The Risks of Sunburn on Your Feet
As summer sizzles throughout the state, we at NY Foot Health know that many people will be looking for a cool escape to some of our beautiful lakes and beaches or by taking a dip in a backyard pool. While this is a welcome reprieve from the heat, it's also prime time for exposure to harmful UV rays. Here, we share some information about the dangers of sunburn and what to do about it.
Every Burn is Bad
There are two kinds of UV rays—UVA and UVB. Both of these cause damage to your skin and increase your risk of all types of skin cancer, including deadly melanomas. Even if your skin is only a light shade of pink after a day in the sun, it is still a sign of a burn, and any burn means your skin has been injured. Below are some other facts about sunburn that you may not know:
· Use the UV index—the sun’s intensity varies by geographic location, time of day, and time of the year. The higher the UV index, the faster and more severely unprotected skin will burn. But even on low UV index days, there is still a risk for a sunburn—it just will take a little longer to happen.
· Tan isn’t better—it just means your skin has more melanin, a pigment that darkens your skin to protect it from UV rays. It is still an indicator of sun damage, however. People with less melanin or fair skin tend to burn more quickly.
· Even when the sun is not out, you can burn—up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
· Repeated sunburns raise your risk for cancer—research has shown that the UV rays that damage skin can also change a gene whose function is suppressing tumors. This means injured cells have less chance to repair before progressing to cancer.
Reducing Your Risk is Simple
Fortunately, you can do much to prevent harmful UV rays from damaging the skin on your feet and the rest of your body. Start by applying adequate sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 labeled “broad spectrum.” This means it will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—the hottest hours of the day and seek shade or use clothing with SPF outdoors.
Sunburn on your feet can be painful and debilitating. If you have severe blistering or observe signs of infection from a burn, you should seek medical treatment promptly.
If you need a podiatrist in your town, consult our online directory. To learn more about how to protect your feet from harm, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.