If your feet tend to swell during the warmer weather, you should know that this is quite common. Here are some helpful tips from Dr.Hubert Lee to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
With spring officially arriving later this week, many of us will be excited to be able to spend more time strolling around in sandals or flip flops or even walking barefoot on a beach. While some of us may routinely use sunscreen when going outside, how many of us actually apply sunscreen to our feet?
The foot is susceptible to all forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin cancer is the most common form of all cancers diagnosed in the US, and approximately 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their life. The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma, which is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer deaths.
What to Look For
Melanoma is a tumor of melanocytes, which are cells responsible for the color of our skin. Remember the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma.
Asymmetry – the lesion is asymmetric; one half is different from the other half
Border – the borders are irregular and jagged
Color – the color is uneven with different shades of brown and/or black
Diameter – the diameter of the lesion is greater than 5 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
Evolving – the lesion evolves in appearance over time
Check your skin regularly including the bottom of your feet and in between your toes for any abnormal looking moles or freckles. Early detection is critical for the treatment of skin cancer. If you notice any changing areas of pigmentation that display any of these warning signs, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Prevention
Spring and summer are a great time to enjoy the outdoors as long as you take a few steps to protect your skin. Prevention of skin cancer requires minimizing exposure to ultraviolet rays. Avoid sun exposure during the peak daytime hours. Wear sun-protective clothing. And of course, apply sunscreen to your exposed skin including your feet.
Statistics from www.cdc.gov.
You Might Also Enjoy...
If your feet tend to swell during the warmer weather, you should know that this is quite common. Here are some helpful tips from Dr.Hubert Lee to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
This week we celebrate July 4th or Independence Day. But it’s not a day exempt from injuries. Today, Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists, in Bellevue, WA, is sharing his tips for keeping your feet safe this July 4th.
The best way to protect your toes and feet from injury is to wear shoes. However, if your summer just wouldn't be the same without walking barefoot in your backyard or feeling the sand between your toes, you can make it safer by following these tips:
Caring for your feet is crucial because they help keep you physically active. And because they can affect the rest of the body, they provide a better quality of life. Here are six foot care tips
Regardless of whether you are out and about, or nestled at home, keep in mind that good foot health is vitally important to overall health, so be sure to give them proper support! Here are 4 helpful tips
With summer right around the corner, our feet will be needing a little extra love and care to stay healthy. Today Dr. Hubert Lee, of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing his top 5 tips