If you’ve ever set foot outside in Las Vegas during most of the year, you know that this is a pretty sunny city. With almost 300 days of complete or partial sunshine, this is one of the sunniest cities in the whole country. All that sunshine is great and allows people to go out and enjoy many different activities, but it does increase your risk for sunburns—particularly in places people forget are vulnerable, like your feet. Unfortunately, your feet are just as at risk as the rest of you. You have to take active steps toward protecting feet from sunburn to avoid damage.
Protecting feet from sunburn issues isn’t hard. Here are a few simple ways you can do so as part of your normal, daily routine:
-
Keep Feet Covered – Sandals are great for warm weather, but they also expose your feet. Wear socks and enclosed shoes when you can to keep harmful rays from damaging your skin.
-
Avoid the Strongest Sunlight – Don’t stand or walk around outside in the hottest parts of the day if you can help it. The sun is at its strongest then, and it far more likely to hurt you.
-
Use Sunscreen – Apply sunscreen liberally to the tops and bottoms of your feet before putting on your shoes and going outside. Use strong sunscreen if your skin is fair and likely to burn.
A mild sunburn may not seem like a big deal, but the potential for long-term consequences is bigger than you think. Sun damage can lead to cancerous changes in your skin, and your feet are not exempt from this. A simple sunburn can be more painful than you realize, too, making it very difficult to wear shoes or even walk around in some cases.
If you do develop a sunburn, don’t suffer with smarting skin. Take care of the problem and help yourself heal. Make sure you check your lower limbs for signs of more extensive sun damage, too. You can ask us at Absolute Foot Care Specialists in Las Vegas for more information about protecting feet from sunburn, as well as help with painful foot skin issues. Just call (702) 839-2010 to make an appointment.