'Tis the Season for... Sunburned Feet?

It’s pool and beach season and you can’t wait to get some sun and fun. You’ve got your flip flops and your sunscreen … but are you protecting those fabulous feet from skin cancer?

Skin cancer on the feet can occur anywhere — the tops of the feet, between the toes, under the nails, and on the soles.

Did you know that melanoma symptoms are often diagnosed by podiatrists? Members of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA) were recently polled to find out if they’d ever found melanoma or skin cancer during a routine foot examination. Seventy-five percent said they had.

When melanoma is found on the foot, survival rates are lower because it often is not discovered until it has progressed. When not treated in the early stages, the fatality rate for melanoma is approximately 50 percent within five years of diagnosis.

When applying sunscreen, don’t neglect your feet and toes!

“Everyone can protect themselves by avoiding the sun, but if that doesn’t cut it on a beautiful day then apply a high level sunscreen to the feet and toes. Reapply sunscreen often as it wears away over the course of a couple of hours and washes away if you go swimming,” said Dr. Robin Ross, president, NYSPMA. “If you see any unusual marks or discoloration on your feet or toenails, see a podiatrist, the foot doctor specialist, who will be able to expertly assess the situation.”

Next: Signs of Melanoma & What if you don’t want to use sunscreen?

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Angela N.

5:02PM PDT on May 8, 2012

Thanks!

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Sue H.

9:30AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

I've always been a barefoot girl in spring and summer, this past summer, for the first time ever, I did get sunburn on my feet and still have a "tan line" from my flip flops. I must admit that over the years I've been pretty casual about making sure my feet were covered in sunscreen, but I will not make that mistake again. Climate change not real?? My burnt feet say otherwise.

Jae E.

11:33AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

thank you

Jennifer C.

5:14PM PDT on Jun 15, 2011

Wonderful article. Thanks for sharing.

Regiskd R.

12:18AM PDT on Jun 6, 2011

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Brenda T.

1:35AM PDT on Jun 5, 2011

Don't forget to protect your elbows!!

Nasrin T.

12:43AM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

thank you for this article.

Kristin G.

11:24AM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

I didn't know about under the toe nails!

Jaclyn S.

5:45PM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

I, too, usually forget about my feet when it comes to SPF. Not good! Thanks for the reminder. I've seen a lotta bad sunburn on folks already, and we're hardly into June!

Ke T.

12:36PM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

I usually forget to apply sunscreen to my feet as well. Damn.