4 Ways to Prevent Sneaky Sunburns

At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we know our Nature Coast patients are well-acquainted with the power of the sun and the damage it can cause to your skin. However, there are times when we all find ourselves with a bit of pink skin in places on the body where we didn't know we were getting sun exposure. August is Sun Safety Month, and we'd like to offer some tips to help you stay protected in situations where you wouldn't necessarily think you were in danger of sunburn.

1. Apply sunscreen to your feet on errand days. First, a reminder the skin on your feet is just as susceptible to the sun's UVA and UVB rays as the skin on the rest of your body. And, even on days when your to-do list features shopping, a trip to the post office, and lunch with a friend, you can end up with sunburn on your feet even though there isn't one long exposure. It's best to apply the sunscreen to your skin about 15 minutes before you put your sandals on to go out.

2. Wear clothing with SPF protection even in the shade. You may be deceived when standing under a shady tree or an awning, thinking you must not be getting much sun because you don't feel very hot. These shade providers are a good start at limiting the amount of sun exposure you get, but they don't provide total protection. The sun's rays can still penetrate or reflect off the pool water and get to your skin. Lightweight clothing treated with an SPF product can keep you cool and protected.

3. Reapply sunscreen after swimming When you're at the pool or beach, water-resistant sunscreen is recommended but remember; no sunscreen is waterproof. A good rule of thumb is to put more sunscreen on after spending time in the water or after two hours have passed if you don't take a dip. It's also a good idea after heavy physical activity like sports or yard work as the sweat can also cause the sunscreen to come off.

4. Add protective covering to your windows. If you're in the car frequently or travel by public transportation, you may find yourself with an unexpected sunburn. While the driver's window has a treatment screening UV rays, the passenger windows are not. Even sitting in the sun's rays coming through your windows at home can result in a burn. Add a film to the windows that block UV rays or change your seat!

Living in our sunshine state, we need to be extra vigilant about checking our skin regularly. If you find a new freckle, more or sunspot, or you notice an existing one looks like it's changing in any way, make an appointment at our Hudson office (727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799) so that our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, can examine your toe and determine the best course of treatment.