July is known as Ultraviolet Safety Month. During this time, the mission is to spread awareness about how important it is to protect our eyes and skin from the side effects of U.V. rays. People tend to forget about their feet, however, the skin on our feet is just as vulnerable to harmful U.V. rays. Let’s go over what you need to know to have a safe and fun summer.

WHAT’S THE DANGER?

Lengthened exposure to U.V. rays that can come from natural sources like the sun or artificial sources like a tanning bed can cause most skin cancers. The most common form of cancer to develop on your feet is malignant melanoma. Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the skin that produce pigmentation (coloration). It is also called malignant melanoma because it spreads to other areas of the body as it grows beneath the surface of the skin.

Melanoma in the foot or ankle often goes unnoticed during its earliest stage, when it would be more easily treated. By the time melanoma of the foot or ankle is diagnosed, it frequently has progressed to an advanced stage, accounting for a higher mortality rate. It makes it extremely important to follow prevention and early detection measures involving the feet as well as other parts of the body.

WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTION MEASURES?

• Choose the right sunscreen: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that each person wears a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) that is at least 15 and they should cover UV-A and UV-B rays.
  Cover up: If you are going to be out in the sun, don’t wear flip-flops. Instead, wear footwear that covers your skin.
• Stay in the Shade: Because midday is when the sun is at its most intense, try staying in a shaded area from 10 am to 4 pm to help protect your skin.

You can count on the Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC foot doctors, to care for your feet using a full range of conservative and surgical therapies. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele, serve patients of all ages with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, including on-site digital x-ray, and ultrasound, diabetic shoes, and digital scanning for custom orthotics.