Fun in the Sun for Your Feet

09 Jun Fun in the Sun for Your Feet

Well it seems here in Nassau County that it’s suddenly summer! That means many of our patients at Great Neck Family Foot Care will be heading out to the many beautiful Long Island beaches. A day at the beach is fun and relaxing but there are a few precautions that our podiatrists, Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano would like you to take to protect your family’s feet:

Watch where you walk: Jellyfish, glass, sharp shells can all be found along the shore. If you are going for a beach walk, consider wearing water shoes or flip flops. If you do get a puncture wound, don’t go into the water—bacteria in the ocean (or a lake or pool for that matter) can enter the wound and cause an infection. Jellyfish tentacles should be removed from the foot (being careful not to sting your hands in the process) and then baking soda, vinegar or meat tenderizer should be applied to reduce the pain and swelling. If a wound on your foot doesn’t heal after a few days or you notice it getting red or there is any pus or other discharge, call our Great Neck office and make an appointment to get the wound checked.

Note: If you are diabetic, you should contact us as soon as the injury occurs as wounds can have serious medical consequences for patients with this disease.

Don’t feel the burn: Blacktop, sand, sidewalks and board walks can all heat up to high temperatures and retain the heat for a long time. Don’t step out on them barefoot! Also, although often forgotten, the skin on your feet is just as susceptible to sunburn as the rest of your body and bad burns can lead to skin cancer on your feet. Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet at the same rate and frequency you put it on the other parts of your body.

Get proper support for sand sports: Beach volleyball, running along shore and other seaside fitness activities and games are great fun and can give your muscles a good workout because of the shifting of the sand. However, this “uneven surface” can also put strain on your arches and heels and increase the risk of ankle sprains. If you have a known arch or heel condition or previous ankle sprain injuries (and even if you don’t) it’s a good idea to wear supportive athletic shoes while engaging in these activities to minimize the risk of injury.

Happy summer from all of us at the Great Neck office and, as always, if you have questions or concerns about your foot and ankle health, contact us at: 516-482-5999.