Published by:
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
As millions of Americans hit the beach this summer, the American
College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 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 can 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 the pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few
days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Diabetes risks
People who have diabetes face serious foot safety risks at the
beach. The disease causes poor blood
circulation and numbness in the feet. A
person with diabetes 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. People with diabetes 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.
Please call the Foot,
Ankle & Lower Leg Center office in Las Vegas and the Henderson area anytime
@702-878-2455 between Monday – Friday (9am
to 5pm) and we would be happy to set up an appointment for you. Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com.
When
pain or injury occurs, you deserve highly personalized treatment using the most
advanced techniques. At the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center (FallCenter), you’ll enjoy an unsurpassed level of quality
care. Dr. Ricciardi, Dr. Shalev and Dr.
McLeod are proud to provide comprehensive solutions for all types of foot and
ankle problems.
Your quality
care begins the minute you arrive, as our staff greets you by name and answers
your questions. Our team of foot and
ankle specialists will inspire your confidence and their genuine warmth and
compassion will earn your trust.
You’ll receive
a prompt and thorough assessment, including on-site diagnostic ultrasound and
digital x-rays. Your treatment plan is
designed to resolve your condition without surgery whenever possible. When surgery is needed, your feet are in the
hands of leading physicians with expertise in the latest minimally invasive
techniques. As a result, you’ll be back
on your feet and back to your active life as quickly as possible.
Without proper
treatment, an injury or chronic condition can keep you from performing even the
simplest everyday tasks. To meet
patients’ most critical health needs, Dr. Ricciardi, Dr. Shalev and Dr.
McLeod have developed the following “Center of Excellence” treatment programs:
Bunion Solutions, Heel Pain, Diabetic Foot Care and Sports Performance Center.
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