The summer is often filled with trips to the lake and strolls through the park, but you need to be careful when exposing your skin to direct sunlight for hours on end. Most people remember to apply sunscreen to their arms, face and shoulders, but oftentimes your feet can get overlooked. Below, we provide some tips for taking care of your feet before and after a sunburn.
Preventing Foot Sunburn
Our unofficial blog motto is “prevention is much preferred to treatment,” so we decided to talk about prevention before discussing treatment options. As we alluded to above, sunscreen is one of the best was to prevent a sunburn, but it only works if you apply it!
If you are planning on spending a day in the sun without shoes, make sure you lube up before you go out, and reapply every 4-6 hours, especially if you’ll be in a pool or lake.
It can be easy to remember to pack the SPF 30 when you’re headed to the lake, but summertime is also sandal season for many people. Sandals usually leave a good portion of your feet susceptible to burns, so switch up your footwear regularly. It may be painful to put your socks on Monday if you spent the whole weekend outside in sandals!
In summary, the two best ways to prevent foot sunburn is to:
1. Wear sunscreen.
2. Limit your sandal use, especially during days with a lot of direct sunlight.
Treating Sunburnt Feet
Burnt feet are no fun. They can make normal activities like walking, running or wearing shoes unbearable, so follow the above tips to prevent burns. In the unfortunate event that you suffer burns to your feet or toes, take steps to alleviate the pain.
Remember, feet can be sunburnt even if they aren’t red. Since the skin on your toes is more sensitive, any of the following can be signs of sunburn.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Peeling
- Blisters
- Discoloration
If you end up with sunburn on your feet, run your feet under cool water. After you’re done soaking you feet, apply a lotion or gel that contain aloe to the area. Aloe is a plant substance that helps soothe and treat burns, so stock up if you live in a particularly sunny area.
When you’re out of the sun, limit your sock wearing when possible. This will allow your foot to “breathe” better and the sock won’t irritate your sensitive skin. Keep your feet out of sunlight for 24-48 hours after a burn, and if your symptoms worsen, seek medical attention.
So enjoy the weather this summer, but always make sure you protect your feet!