away during mowing .

• If an accident occurs , even a minor one , consult a foot and ankle surgeon right away .

Wear Sunscreen Many people skip their feet when applying sunscreen , but did you know that the skin on your feet is highly susceptible to melanoma ? In fact , it ’ s the most diagnosed and fatal site of this form of skin cancer . Other types of skin cancer can also be found on the foot , including squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma . To keep your feet safe this summer :

• Lather up with sunscreen from head to toe — literally .

• Check your feet and toes regularly for abnormal

looking moles or freckles , even under toenails and on your soles . Promptly schedule an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon to have suspicious marks examined .

• Schedule routine exams so your foot and ankle surgeon can track suspicious , changing marks . Early detection is key .

Limit Flimsy Footwear

While it ’ s nice to let feet breathe in flip flops and they ’ re a great choice for locker rooms and pools to avoid fungus and athlete ’ s foot , they shouldn ’ t be your main footwear of choice all summer . Flip flops lack arch support and stability , so wearing them too often can cause stress on the

plantar fascia — the band of tissue extending from the heel to the base of the toes . This can result in plantar fasciitis , causing heel pain upon getting up in the morning and after inactivity . To avoid developing issues , which can take a long time to treat and subside , consider wearing structured sandals with proper shock absorption and arch support . If you can ’ t live without flip flops , wear them sparingly to keep your feet in good shape . And if you ’ ll be traveling , pack tennis shoes for sightseeing , hikes and other weight-bearing activities .

Be Mindful of Diabetes People living with

diabetes should never go barefoot , because their nervous system may not “ feel ” an injury and their circulatory system will struggle to heal breaks in the skin .

“ Most patients living with diabetes know they shouldn ’ t walk barefoot but can be more inclined to disregard this precaution in summer . However third-degree burns on the soles of feet can occur in a matter of minutes ,” says Dr . Dairman .

This summer , be smart . Take care of your feet so they take care of you . If you suffer a foot and ankle injury this summer , visit FootHealthFacts . org for valuable foot and ankle health information and to find a physician near you .