Baby, it’s hot out there! At NY Foot Health, many of our patients will head to some of our state's beaches and lakes to cool off during these humid summer days.
Prevent your fun day at the beach from becoming a flop by taking a few precautions to protect your feet:
Burn Notice
The sun beating down on the asphalt in the parking lot and the sandy shores of the beach can cause surfaces to become hot enough to give the skin on your feet a second-degree burn in just a few seconds. Plan ahead and slip on a pair of shoes before heading across the parking lot or down the beach to find your perfect spot.
Another kind of burn to the skin to avoid is sunburn. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to the tops and bottoms of your feet every time you apply it to the rest of your body. A water-resistant variety is a good choice, but remember, it's not waterproof. You must reapply after 40 or 80 minutes, depending on your sunscreen type.
Don’t Go Home with Foot Pain
Walking on sand is different from walking on pavement. Sand is soft and gives when you walk on it. Long walks on this type of surface can inflame the posterior tibial tendon, whose primary role is to support the arch and foot when you walk. A sign of this is happening is a sharp, pulling pain inside the arch or ankle. The shifting, uneven nature of sand poses a potential danger for popular beach games, such as volleyball or frisbee. If you’re playing barefoot or in flip-flops, twisting an ankle is easy. If you plan to be active on your beach day, your best bet is to pack a good pair of sneakers or walking shoes in your bag.
Watch Your Step
Another good reason to wear water shoes or sneakers at the beach is to minimize your risk of cuts or puncture wounds from sharp objects hidden in the sand. It’s also not uncommon for jellyfish to wash up on an ocean beach, and even though they may be dead, the stinger can still hurt you. Keeping your feet covered—especially for trips to the restroom or public changing areas—will help you avoid contracting a fungal infection like athlete’s foot, which is spread by direct contact.
If your beach day does leave you with an unwelcome injury, rash, or foot pain, be sure to contact your podiatrist if it doesn’t resolve in a few days. Don’t currently have a podiatrist? You can find one near you in our online directory. To learn more about how to protect your feet, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.