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Don't Let Your Feet Ruin Your Day at the Beach
Category: Ankles and Feet
Jul 2, 2006
CHICAGO, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of Americans hit the beach over the July Fourth weekend, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) offers these foot safety tips.
Puncture wounds and cuts: Wear shoes to protect your feet from
puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other
sharp objects. Don't go in the water if your skin gets cut - bacteria
in oceans and lakes can cause infection. A puncture wound should be
treated by a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours to avoid
complications.
Jellyfish stings: Remember that a jellyfish washed up on the beach can
still sting if you step on it. If their tentacles stick to the foot
or ankle, remove them, but protect your hands from getting stung too.
Vinegar, meat tenderizer or baking soda reduce pain and swelling. Most
jellyfish stings heal within days, but if they don't, see a doctor.
Sunburns: Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur
on the foot. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms
of your feet.
Burns: Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun.
Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if
you have diabetes.
Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain: Walking, jogging and playing
sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch
pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes
provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and
sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and
elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve
within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Diabetes risks: The 20 million Americans with diabetes face serious
foot safety risks at the beach. The disease causes poor blood
circulation and numbness in the feet. A diabetic may not feel pain
from a cut, puncture wound or burn. Any type of skin break on a
diabetic foot has the potential to get infected and ulcerate if it
isn't noticed right away. Diabetics should always wear shoes to the
beach, and remove them regularly to check for foreign objects like
sand and shells that can cause sores, ulcers and infections.
For information on these and other foot and ankle conditions, or to locate a foot and ankle surgeon, visit http://footphysicians.com/