By Dr. Lori DeBlasi
In Southwest Florida, the beach is a frequent destination for locals and tourist. The sand, water and all that goes along with them are very enjoyable. But they can be harmful too. Here are some things to keep in mind during your next trip to enjoy the sandy beaches, gulf waters and sunshine.
Burns on the BOTTOM of Your Feet
Walking barefoot on the hot sand or asphalt can cause a burn to the bottoms of your feet. The sand gets hot enough to cause a first- or second-degree burn. Sand temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is only 75 degrees. Both first- and second-degree burns will occur when the skin is exposed to a temperature greater than 111 degrees Fahrenheit. Even a noticeably brief time of exposure to these temperatures can cause a burn to form.
First-degree: These are superficial burns that present with tenderness and redness. They involve the top layer of skin, the epidermis. First degree burns usually heal quickly and do not produce scarring.
Second-degree: These are partial thickness burns and can be superficial or deep. They can cause severe pain. Often, there will be blisters associated with the redness of the skin. This type of burn may result in scarring.
Burns on the TOP of Your Feet
Do not forget to apply sunscreen to your feet! Many people forget to protect the skin on top of the feet and/or forget to reapply it regularly after going into water. For optimal results, apply sunscreen 30 minutes PRIOR to going into the sun. And remember to reapply regularly. The skin on your feet is susceptible to certain cancers, although rare, including melanoma. Another common skin condition from sun exposure are actinic keratoses or stucco lesions. These can convert to squamous cell skin cancer also. The American Dermatology Association recommends an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays.
Puncture wounds and cuts
Going barefoot can leave you at risk to step on something at the beach. It is not always obvious what you are stepping hidden in the sand or water below. Shells, rocks, broken glass, and other coastal debris can lead to puncture wounds and cuts. If this occurs, you should immediately rinse it out with soapy water ensuring all sand and bacteria has been flushed out of the wound. Apply a topical antibiotic cream and cover it with a band aide. If it is a large and deep wound, have it evaluated by a podiatrist as soon as possible to ensure that no ligaments, tendons, or nerves of the foot have been damaged. You may require an oral antibiotic. To states the obvious, watch where you are walking. Also, consider wearing aqua shoes in the water if there is rough terrain.
Jellyfish
Approximately 200,000 stings from jellyfish are reported each year in Florida. Jellyfish can wash up onto the sand. You can also come in contact them in the water. Their tentacles reach further and beyond their visible central bodies whether on the sand or in the water. You can be quite a distance away and still get stung by their tentacles. You may accidentally step on a tentacle while taking a closer to one that washed up on the shore. The tentacles can wrap around the foot and create a sting anywhere it touches. Do not touch them!
If a jellyfish has stung you, carefully remove the tentacles without touching them with your fingers. Use a towel, or other article of clothing, and gently unwrap the tentacle away from your skin. Rinse the area with vinegar or seawater. Vinegar neutralizes the stinging cells left behind on the skin. DO NOT use freshwater or urine! These may make the pain worse by stimulating the stinging cells further.
Also, a mixture of saltwater and baking soda will also help stop the burning feeling. Ice, hydrocortisone cream or a lidocaine spray/ointment may help any lingering pain. The discomfort and redness from a sting usually fade quickly. Occasionally, a painful rash may persist for weeks. Continue to apply hydrocortisone cream until it resolves. Seek medical advice if no improvement or worsening occurs.
Sea urchins
Sea urchins are not aggressive creatures and do not really attack humans. Sea urchin stings usually occur because of an accidental encounter between a human and the sea urchin. If the sea urchin feels threatened, it will defend itself. Some urchin’s spines contain venom and others do not. The venom will cause a burning sensation. Regardless of the presence of venom, the spines can be painful and must be removed. In some cases, if the spines are shallow, you can remove them yourself or with the assistance of family/friends. First, soak in hot water to alleviate the pain and soften the needles. Pick out as many of the pieces as you can with a tweezer. Sea urchin spines often break off under the skin. Soak in vinegar which will soften the spines. The urchin spines will either dissolve under the skin or lift to the surface. Continue to soak the affected area until the spines are gone. Rinse with soap and water.
If there are any spines that you cannot remove or are too painful to remove, you should make an appointment with a doctor, who can remove the spines.
Stingrays
Stingrays often lire in shallow water along our coasts. If you startle or step on a stingray, it will try to defend itself. The sting ray’s tail is jagged and will inject venom. Approximately 1,500 people are injured by stingrays in U.S. waters every year. A stingray injury is very painful. One or two people die per year when a barb pierces the chest cavity, as was the case with Australian zookeeper, Steve Irwin.
Watch for the Purple Flags on the Beach. This means dangerous marine life, like jellyfish and stingrays, have been spotted in the area. Also, pay attention when signs are posted at the beach saying to shuffle when walking in the water. Shuffling of your feet creates gentle vibrations that alert stingrays to your presence.
Diabetic disclaimer:
Diabetics are “At Risk” and need to be especially careful when going to the beach. A small foot injury can easily become a much larger problem. Anyone with Diabetes must protect their feet. NEVER go barefoot. Strap or thong sandals can rub and causea blister or abrasion. Diabetics can develop decreased feeling in their feet, diabetic neuropathy, and they cannot feel the sand is hot or that they are stepping onto something harmful until it is too late. A closed water shoe is likely to be protective in and out of the water. However, all diabetics must check their feet regularly at the beach and when they get home to ensure there have not been any problems that may have developed. Always, seek out medical treatment if there are any problems, big or small.
It is not all bad!!
There ARE benefits to walking on the beach. You can get a better overall workout for your feet and leg muscles because the resistance the sand gives requires you to use the full range of motion in walking or running. With your muscles working more, you will burn more calories. You can burn up to 50% more calories walking on the sand than walking on a firm surface. The sand can also function as a natural exfoliant for the soles of your feet. Last, but certainly not least, this setting can be relaxing and may reduce stress. Take in the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore and enjoy!
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Lori DeBlasi, DPM
Dr. Lori DeBlasi is a board-certified podiatrist at
Family Foot & Leg Center at the Colonial Blvd.
office. She is accepting new patients.
To make an appointment, call 239-430-3668 or visit www.NaplesPodiatrist.com.
1645 Colonial Blvd,
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 430 – 3668 (FOOT)
www.NaplesPodiatrist.com